Soliciting smaller HP experience on a classic 15

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Author Topic:   Soliciting smaller HP experience on a classic 15

Plotman posted 07-07-2008 03:18 PM ET (US)
I have a 15 (started life as a striper, but have added sport-style cleats and an aft seat, but kept the console).
It has a Johnson 70 that is a wonderful motor in all respects save that I think it is too much engine as we begin to loosen the apron strings and let my 11 year old son use the boat on his own.
I am strongly tempted to put that 70 HP in the garage for a few years and replace it with something more kid-friendly as he cuts his teeth at our beach house in the Apostle Islands.
I'd like to hear from folks that have experience with smaller engines (25-40hp) on a classic 15.
That said, I'd still like to be able to plane off reliably with heavy loads - this past weekend I had 11 people in the boat at one point, 3 adults, 2 teenagers, and 6 smaller kids. I also loaded a HUGE pile of driftwood in the bow for our 4th bonfire (Many pieces extended 5-6 feet past the bow and I had trouble seeing over the pile when seated). In both cases the boat planed off without trouble.
The more I use this little boat, the more I like it and the more versatile I think it is. I have found myself using it for trips and outings that previously I would have only considered in my 22 Outrage, including a 25 mile crossing of the big lake.
fishgutz posted 07-07-2008 09:29 PM ET (US)
My brother had a 1992 15 GLS with a 40 Johnson on it. Performance was pretty darn good. I don't have number as that boat is long gone.
What about some way to limit the throttle. That would be really cheap. It would save you gas money, too. Easier to switch back.
Tohsgib posted 07-08-2008 11:30 AM ET (US)
Growing up I had 2 friends with 15's. One had a 25 and the other a 35hp. Not bad on the performance front for a 11 year old. Does he have boating experience on his own already? If not you might want something that does not plane for the first season.
Plotman posted 07-08-2008 02:41 PM ET (US)
Yes, Nick. He has a fair amount of experience running the boat with supervision, and he also has done a good job in a small john boat with a small OB.
bc posted 07-08-2008 06:44 PM ET (US)
I down-sized from a 70 ('84 Johnson) to a 48 (Evinrude spl '90) The 70 was worn out and pushed my '81 striper to 38 mph (gps) The 48 is good for around 32ish. I like the 48spl better for weight reasons. Take off and planning very good with 15" prop on the 48.
Peter posted 07-09-2008 07:32 AM ET (US)
I was able to get 36 to 37 MPH out of my 15 SuperSport with the Johnson 48 SPL running the 11 3/4 x 17 aluminum propeller.
For an 11 year old, I think I'd try to find a Johnson 40. Should be good for about 32 MPH. I don't think you can get yourself into too much trouble with the boat and that motor.
Another possibility is the nearly bulletproof 2 cylinder 30 HP Johnson/Evinrude, if you can find one. I've seen a few 15s with this motor.
Tohsgib posted 07-09-2008 12:41 PM ET (US)
Since he has some good experience, I agree with a 25-40hp. Too bad you are not closer, I have a pretty nice 1983 35 Elec start evinrude for cheap. Don't go crazy on the $$ because in a season or so he is gonna want more ponies.
Tohsgib posted 07-09-2008 12:41 PM ET (US)
Ps...I was seeing 37ish with a 48spl swinging a 11.75x17 as well.
brisboats posted 07-09-2008 12:52 PM ET (US)
Rigged my old 1991 15 ss with a 1996 Mercury classic 4 cylinder 50hp now powerhead rated at 40hp. Easily gets mid 30's and has decent performance with a light load. My fifteen year old Nephew has lots of boating experience but I would have some reservations about letting him run that rig solo. Boat is still fast enough.
Brian
Buckda posted 07-09-2008 12:54 PM ET (US)
David -
I agree with your gut - remembering back to my early days, I am glad my dad started me with a 6 HP seahorse on a 14ft aluminum skiff and allowed me to "graduate" to larger, more HP motors and boats.
If it were my son, I'd bolt a 25 HP motor to the transom and go from there. The engine is going to operate at two speeds: idle and WOT. That's just how 11-14 year old boys are! It's how I was.
Once he's earned it, you can re-install the 70 and let him have a lot of fun...and show off to the girls at the docks on Madeline Island....
Good luck!
Tohsgib posted 07-09-2008 01:33 PM ET (US)
My father drilled into my head that this was the engine, you treat it with respect, you blow it up you will be rowing, yada yada yada. To this day I never run my engine WFO except once in a blue moon. The other reason was him saying this is the gas tank, you are allowed 2 tanks per week, you run WFO and you will burn twice the gas, so run her just on plane, yada yada yada.
Guess it worked!
Peter posted 07-09-2008 03:15 PM ET (US)
I had a 1977 35 on my 13 Sport. At the time, it ran at two speeds, idle and WOT. Could have replaced the throttle control with a two position switch.
Bluejay15 posted 07-09-2008 04:57 PM ET (US)
Not all kids are the same. I grew up riding four wheelers and had a 125 cc Honda when I was 3 or 4 years old. I got my NY state kids boating licence when I was 8 at which time I would drive a small Zodiac rib with a 15 Merc around Henderson Harbor, Sandy Pond and the Thousand Islands. When my family purchased a house in the Keys when I was 11 my father got a 17 Angler with a 75 Merc. That boat would do 40, but I knew how to be responsible. I took that boat out to the reef and outback to places adults today are nervous getting to even with a gps. It all depends on the child.
bc posted 07-09-2008 06:12 PM ET (US)
Do you guys think I could squeeze another 5 mph by going to the 11 3/4 X 17? I pretty sure I am pushing 5800 rpm @ wot.
Thanks.
bc posted 07-09-2008 06:14 PM ET (US)
oh...I'm currently running a 11 1/2 X 15 alum.
Tohsgib posted 07-10-2008 10:44 AM ET (US)
Yeas...redline is 5500.
TampaTom posted 07-10-2008 06:41 PM ET (US)
When my twins were 11 they had a Squall with a 4 HP tiller. It was good training. That boat was stolen out of our canal. I replaced it with a 15' and 70 Johnson 17"p prop, turned in the throttle stop to 4500 max rpm, and added a engine cut off lanyard.
They progressed quickly. We went to a 19p, 8" setback jackplate, 5800 rpm, and some rooster tails (that was for me.)
I've had it up to 44.9 mph. I'd like to take the throttle stop out some more and try a 22p just to see what it will do.
Don't tell my kids.
dgoodhue posted 07-11-2008 10:04 AM ET (US)
I think you have the right idea about cutting the speeds, down for your 11 year old. The only problem I see is you mention about planning with heavy loads.
Have you thought about buying your son a 13' whaler with 15-25hp? I don't know your situation, so it might not work. It might not much different in cost than putting on a smaller motor on 15' and you would still be able to enjoy your 15' as you do today.

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Author	Topic: Soliciting smaller HP experience on a classic 15
Plotman	posted 07-07-2008 03:18 PM ET (US) I have a 15 (started life as a striper, but have added sport-style cleats and an aft seat, but kept the console). It has a Johnson 70 that is a wonderful motor in all respects save that I think it is too much engine as we begin to loosen the apron strings and let my 11 year old son use the boat on his own. I am strongly tempted to put that 70 HP in the garage for a few years and replace it with something more kid-friendly as he cuts his teeth at our beach house in the Apostle Islands. I'd like to hear from folks that have experience with smaller engines (25-40hp) on a classic 15. That said, I'd still like to be able to plane off reliably with heavy loads - this past weekend I had 11 people in the boat at one point, 3 adults, 2 teenagers, and 6 smaller kids. I also loaded a HUGE pile of driftwood in the bow for our 4th bonfire (Many pieces extended 5-6 feet past the bow and I had trouble seeing over the pile when seated). In both cases the boat planed off without trouble. The more I use this little boat, the more I like it and the more versatile I think it is. I have found myself using it for trips and outings that previously I would have only considered in my 22 Outrage, including a 25 mile crossing of the big lake.
fishgutz	posted 07-07-2008 09:29 PM ET (US) My brother had a 1992 15 GLS with a 40 Johnson on it. Performance was pretty darn good. I don't have number as that boat is long gone. What about some way to limit the throttle. That would be really cheap. It would save you gas money, too. Easier to switch back.
Tohsgib	posted 07-08-2008 11:30 AM ET (US) Growing up I had 2 friends with 15's. One had a 25 and the other a 35hp. Not bad on the performance front for a 11 year old. Does he have boating experience on his own already? If not you might want something that does not plane for the first season.
Plotman	posted 07-08-2008 02:41 PM ET (US) Yes, Nick. He has a fair amount of experience running the boat with supervision, and he also has done a good job in a small john boat with a small OB.
bc	posted 07-08-2008 06:44 PM ET (US) I down-sized from a 70 ('84 Johnson) to a 48 (Evinrude spl '90) The 70 was worn out and pushed my '81 striper to 38 mph (gps) The 48 is good for around 32ish. I like the 48spl better for weight reasons. Take off and planning very good with 15" prop on the 48.
Peter	posted 07-09-2008 07:32 AM ET (US) I was able to get 36 to 37 MPH out of my 15 SuperSport with the Johnson 48 SPL running the 11 3/4 x 17 aluminum propeller. For an 11 year old, I think I'd try to find a Johnson 40. Should be good for about 32 MPH. I don't think you can get yourself into too much trouble with the boat and that motor. Another possibility is the nearly bulletproof 2 cylinder 30 HP Johnson/Evinrude, if you can find one. I've seen a few 15s with this motor.
Tohsgib	posted 07-09-2008 12:41 PM ET (US) Since he has some good experience, I agree with a 25-40hp. Too bad you are not closer, I have a pretty nice 1983 35 Elec start evinrude for cheap. Don't go crazy on the $$ because in a season or so he is gonna want more ponies.
Tohsgib	posted 07-09-2008 12:41 PM ET (US) Ps...I was seeing 37ish with a 48spl swinging a 11.75x17 as well.
brisboats	posted 07-09-2008 12:52 PM ET (US) Rigged my old 1991 15 ss with a 1996 Mercury classic 4 cylinder 50hp now powerhead rated at 40hp. Easily gets mid 30's and has decent performance with a light load. My fifteen year old Nephew has lots of boating experience but I would have some reservations about letting him run that rig solo. Boat is still fast enough. Brian
Buckda	posted 07-09-2008 12:54 PM ET (US) David - I agree with your gut - remembering back to my early days, I am glad my dad started me with a 6 HP seahorse on a 14ft aluminum skiff and allowed me to "graduate" to larger, more HP motors and boats. If it were my son, I'd bolt a 25 HP motor to the transom and go from there. The engine is going to operate at two speeds: idle and WOT. That's just how 11-14 year old boys are! It's how I was. Once he's earned it, you can re-install the 70 and let him have a lot of fun...and show off to the girls at the docks on Madeline Island.... Good luck!
Tohsgib	posted 07-09-2008 01:33 PM ET (US) My father drilled into my head that this was the engine, you treat it with respect, you blow it up you will be rowing, yada yada yada. To this day I never run my engine WFO except once in a blue moon. The other reason was him saying this is the gas tank, you are allowed 2 tanks per week, you run WFO and you will burn twice the gas, so run her just on plane, yada yada yada. Guess it worked!
Peter	posted 07-09-2008 03:15 PM ET (US) I had a 1977 35 on my 13 Sport. At the time, it ran at two speeds, idle and WOT. Could have replaced the throttle control with a two position switch.
Bluejay15	posted 07-09-2008 04:57 PM ET (US) Not all kids are the same. I grew up riding four wheelers and had a 125 cc Honda when I was 3 or 4 years old. I got my NY state kids boating licence when I was 8 at which time I would drive a small Zodiac rib with a 15 Merc around Henderson Harbor, Sandy Pond and the Thousand Islands. When my family purchased a house in the Keys when I was 11 my father got a 17 Angler with a 75 Merc. That boat would do 40, but I knew how to be responsible. I took that boat out to the reef and outback to places adults today are nervous getting to even with a gps. It all depends on the child.
bc	posted 07-09-2008 06:12 PM ET (US) Do you guys think I could squeeze another 5 mph by going to the 11 3/4 X 17? I pretty sure I am pushing 5800 rpm @ wot. Thanks.
bc	posted 07-09-2008 06:14 PM ET (US) oh...I'm currently running a 11 1/2 X 15 alum.
Tohsgib	posted 07-10-2008 10:44 AM ET (US) Yeas...redline is 5500.
TampaTom	posted 07-10-2008 06:41 PM ET (US) When my twins were 11 they had a Squall with a 4 HP tiller. It was good training. That boat was stolen out of our canal. I replaced it with a 15' and 70 Johnson 17"p prop, turned in the throttle stop to 4500 max rpm, and added a engine cut off lanyard. They progressed quickly. We went to a 19p, 8" setback jackplate, 5800 rpm, and some rooster tails (that was for me.) I've had it up to 44.9 mph. I'd like to take the throttle stop out some more and try a 22p just to see what it will do. Don't tell my kids.
dgoodhue	posted 07-11-2008 10:04 AM ET (US) I think you have the right idea about cutting the speeds, down for your 11 year old. The only problem I see is you mention about planning with heavy loads. Have you thought about buying your son a 13' whaler with 15-25hp? I don't know your situation, so it might not work. It might not much different in cost than putting on a smaller motor on 15' and you would still be able to enjoy your 15' as you do today.