---

I recently picked up an old 13 with a rough Evinrude that hadn't been started for years. Even more odd they had bolted cables to the motor to use the original steering but it's a tiller model. They also used a throttle type setup to clamp to the tiller clutch bit not the throttle. There is no throttle cable provision yet With COVID disrupting supply chains and so many people getting out all the boat shops are out of inventory and can't work on a power for more than 2 months

My use will be fishing with 2 kids, 6 and 3 around local lakes with trips into the Puget Sound to drop crab traps and fish.

Looking for options I'm not thrilled with the several I've seen. The used motor market is terrible so that's not a real option so I'm left with the alternatives.

1. I've found some new inventory tiller models that are in stock, a 25 Tohatsu and a few 10s. I could disconnect the steering and just run the tiller. I have to juggle the inside spacing a little bit we can still have eveeyhing loaded we want. The steering there will be useless and I may just replace that wood.

2. I've found a 10HP Suzuki motor with all the required cables for the throttle.

Both are not ideal options. The tiller egos aren't ideal but will be able to poke around at a better place. The 10 will allow me to use the boat more as intended but will be powered at the minimum spec which I don't like either.

Thoughts on which of them are the better option?

---

I just finished going through a similar search regarding a 1973 13' Standard that I purchased in January and spent several months restoring.

If your 13 is a 1971, this was the year BW switched from blue to tan interior, no "smirk" to smirk, but more importantly from 15" to 20" transom. So the one you have is important to know because it affects motor choices.

My Whaler is a 1973 but nonetheless has tan interior and 15" transom. It is somewhat of an anomaly.

I began restoring my 1981 Evinrude 25 Commercial, but ran into some difficulties. I have not given up on it but began to look for another motor because of how long it was taking to restore the 1981 motor.

I found, like you, that it was difficult to find anything. New motors were like hen's teeth due to Covid. A dealer told me that all the motors being made were going to boat manufacturers who sold complete packages, and the individual wanting to re-power be damned. Another dealer told me Yamaha owed him 85 motors. In any case, there aren't many motors under 40 HP still being made for 15" transoms.

When the opportunity to pick up a lightly used Evinrude e-tec 30 HP for a reasonable price, I jumped on it. Also within 100 miles. I had seen one before, but far away.

I am not giving you the advice you wanted, but I am writing to say you have to be patient and keep looking.

---

Returning to your question, definitely the Tohatsu 25. At 157 lbs, it is about the same weight as my Evinrude e-tec 30 hp. A lot of people put heavier motors on a classic 13, but I would not. It goes scary fast as it is with the 30. And it sits low enough with the 30 for water to come in th drain plug even with no one in the boat.

10 HP would not be enough to get the most out of the boat, IMO.

---

Thank you Martin. The 25 went out of stock after posting this and I was able to find a Honda remote steer 20 with power tilt that I was able to buy. There has been a heck of a time getting a motor so while not ideal getting this was a boon. I'm shimming the transom now so that I can get it drilled and bolted on this weekend and then rig and get confidence in the water before crab season opens here in Puget sound on July 1.

---

Good for you. The Honda 20 should do fine on the classic 13'. Being a Honda you should expect a long trouble-free life.

---

I am repowering a 1969 13'. I cant seem to find a four stroke motor anywhere. I do have access to a honda 50hp. Would this work? what are the downfalls? Thanks

---

If you are speaking of the current Honda 50, AFAIK they only come in 20" or 25" shaft. Your 1969 13' had a 15" transom, unless someone has filled in the notched transom, and in that case I would question the strength, unless I really knew how it was done.

I know others may disagree, but IMO a 50 is too much motor for a 13'. Too much power and too heavy. The boat will sit low in the water when not on a plane, and at speed the center of gravity will be high. I know folks who put a 2-stroke 70 HP on a 13' Whaler back in the day, but I just think that was over the top.

I admit I am a bit conservative about outboard power, but I put a 30 HP Evinrude e-tec on my 13, and that is more than enough motor for me.

---

Am I able to use the mahogany jack plate that I have seen advertised?

---

Others will have to comment on that. I am not familiar.

---

It is a mahogany transom extension. Does anyone know if I can use it with a 20" shaft motor?

---

I believe those transom extensions that fill in the transom to the top need a 20" shaft. I agree with other comments that I question the strength of it being able to handle the thrust and weight of too large a motor.

---

Those mahogany extensions are pretty but will not hold up over time. they certainly will not bring joy with an overpowered & overweight engine.

It's not that hard to find a 15" shaft engine.

---

I want a 40hp four stroke motor. It seems to be impossible to find one.

---

Gooood luck.

I went with the 20HP for that very reason (availability) and it's a lighter engine. I don't need to be 30+ mph. As long as I can get on plane with the family it'll be good.

---

I have to tap on this one. Ive looked through the manuals and online and can't for the life of me find where on the stupid motor I'm supposed to connect the electronic cables that are coming from the remote box. I've installed my throttle and clutch cables but can't see where inside the motor a spot to connect the wires.

---

I don't care how stupid it may seem but my amazing wife pulled in one little wire and duh, the connectors were tucked up under part of the housing. She found it in 2 minutes when I was ab ape looking low.

---

Well, yesterday I got a battery, charged it up, and this morning for the first time with gas in the tank and the outboard I'm a big tote of water fired her up and let idle for 15. It was so satisfying. I can't wait to get it out on the water (granted I can because I don't want to fight 4th of July boat launch madness.

---

Took it out first thing this morning after dropping kids off at daycare (I didn't want a 6 and 3 year old to see how disastrous it could be). Launched the boat fine but realized that I didn't have the throttle and clutch cables configured correctly. Took apart the control box in the parking lot, relaunched, and hallelujah it started up and puttered just fine. Ran it per Honda specs and break-in for 2 hours. Now I'm stoked to take the boys out, drop some crab pots, and getting the boat to work.

As an aside the break in said it could run max throttle for bursts of 30 seconds or less. I didn't run it that much but after on plane around 12 mph it maxed out around 23 mph. It gets on plane quick but holy cow the trim is picky. A tap of the trim before run-up is the difference between clawing at the sky or the front being dead flat