04-16-2014, 08:42 PM
if it says 15hp and you can afford it, GET IT!
I ran a 1436 jon for years with an 80s merc 7.5 and caught tons of fish. With two guys and fishing gear we were doing about 11mph in calm seas. With three guys i couldn't get on plane and was reduced to about 6mph.
Not really much price difference between a used 7.5 and a 15 on ksl though. I'd definetly go with a well maintained 15hp if I were to do it again, it would have enough power to push three guys 12mph and two guys faster than you should be going in a 1436.
Look at the 90s gamefisher motors, they're super light, simple and typically cheaper than the mercs and johnsons. The gamefisher 15hp is built on the same block as the 9.9hp so you get half again the power with zero weight added. Both are lighter than a merc 10hp which means you'll get better economy and power, though they can be arguably less reliable than the big brands.
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I ran a 1436 jon for years with an 80s merc 7.5 and caught tons of fish. With two guys and fishing gear we were doing about 11mph in calm seas. With three guys i couldn't get on plane and was reduced to about 6mph.
Not really much price difference between a used 7.5 and a 15 on ksl though. I'd definetly go with a well maintained 15hp if I were to do it again, it would have enough power to push three guys 12mph and two guys faster than you should be going in a 1436.
Look at the 90s gamefisher motors, they're super light, simple and typically cheaper than the mercs and johnsons. The gamefisher 15hp is built on the same block as the 9.9hp so you get half again the power with zero weight added. Both are lighter than a merc 10hp which means you'll get better economy and power, though they can be arguably less reliable than the big brands.
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