Small Outboard Motor Boats: The Right Boat, the Right Motor, No Guesswork
Every great lake story starts the same way: a small boat, a small motor, and someone who finally stopped renting. Here is how to make that someone you.
Small outboard motor boats are boats, usually under 18 feet, pushed by a compact engine of about 2.5 to 30 HP that mounts on the back (the transom) instead of sitting inside the hull.
The Saturday Mike stopped paying for rentals
Mike had a 14-foot aluminum jon boat his uncle left him and a habit of renting a noisy, smoky motor from the marina every summer weekend at $90 a pop. By August he had spent more on rentals than a brand-new 9.9 HP four-stroke costs.
So he did the math that most small-boat owners do too late. A small outboard motor boat is the cheapest way onto the water that still feels like freedom: light enough to trailer behind a sedan, simple enough to launch alone, and cheap enough to run on a few gallons for a whole day of fishing.
The trick is matching the motor to the boat. Too little horsepower and you crawl home against the wind. Too much and you exceed the boat’s capacity plate, which is both unsafe and, in most states, a ticketable offense. Mike’s plate said 25 HP max. He picked a 15 HP electric-start four-stroke, and his first trip ended with a cooler full of crappie and zero rental receipts.
That is the whole game: read your capacity plate, size for your load, buy once.
What size outboard does a small boat need?
Most small outboard motor boats run best at about 60 to 90 percent of their rated maximum horsepower. Use this chart as your starting point.
| Boat type | Typical length | Recommended HP | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable dinghy / tender | 8–10 ft | 2.5–6 HP | Light, portable, one-hand carry |
| Canoe (square stern) / kayak mount | 14–17 ft | 2.5–4 HP or electric | Low weight on a narrow hull |
| Jon boat | 12–14 ft | 9.9–25 HP | Flat hull planes easily |
| Aluminum fishing boat / skiff | 14–16 ft | 15–30 HP | Carries 2–3 anglers and gear |
| Sailboat auxiliary | 18–26 ft | 4–9.9 HP long shaft | Docking and calm-day cruising |
Best small outboard motors for small boats, in stock now
Hand-picked from our current lineup. Prices shown are starting prices in USD.
How to choose a motor for your small boat in 5 steps
- Read the capacity plate. It lists maximum horsepower and weight. Never go over it.
- Measure the transom. About 15 in means a short shaft; about 20 in means a long shaft. Wrong shaft length costs speed and can overheat the motor.
- Pick your start. Tiller with pull start is lightest and cheapest; electric start adds convenience and a battery.
- Weigh it honestly. If you will lift it onto the boat alone, stay under about 60 lb (roughly 9.9 HP and below).
- Choose your brand by service. Mercury, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda and Tohatsu all have strong US dealer networks for parts.
- Four-stroke motors: quiet, fuel-efficient, no oil mixing.
- Electric (Torqeedo): silent, ideal for electric-only lakes.
- Pair your motor with a marine battery if you choose electric start.
Small outboard motor boats: FAQ
What is the best small boat for an outboard motor?
For most buyers a 12–14 ft aluminum jon boat is the best starter: stable, light, cheap to trailer and happy with a 9.9 to 15 HP outboard.
How fast will a small outboard motor boat go?
A 14 ft jon boat with a 15 HP four-stroke and one person typically runs around 18–24 mph. A 9.9 HP usually lands around 13–18 mph. Load, hull and prop change the numbers.
Do I need to register a small outboard motor boat?
In most US states any boat with a motor, including electric, must be registered. Check your state boating agency before launch.
Is a 2-stroke or 4-stroke better for a small boat?
For most owners a 4-stroke. It is quieter, uses less fuel, needs no oil mixing and meets current EPA emissions rules. Every gas motor we sell is a 4-stroke.
Your boat already has a spot on the transom.
Fill it with a motor that fits. Tell us your boat, we will match the HP.