need motor advice

mlincoln

A buddy and I often go fishing on a local river with a gentle current. We rent an old wooden rowboat, which weighs about 150 - 200 pounds. Drop both of us and our stuff into it, and you're up to probably around 650 to 700 pounds. You can bring your own outboard up to 7.5 hp, and I'm wondering how big a motor do I need? The current is not terrible, but rowing is slow and sometimes we want to get way down the river. We tried a trolling motor but it didn't have the needed gusto. I'm looking at a 3.5 hp model and a 6 hp model. Any and all feedback would be appreciated.Also, is buying one used an OK or an awful idea? I've seen ones that look like they've been well cared for and they're hundreds of dollars less than buying new. Thanks for your help.

bfair

Good question, a 5 or 6 hp should be fine if your not in a big hurry and assuming that it is a flat bottom rowboat.As for used you get what you pay for. There are many good deals on used motors it is just a matter of being able to know its conditon, newer is not always better. If you buy used from a dealer that will give you some sort of warranty all the better. Your looking at about $1800 for a new 5-6 hp, and about 1/2 that used.My website:http://whalerclassics.tripod.com/survey.htm

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Guns Free...Shoot...Shoot...ShootSemper Paratus [This message has been edited by bfair (edited 09-18-2001).]

mlincoln

Thanks for the tip. It is a flat bottomed boat. I'm thinking about maybe a 5 horse one, which I've found used in good shape for about $700. I don't need to fly up and down the river or pull waterskiers or anything, just get here and there in reasonable amount of time.

bfair

That should work

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Guns Free...Shoot...Shoot...ShootSemper Paratus