12' flat bottom...what size outboard does everyone else use?

[Stevotary]

i understand that flat-bottoms aren't meant for choppy water, but why is choppy water more of an issue at speed?

If you take a thin sheet of metal and bend it back and forth, back and forth, then it will break. The choppy water will cause some play in the bottom except for where the benches go across. So the bottom is bending back and forth and will cause a catastrophic hole along the bench. This isn't a theory, I am a moron and speak from experience.

[jsctx84]

you wont need much

[JohnS]

I can vouch for the condition of the motor he has if anyone is wondering! Sorry that motor isn't enough I guess I was just never in a hurry so I never realized how fast it would go or should I say won't go

[Hoggwild]

I got a 15 evenrude on my 12 ft riveted flat bottom...scoots fine. We take it duck hunting on somervile...3 people iis no problem + gear

[bucksnducks]

The motor is just fine, and it gets that boat up to just under 10 mph according to a cheap portable fish finder. Matter of fact, I had the motor tuned up (new fuel line and and inline fuel filter put on as well plus a carb kit) and the mechanic that did the work said the motor was near to new as one can get without still hanging on the rack at the dealership! Motor runs like a champ. I love that little boat that, it's near 50 years old and doesn't have a single leak!

Completely happy with the purchase John!

[PSD Ryan]

I've got a 1960s 10hp johnson 2 stroke outboard on my 1960s 12 foot. It's about all that boat can handle.

[Texas Grown]

The more gear you have, the more hp it will need. That is why mfgs rate boats with the same hull with different hp because some have consoles and some don't, the ones with out consoles being lighter, there fore rated at lower HP. And the ones with consoles being heavier, are rated at a higher HP. You can be in excess of rated HP but don't over throttle it when running light. As stated above, running a boat with excess hp (and speed) can cause the hull material to fatigue and eventually crack. I've repaired more than my share of hulls from being over throttled on rough water.

I'm sure you can prob run a 15hp on it with a full load and a transom that is in good shape. But if it's empty, just take it easy on the throttle till you get an idea as to how hard it is hitting the water. A 10hp should be fine in your case (with a thicker hull and plenty of ribs). I can always tell if a hull is been run hard just by looking at the underside.

(From a former Tracker structural warranty repair tech for the 5 state region . Lowe, and a zillion other hulls too)

[texag93]

9.9 should be fine.

[bucksnducks]

this is showing my inexperience, but i didn't realize that a flat-bottom hull would actually flex enough to cause a break. I knew they would flex but never realized it would that much. Glad yall enlightened me there, may help me old boat last a little longer.

Everything I'm hearing seems to point to the 9.9.... Does anyone know anything about the 8 hp?

I was looking on Merc website and it says that they are virtually the same motor, same displacement, gear, everything. Difference is hp at the prop. Why is that and how does it affect the power (ability to get up to speed) of the motors. Reason I'm asking is the 8 is almost 600 less

[Bubbabowhunter]

15 hp 4-stroke Yamaha on a '91 Monark 12' works for me. The bottom of the boat is 41" across and it is rated for a maximum hp of 15.

[fowlwaters]

Yes the bottom flexes never seen one flex enough to tear most of the time the flexing will cause the rivets to get lose and leak. On the 8 hp must likely it is to meet some of the motor regs on lake or hp rating on sail boats because that is where most are use check the wieght of the 9.9 and the 8.

[fowlwaters]

Also look at shaft lenght the 8 might be longer for sail boat use.

[Ron]

I always just used a 35 pound thrust trolling motor.

[DRow]

I run a little nissan 6hp on my 10 footer (academy boat) and it does just fine. I think a nice little 8 would be perfect for what you got

[bucksnducks]

the 8 and the 9.9 are exactly the same in weight, shaft lenght (both are short shafts which is what i need), and everything else. But, why would they be exactly the same in everything but hp? Does this create a very noticable difference?