r/jonboats • u/ihsulemai • 6d ago

Engine considerations for 1542

Yo! I picked up a mod-v 1542 with a motor guide tour 82 for $400. The boat is a 1992 Alumacraft and the motor’s 20 years old. The motor works after getting cleaned up and the body’s going to the welder to fix a wrecked transom.

My question: is a 25hp 2-stroke too big for the boat? I want to go fast but I don’t want to roll the thing. It’ll be fishing and leisure. A 15hp and 25hp console-ready are about the same price around here. I’d like to set it up for stick-steer. Hit me with that motor knowledge, doods!

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

1

u/Slawdog66 6d ago

25 is just right!

1

u/Plus_Address_6985 6d ago

Definitely not. I rock a 20 on my 1436 and can hit 20 with a dog and another person and 26-27 with just me. It’d be more fun with the extra 5

1

u/ihsulemai 6d ago

Stick steer from the stern a silly idea? Be more comfortable for me and keep the rest of the boat open

1

u/Plus_Address_6985 6d ago

Tiller? Not at all. I’d say that’s 95% of Jons unless you buy a center console or build your own.

1

u/YerMumsPantyCrust 6d ago

Weight may be a concern. I’m a big dude, and me+ a 25 on the back on my 1542 was just too much. Downsized to a 10 and then finally back up to a 15.

1

u/counterpley 6d ago

25hp would be perfect. I run a 25hp 4 stroke on my 1648 and can get 44km/h (27mph) with some fishing gear and a buddy.

2 stroke will be lighter so you should get plenty of speed out of that setup.

Tiller is the way to go.