Expert: Martyn Fryer - 2/25/2009

Question
I'm 18 and i bought an 11' Mercury Minnow for me and my brother to fish from. the dimensions of the boat are 11'-2" long X 46" wide x 15" high. My brother is 145 pounds and I'm 185 and well have about 20 pounds of gear. I have a trolling motor that zips the boat around like crazy. But this summer well be fishing a lake that is very large (13 miles long).

what size motor do you suggest for my boat.

Answer
Hi Scott
  Row it's easy & cheap!!!,Sorry!! I would go for something around 4-8Hp they are light & reasonably cheap around $150-$250(Ebay) But if you want to get to a certain position faster try before you buy & see how the boat feels most people are too eager to sell without understanding individual needs. The main facter to consider is the Trim on the boat & weight distribution its very easy to look at an engine & think it looks nice then realise its to heavy or powerfull for your boat also consider fuel storage if travelling far
  Hope I helped,please ask if any probs & good luck

Thanks & Regards
Martyn