Outboard motor size

[RJL]

Hi guys. I read this forum regularly but almost never post.At this time I have a question about what hp outboard to put on my dory skiff. I have rebuilt a 1966 16 ft Delano skiff. The original skiff was built in Marshfield, MA. It has a 64 inch beam and is 52 inches wide at the top of the transom. The bottom width is 42 inches at the widest point and 37 inches at the transom. It is white pine lapstrake construction and has a dry weight of about 350 lbs. At one time it had a 1966 Evenrude 18 hp fast twin tiller steering on it. That motor weighed 77 lbs. As you know all that is available now is a 4 stroke 15 or 20 hp which weighs around 115 lbs. I plan to keep the tiller steering and want to sit far enough back to be able to reach the shifter on the motor so a long tiller extension does not work for me. my questions are. Is the 115 lb 4 stroke to heavy for this boat and can I expect a top end of 18 to 20 mph with a 15 hp on this boat? thanks for any info you may be able to provide.

[Thorne]

Dories traditionally used either natural ballast (300# of codfish) or a dory stone to balance the boat, so I'll guess you'll want to put some ballast forward -- depending on many other factors.

I'd sure guess that you'd get 20mph with a 15hp 4-stroke, depending on prop size, boat weight when wet and loaded, water conditions, etc. But that's a guess -- I'm sure someone here can be more specific. Any chance of you borrowing an outboard for testing before purchase?

[Hunky Dory]

I had a 16' dory skiff with a 20 2stroke years ago. When first put in it was to fast to be comfortable. After a week or so in the water it gained enough weight to be stable at speed. I would go with the extension handle as you are only shifting at low speed but will want to get forward when on plane. I used to run a line from the bow to hold onto when standing. I think some kind of a post to steady yourself would be a lot safer though. With a 15 hp. four stroke you will want to get some weight forward anyway. Back in the 60's my dad had a Delano skiff with the motor cutout blocked off and towed it loaded with mussels in Duxbury bay.

[JimD]

If you insist on doing without a tiller extension I would be curious to know how much you weigh as much as how much the motor weighs? Are you closer to 150 pounds or 300 pounds? If its the latter then you and a motor together are going to be over 400 pounds stuffed into the back of it. Any pics of the boat?

[RJL]

JimD. I am 6 ft 1 inch and 230 lb and do have a short tiller extension on the Evenrude 18 and also about 50 lb of weight and a 45 lb battery in the bow. This set up works OK but am concerned about adding another 40 lb to the rear of the boat and how it will affect performance especially with going to a 15hp 4 stroke. I have lots of pictures of the boat but no clue of how to get them on the forum

[JimD]

JimD. I am 6 ft 1 inch and 230 lb and do have a short tiller extension on the Evenrude 18 and also about 50 lb of weight and a 45 lb battery in the bow. This set up works OK but am concerned about adding another 40 lb to the rear of the boat and how it will affect performance especially with going to a 15hp 4 stroke. I have lots of pictures of the boat but no clue of how to get them on the forum

If the pics are already posted on a website such as a photo hosting site just post the link to them. If they're on your hard drive then we're out of luck.