River Duck Boat Motor Question

[Calhunter380]

Hey guys, Long time no post. I'm putting together a boat for hunting on the river this season. It's a 12ft flat bottom. I was wondering what size motor would be adequate for the river. I mainly need to know what size motor will be able to handle going upstream with me, my gear and another hunter.

Thanks
Calhunter380

 

[widgnwhacker]

I think that your 12' boat would work best with a 9.9 but I wouldn't go over that because your transom may not handle it. I run a 7.5 merc on a old 12' Seaking and that is all it will handle. It also is pretty slow with 2 guys a dog and all your stuff. Another thing you will want to be careful with is how much weight you will be carrying and how high your gunnels are? You don't want water coming over the sides if Billy Bassmaster blows by you at 60mph and tries to sink your boat

Good luck in whatever you choose and Be Safe!

 

[calfowler]

Listen to the Widgnwhacker. That is good informatiom. I have sunk a 12' boat the day I got my first honker. Funnier than hell. Over loaded, excited and swamp ma. Opps!! I'm flayling away and my partner stands up in waist deep water. We still laugh our tails off on that one. Someone even got a picture of it. That just ain't fair. Calfowler

 

[DumptheDrake]

If you are considering a mud motor for your 12ft , I have a 2004 Honda electric start mounted on a '92go-devil crawdad (short shaft) frame. I upgraded the briggs 9hp two years ago and will be selling it for just
what the Honda engine cost me. Got a new SD mud buddy and will offer this longtail on ebay after I get home from Tule opener - sometime next week. (that's the crawdad frame in the avatar)














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[DumptheDrake]

Sorry- forgot to add it's a 13hp honda , the motor weighs approx 100 lbs and pushes my 14 alum jonboat
w. 2 guys, gear & dog 13 mph. You will run faster with an equivalent hp outboard but it might be more expensive than the go-devil motor

 

[duckdog]

Have you taken this boat out on the river you plan on hunting at? Be very careful if it's a narrow flat bottom. I've seen to many guys take a small boat out on the river where I hunt, only to sink or almost sink their boat. Oh, and PLEASE PUT ON RUNNING LIGHTS. I can't tell you how many times I have almost ran someone over in the dark or fog because they don't have any lights on.

And in that small of a craft, it could get real hairy when someone makes a sudden turn to miss ya and the wake swamps you. I've seen it happen. Safety first!

A 10hp would probably do the job, and it will be a long slow trip if the river is shallow. If you could get a long tail motor, you would be better off.


Good luck....