Hi guys, I’m looking for a little more help. This is my first boat so all assistance is greatly appreciated. 

 

I recently purchased an Alumacraft MV 1648. I’m waiting on it to arrive now. I plan to hunt and fish out of this boat. Being in the Florida panhandle, I hope to fish for redfish and trout around the edges of the bays. Most of my duck hunting is done at the mouth of rivers and some in the bay. I need help with the right motor.

 

Here are my options:

Tohatsu 20hp electric start, power tilt: $3,050 OTD - 110lb motor

Tohatsu 25hp electric start, power tilt and trim: $4,480 OTD - 170lb motor

Tohatsu 30hp electric start, power tilt and trim: $4,800 OTD - 180lb motor

 

Obviously it wouldn’t hurt to have more HP, but would a 20hp be enough to hunt and fish comfortably out of?

 

I will have another person with me about 40-50% of the time, but we’re both smaller folks.

 

As as I said earlier, it’s my first boat so all the help is greatly appreciated.

 

- Craig

A motor is not being used while hunting or fishing so the size of the motor should have no effect on your comfort while hunting or fishing. The motor is used to get you to your fishing spot. Aside from not being fast, a motor that is too small will cause the boat to plow through the water and won’t get on plane easily using more fuel than the correct size engine.  Get biggest motor your boat is rated for. 

29 minutes ago, Scott F said:

A motor is not being used while hunting or fishing so the size of the motor should have no effect on your comfort while hunting or fishing. The motor is used to get you to your fishing spot. Aside from not being fast, a motor that is too small will cause the boat to plow through the water and won’t get on plane easily using more fuel than the correct size engine.  Get biggest motor your boat is rated for. 

Thanks, Scott. I’m not concerned about the motor while fishing or hunting, I just want to make sure I get one that’s good and pushes this boat well. $1,800 for 10 more hp is basically my question..... is it worth it for this boat?

 

The guy I’ve ordered the boat from says a 20hp won’t be enough. The guy selling the motors who sells a ton of these motors and 1648 boats says it will be and it’s his #1 seller.

It's always a hard pill to swallow spending more than you might want to when you are buying something. There is probably no one on here (or anywhere) who ever got a bigger motor for his boat and spent more than he wanted to, who is sorry he did. There are plenty of guys, like me, who wishes he'd spent the extra money in the beginning and got the bigger motor.  Trust me. If you can afford it, get the biggest motor your hull is rated for. You'll soon forget how much it cost. 

I guess it depends on what you want from the motor. I used to periodically rent a 16ft V hull and use my 15hp motor. It was no speed demon but it moved 3 adults from point A to point B without issue. @Scott F brings up some good points. One he didn't mention is having enough HP to deal with the weather. If the weather turns on you while your out fishing, will you have what you need to get back to the ramp safely?

I'm running a 1652 Alweld which isn't that much bigger the your's but I'm running a 40 hp.

 

Why?

 

To get me off the water in an emergency?

Thank you guys! I appreciate the help

 

Being able to quickly get back to the launch is important to me. Thanks again for bringing that up.

10 hours ago, Cbrown1802 said:

Thank you guys! I appreciate the help

 

Being able to quickly get back to the launch is important to me. Thanks again for bringing that up.

 

With small boats there will be times when getting back to the launch aint an option!

 

Sometimes the safest option is to beach it & get out!