what size boat for 15hp johnson 12,13,14,15?

[prawnman]

I was given a 92' 15hp johnson that has never been started. I would like to buy a boat to mount this motor on. I would like to know what size boat you guys/gals think i should purchase?? Will it push a 15ft gregor etc to plane? Will it go slow enough to troll on a 13 or 14footer? any help would be great! thank you for your time and fish on. [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[zipper]

I use a 15hsp Johnson to troll my 19' Duck... You may want to start it before you buy a boat to match... do some leg work and see what dealers are using on the size boats you mention. I really can't imagine it planning much of a boat - I know a friend who has a 25 honda on a 16' smoker and wishes he would'a bought the 40hsp. Good luck and have fun! zip

[lost_sailor]

"Never been started?"

I say, start it before you get a boat!

Also check the water pump impeller. They get crispy after extended storage ... then self-destruct when called back to duty.

I would think a 14' aluminum would do alright, you won't be flyin' though.

[Grandpa Lynn]

I have an older 14' Gregor with a 15hp Mercury. It will plane just fine with me (about 200lb) and my son (about 150lb). If the 2nd person in the boat is my size or larger, I cannot get it to plane.

As far as trolling is concerned, it totally depends on how slow the motor will idle. I sometimes will use an electric motor for trolling, if I want to go slow, and I don't want to listen to the motor and/or smell the smoke..

Once you get the motor running, if you wanted to "test it", you could get someone like myself, or somebody else with a boat, to let you try it out. My motor is off the boat, and in the garage when not in use, anyway.

Grandpa

[WillFish]

I have used a 15 Yamaha on a 14' Duroboat and it was plenty of motor for 1 or 2 people and gear. It pushed the Duro a little fast for trolling herring for fall chinook so I used a bucket or two to slow it down.

Some of the best springer fishermen I know use 15 Yamahas on 14' Gregors or similar combos.

Of course your motor needs to run smoothly and idle down well.

[Freakwater]

I used to own a 14' Gregor (13'-4" actually) and had an older merc 20hp on it. That boat was crazy fast! It would plane out with two adults on it while pulling a knee-boarder. Gregors plane out super easy. The 14' is virtually flat in the back. I think that would be a fun match to your 15 hp.

Freak

[CARTMAN]

friend of mine has a 15ft lund w/15hrs and it does fine with 2-3 people and gear. I have a 15ft smokercraft w/25hrs and seems like I am flying sometimes. Talk with the guys at stevens and they will have some good suggestions. Good luck and hope to see you on the river.

cartman

[Phishin Phool]

My Dad had a 8hp Honda on a 14' Gregor and we would pull the little kids behind it on skis and kneeboards. I'd think a 15hp would push a 16' boat pretty good. Depends on the weight of the boat of course. Also have a friend who built a 16' wooden sled (Heavy) that has a 25hp with jet. It moves his boat pretty good also.

--PP/Russ

[horseskull]

I have a Gregor Alaskan 15', my Johnson 15 will plane with 2 guys and is plenty fast with just myself. I don't see any reason to get a bigger motor for this boat. And it trolls just fine, sometimes too fast, but a sock slows it down.