I'm looking into a 16' Jon boat (probably new, but used might be acceptable) and a small 5-15 hp motor, I'm trying to find market prices... (yes, I am googling and trying Ebay too) What are you thoughts or experiences? How much is a new or used trailor, and the registration? Should it or does it have to be insured? Someone is offeering me an genuine "friend price" of $300 for a 1990 5hp Merc tiller, it's barely been used. It was an auxillary unit on a house boat and they haven't used it in 3-4 years. I was thinking that if the dude could actually get it to run that I might make an offer. Plz to help. Thx.

10/6/2005 6:17:36 PM

BTTT

10/7/2005 1:02:49 PM

That's a pretty square price on an outboard, IF it's guaranteed running and comes with a tank. I wouldn't personally pay more than 500 for a good running 5hp used.

If I were you, though, I would try to find at least a 9.9 or a 15. For a jon boat that size, it's nice to have extra. The 5 might plane it, but barely.

10/7/2005 1:35:42 PM

hey i am looking for one too.

10/7/2005 3:34:39 PM

I didn't even expect it to come close to planing... that's a pleasant statement. I'd prolly have it loaded faily heavy... I was just looking to do somewhat better than trolling speed.

10/7/2005 4:09:42 PM

Plz to bttt

10/12/2005 12:59:46 PM

BTTT

12/6/2005 1:39:52 AM

Yes I think that motor would be fine. and a good price too. Anything more than trolling is good. registration is like $30 i think but check the state site. Trailer titling may be more. A 16 ft jon boat is good size. should be more than enough for 2 people and gear. and beer. good luck.

12/6/2005 10:00:52 AM

I would look for a better motor then that Merc. If it was an AUX motor that means that when it was used it was going to be run very hard trying to get a house boat moving. Those ole carb motors can be pretty tricky and that motor is almost 20 years old. And a motor that has sat for that long might not start.

If you are going to buy a new hull, look for at Polar Kraft, they are really solid. Where do you plan on boating because 5hp might not be efficent for that size hull. I've had an 18 foot jon boat w/ a 40 Merc on it. W/ a 5hp motor you won't go fast and will burn a ton of fuel trying to push a loaded hull.

Don't skimp on a trailer. Karma will get you

[Edited on December 6, 2005 at 10:23 AM. Reason : I haven't been fishing in a couple of weeks ]

12/6/2005 10:20:27 AM

That is NOT "an ole carb motor". And no, they are not tricky, they are actually easier to fix and keep running than the new shit. Where are you using this boat, how far are you going? Jordan lake or bogue sound? 5 hp is plenty for cruising around a lake, but not too good for going long distances and navigating tidal currents. I have a 17' sailboat (1200 lbs with people) with a 3 hp on it, and it will cruise along decently, but in a hard running tide, forget it.

12/6/2005 10:49:06 AM

Well its not going to be fuel injected chief.

12/6/2005 10:56:09 AM

no, fortunately its not. Its going to have a plastic carb that comes apart in 5 minutes and an electronic ignition that may or may not last.

12/6/2005 11:14:48 AM

Ed's Marine in Ashland, VA..a little bit of a drive....

http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/

12/7/2005 3:53:21 PM

^I've heard numerous complaints about that place. Backdoor deals, shitty service and legal problems.

[Edited on December 7, 2005 at 4:02 PM. Reason : They have ok prices though]

12/7/2005 3:57:45 PM

The Big Blue Store has outboards with Briggs and Stratton 4 cycle motors about that size. As I remember, they were pretty reasonably priced. I know there is a store in Elizabethtown and Clinton

12/7/2005 4:15:16 PM

I can't find a link to that store, would they have a website per chance?

12/9/2005 4:20:16 PM

You'll want at a minimum 15 hp if you want to go anywhere with a 16' Jon boat. I did some work this summer in a 12' Jon boat w/ an 8 hp motor. The thing wouldnt go anywhere. granted most of that was in a river. So if you dont wanna sink, die, or get run over by another boat get a 15 hp.

12/9/2005 5:36:33 PM

I plan on using it fairly strictly in Hiwassee and similar lakes... no saltwater, I've got that covered (see Reel Scream I just want to be able to troll decently to holes within 5 miles of put-in. I'd like a 16'-18 footer just for stability and room for expansion. How much does an engine like that burn per hour?

At this stage I really just want to be able to reach my Crappie and Walleye sites and anchor up. And this is probably a stupid question (insert No Guy) But do small outboards come with an alternator that is also capable or charging a battery? I'm think if it's a pull-start, [no]

12/10/2005 2:46:27 AM

the big blue store's phone number for the elizabethtown store is 910-645-2222. I know they have another store in clinton that's bigger, but I don't know if they are the only two.

12/10/2005 11:36:42 PM

No they dont, you'll have to get a charger and juice it up the day before, especially if its a pull start. And a 5-10 gallon tank would probably be enough for a day for hte type of fishing you are trying to do.

12/10/2005 11:43:43 PM

there's another one in kinston

12/10/2005 11:45:55 PM

^^Charging a deep-cycly battery is not a problem not a problem... My 1st rule of boating is that "The battery is always dead." So I have a Charger and I'm ready for that. The Reel Scream has two. I'm considering a solar trickle charger too... Is it safe to assume that pretty much no small outboards that aren't electric start won't have the ability to recharge a battery?

How long would a descent deep-cycle battery last running two small navigational lights and an anchor light? How long if you were using a .25 or .5 million cp spotight or a submergible light?

Estimates and experiences please?


BTW: when you're X miles offshore, anchored, and you reach for the ignition... that's what Dad calls "The Moment of Truth." But, we've neverr had to call Seatow, knock on wood.

[Edited on December 12, 2005 at 12:41 AM. Reason : Truth]

12/12/2005 12:37:55 AM