Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Outboard for Rapid Robert

Hi,

I'm almost finished building my Rapid Robert 16' ( Bridges) and have started looking around for outboards to power it.

I am wanting enough power I can motor back upstream to where I put in if need be. I would be fishing the Upper Salmon around Challis Id, or South fork of the snake, maybe the main snake below American Falls reservoir. ( will be running flatwater some as well)

In doing my research it has been suggested that 15HP would probably be the best choice, but looking at the new 4 stroke motors, 15 HP is weighing around 120 lbs. Would this boat handle that much weight at the transom?

Right now I can get a used 10 HP older (1970's?) mercury that weights around 70lbs, I am wondering if that will do the job and maybe I would be better off going that route. I also have a 1956 Wizard Super Power 25 (25HP) that weighs 100 lbs, but not running yet. Curious if that would be too much engine if I were to get that going.

I guess the issues is how much weight and HP is safe for this boat.. Any opinions of what I should do with this would be appreciated.....

Thanks

Larry

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on April 29, 2015 at 1:18pm

I have been running a 16' Rapid Robert with a Mercury long shaft 15 hp for the last 20 years.

The transom handles this 75 lb out board just fine. I run on lakes in Yellowstone a 8,000 ft where the outboard makes about 8 hp due to the altitude. At the 4,000- 5,000 ft altitude of the Salmon and South Fork you will make closer to 10 hp with a 15. I can move upstream on the South Fork but only in the tails of the pools. Cannot drift down and then run back up to the put in.

I believe you could build a beefier transom with substantial knees that would support 125 lbs. you really need a 25 hp to move upstream in our altitudes. There's no such thing as too much power for moving upstream

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Permalink Reply by craig curtis on May 1, 2015 at 10:38pm

take that 25 and put a pump on it then you could run around in the low water conditions. just make sure you have more weight in the front if going with the larger motor. maybe put the gas take up front under a bow seat. a large two cycle with give you lots of power to weight but much noiser than the new four strokes. there is also the option of a large electric motor too.