Help needed with motor size/type

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06-04-2018, 07:20 AM
Tangelo

Help needed with motor size/type

Hey guys, I have a 1977 Valco aluminum boat, 15'. All I have right now is a "30 pound thrust Prowler trolling motor" that came with it, but pretty sure that's not going to get it around the lake? I will be fishing Lake Arrowhead, in Souther California, a private lake which I have rights to fish.

Anyway, I want to buy a used outboard motor, but not sure what would be best? Would a used 15hp motor be ok? Maybe something even smaller if possible, I'm on a budget. Let me know what you think. Speed is not a necessity, I just need to get around the lake at a decent clip. Thanks guys!
06-04-2018, 06:47 PM
dixoncider

Is it on a trailer or will you have to carry the outboard ? Thats your decision.
06-04-2018, 09:14 PM
bowler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Hey guys, I have a 1977 Valco aluminum boat, 15'. All I have right now is a "30 pound thrust Prowler trolling motor" that came with it, but pretty sure that's not going to get it around the lake? I will be fishing Lake Arrowhead, in Souther California, a private lake which I have rights to fish.

Anyway, I want to buy a used outboard motor, but not sure what would be best? Would a used 15hp motor be ok? Maybe something even smaller if possible, I'm on a budget. Let me know what you think. Speed is not a necessity, I just need to get around the lake at a decent clip. Thanks guys!

I have a 9.8hp I'm selling for 600 bucks
06-04-2018, 10:09 PM
CHUCKY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Hey guys, I have a 1977 Valco aluminum boat, 15'. All I have right now is a "30 pound thrust Prowler trolling motor" that came with it, but pretty sure that's not going to get it around the lake? I will be fishing Lake Arrowhead, in Souther California, a private lake which I have rights to fish.

Anyway, I want to buy a used outboard motor, but not sure what would be best? Would a used 15hp motor be ok? Maybe something even smaller if possible, I'm on a budget. Let me know what you think. Speed is not a necessity, I just need to get around the lake at a decent clip. Thanks guys!

Valco ? Wow! What a great find for you. Nice boats. Does arrowhead allow 2 stroke ? If so 25 Johnson is your answer.
06-05-2018, 11:05 AM
Tangelo

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHUCKY

Valco ? Wow! What a great find for you. Nice boats. Does arrowhead allow 2 stroke ? If so 25 Johnson is your answer.

Any reason they wouldn't allow it? 2 stroke Johnson sounds good. I really want to stay between 2-400 bucks for a used motor if possible.
06-05-2018, 11:13 AM
Tangelo

Would something this small work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Evinrude-3-...YAAOSwrptbE-qq

Again, 14foot Valco aluminum. NOT looking for speed, just enough power to move me around the lake.
06-05-2018, 01:45 PM
bowler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Would something this small work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Evinrude-3-...YAAOSwrptbE-qq

Again, 14foot Valco aluminum. NOT looking for speed, just enough power to move me around the lake.

I just got my 4 stroke 9.9hp mercury motor for 500 bucks
06-05-2018, 02:14 PM
etucker1959

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Would something this small work?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Evinrude-3-...YAAOSwrptbE-qq

Again, 14foot Valco aluminum. NOT looking for speed, just enough power to move me around the lake.

I have your boat (14 foot Valco) so I'm talking from experience. I have an 15hp and an 36 pound electric thrust on her. (I prefer to only use the electric) So this is the $64,000 dollar question. What lakes are you primarily interested in fishing??? It makes a difference on how much power you can get away with!! In a more windy lake, you can't get away with less power. For example, if you were primarily fishing a small lake like Corona lake, you could get away with next to nothing. But fishing a Big lake that is known for wind, you would need at least a 9.9hp for safety.
06-05-2018, 02:31 PM
bowler

Quote:

Originally Posted by etucker1959

I have your boat (14 foot Valco) so I'm talking from experience. I have an 15hp and an 36 pound electric thrust on her. (I prefer to only use the electric) So this is the $64,000 dollar question. What lakes are you primarily interested in fishing??? It makes a difference on how much power you can get away with!! In a more windy lake, you can't get away with less power. For example, if you were primarily fishing a small lake like Corona lake, you could get away with next to nothing. But fishing a Big lake that is known for wind, you would need at least a 9.9hp for safety.

He is only going to have it at lake arrowhead.
06-05-2018, 02:50 PM
etucker1959

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowler

He is only going to have it at lake arrowhead.

Ok since it is a "Private" lake and I've never been there, how big and windy is Lake Arrowhead?
06-05-2018, 03:03 PM
bowler

Quote:

Originally Posted by etucker1959

Ok since it is a "Private" lake and I've never been there, how big and windy is Lake Arrowhead?

I wouldn't know either. I know its smaller than big bear
06-05-2018, 03:51 PM
etucker1959

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowler

I wouldn't know either. I know its smaller than big bear

It's the same size as Irvine Lake, so it's not that big. What about the wind? Is it "anybody chime in" a very windy lake?
06-06-2018, 09:41 AM
P.A.W.

I'd say 5hp to 10 hp in your price range. When I had a tin can I ran a 5hp Briggs and Stratton ($800 brand new) and a 6 hp Mercury. Even the 5 hp Briggs got me around Diamond Valley. For Arrowhead, don't complicate it by doing a bunch of hand wringing. Just get whatever small motor comes along in your price range.
06-06-2018, 01:58 PM
ichthus

As a lad I had a 14 ft fiberglass tri-hull that weighed a ton. Two of us could not lift it off the ground. Had a trusty 9.9 Johnson on it that gave us plenty of power for all the local lakes and traveling down the coast from Santa Barbara to fish the oil rigs that used to be off of Carpinteria. Even got us out to Anacapa Island once! ONCE, that is, until our parents found out what we did! I would think a 10 hp would push you around just great. A 15 would get you zipping.
06-07-2018, 03:17 PM
Tangelo

You guys gave me a lot to think about. Some conflicting thoughts though. I thought a 10hp was the minimum needed, but now I'm hearing maybe a 5 will do? It's not a huge lake, pretty mellow most of the time, but there will be 2-3 people in the boat. I think I'll try to find a 10hp used for now. If you know a good online used outboard source to shop for one, let me know.

Thanks again guys!
06-07-2018, 04:06 PM
etucker1959

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

You guys gave me a lot to think about. Some conflicting thoughts though. I thought a 10hp was the minimum needed, but now I'm hearing maybe a 5 will do? It's not a huge lake, pretty mellow most of the time, but there will be 2-3 people in the boat. I think I'll try to find a 10hp used for now. If you know a good online used outboard source to shop for one, let me know.

Thanks again guys!

Good choice.
06-12-2018, 10:10 AM
fishfinder

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Hey guys, I have a 1977 Valco aluminum boat, 15'. All I have right now is a "30 pound thrust Prowler trolling motor" that came with it, but pretty sure that's not going to get it around the lake? I will be fishing Lake Arrowhead, in Souther California, a private lake which I have rights to fish.

Anyway, I want to buy a used outboard motor, but not sure what would be best? Would a used 15hp motor be ok? Maybe something even smaller if possible, I'm on a budget. Let me know what you think. Speed is not a necessity, I just need to get around the lake at a decent clip. Thanks guys!

6hp if fine for that lake
06-12-2018, 01:21 PM
crappiemike

15ft 3 people, 15hp bro
At least...

Cm
06-12-2018, 04:56 PM
jdogg661420

i dont have boat or motors ect. but for your trolling motor if you can mount it to pull your boat it will be better off for it. it will pull your boat easier then pushing it. you can always save more and use the trolling motor around where you launch to cruise shorelines and save and get a motor you really want. get a couple oars too and do the cheap way till you have enough to get what you want. 3 people with paddles can move that boat if you really wanted to be out fishing.. but also hit those other two up for some cash also if they are always gonna be out with you. gl.
06-14-2018, 01:10 PM
Tangelo

Thanks guys, great help. Still searching for a 10hp motor. For some reason it's real hard to find. if you know of a good online source for used motors, let me know. Thanks!
06-14-2018, 02:14 PM
bowler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangelo

Thanks guys, great help. Still searching for a 10hp motor. For some reason it's real hard to find. if you know of a good online source for used motors, let me know. Thanks!

Check you PM I sent. I have a 9.8hp for sale
06-15-2018, 06:02 AM
noleash

Dont mess with safety...Buy new...And at least 8 hp..Perfer 9.9 but 8 hp lot more simple and same cc as 9.9.

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