is a 15hp going to be ok on the white? - 1654 - 325lb boat hull weight

[N9BOW]

I was just curious if 15hp will be too little or maybe just fine for the White at the flows you guys are seeing now with minimum flow? The boat is very shallow drafting and weighs 325lb. Most of the time it will be hauling one person or maybe two people.

I'm just trying not to spend any more money on a motor than I have to right now because I want to get a house built and the White is the big unknown for me. I know the 15 will be just fine for tooling around and doing what I want to do with it up here. (walleye on the mississippi and cedar river and reservoirs in Iowa)
Will the 15hp be capable on the White and Norfork river?
I like the 15hp as its not too heavy for this small boat.
If anyone has experience on the forum using a boat with a footprint close to 1654 on the white with a 15hp I would love to hear from you? what were your impressions? 

Some specs.
125lb motor
325 hull
32lb fuel tank (propane)
200lb person
61lbs battery
50lb gear misc
Total weight will be somewhere between 800 - 1000lb (up to 2 people)

 

Eric

[N9BOW]

BTW the hull is rated for up to 25hp.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Ham and griz will know.

Peet

[N9BOW]

@Peet Thanks. I see you're from St Charles Mo. Find myself down there frequently for work. Siemens has an office in Maryland Heights. Great restaurants in St Charles.

Eric

[grizzly]

I don't have a boat, but I fish the White about 14 days a year. I see a bunch of guides using 15-20 hp motors and these guys are constantly on the water. Hopefully someone on here will provide more detail than this, but I think you should be fine

[Amurray]

15HP will work on the White.  I fish somewhere between 75 and 100 days a year on the White and see 15HP motors pushing 20ft river boats.   I would go with a 20HP, if it fits into your budget. 

[Ccox1982]

15 will work no problem.  I personally run a 25 hp, but I like to make long runs at times and want to get there ASAP.  Some resorts on the river even run 9.9 hp on Shawnee boats. Your good to go.

[mhowerton]

The 15hp will be fine. I run a 9.9hp on my Supreme and it does fine.  For making long runs it is slow, but it gives you more time to enjoy the scenery.  Congratulations on your land purchase.  I fish and hunt that part of the river fairly often.  PJs down there is also one of the best restaurants in the area.  

[N9BOW]

Thanks guys!
I don't plan on breaking any speed records but just in case I was out a bit far and the weather changed quickly I would want to be able to get off the river.
I would love to get a 25hp not sure its in the financial cards right now.

I'm pretty excited about the location, Its a sleepy little spot on the White except for when the train comes by  
I slept under the stars at the boat ramp in the back of the truck a few weeks back was blown away at how many stars I saw because there is so little light pollution down there.

I did manage to mess up a teen grope fest. At 1am. A young guy and his gal decided to park down by the river where I was sleeping and when they pulled down the ramp and into the parking lot area they saw me in the back of the truck sleeping in my sleeping bag. I didn't bother to raise my head up seeing how they had their headlight full on me in the bed of the truck, the guy says "Look there is someone in the back of the truck", then I hear her say "is he dead". So I  decided to raise my head and ask If I they needed something (just wanting the lights out of my face) and she screamed bloody murder (was wondering what the campers there thought at the campground). Was good for a chuckle and decided to do some more stargazing seeing how I was back to being wide awake. Anyway. I digress.

Having grown up in the North East in the Kittatinny Mountains along the Appalachian trail I remember starry skies like that.

I am looking forward to trying PJ's restaurant the week I come down to close on the property.
BTW - I love a good pulled pork sandwich and I noticed that about 28 miles from the new place out to the bypass there is a slew of big name fast food places. That's great.. But I'm also looking for some hidden favorites. Maybe in Norfork or Cotter or Calico Rock. If anyone has some suggestions on hidden food gems that would be great also!

Thanks again for all the input

Eric

[snagged in outlet 3]

@Peet Thanks. I see you're from St Charles Mo. Find myself down there frequently for work. Siemens has an office in Maryland Heights. Great restaurants in St Charles.

Eric

Yeah Tony's on Main is one of my favorites.

Ate there Saturday as a matter of fact.

I'm surprised Ham and Griz Wilson haven't replied.

But maybe they are lucky enough to be fishing instead of this.

Pete