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I'm picking up a 13' sport this week for my 14 y/o son. We live in Nags Head NC. it's a bit rough but alot safer and more serviceable than his 14' hydro glass. I need to power it. I'm trying to figure out what size motor and shaft length I need. I have a 28 hp Johnson with a 20" shaft. I don't want to make it a dragster. The fellow i'm getting from had a 50 on it and it was way overpowered according to him. Any suggestions or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
It has a hydraulic trim jack plate installed.

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What year is your BW? If you have the high transom then your 28Hp will work fine. You said you have a hydro trim plate? If it has adjustment for raising or lowering the motor to get the cavitation plate even with the bottom of your transom then you are good to go. If you want to remove it and you have the low transom then you will need the following bracket to install your motor....or something like it.

http://www.kentfab.com/Transdaptor%2013.htm

Mark

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Gotcha I can just adjust the aluminum trim bracket to compensate for the longer shaft, is that what you saying. I believe I looked and couldn't find a serial number but will no more on monday or tuesday. Is the 28 gonna be enough motor? I was thinking a 35 or 40 I want him to be able to ski and pull a wakeboard and he pulls nets and such.

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Don't know much about towing power vs engine size specifics on a 13, but one thing that I would take into consideration is whether he uses 2 skiis, at least to get up, or if he uses a slalom ski. My buddy had a higher performance slalom ski that both feet strapped into, and it took considerably more power to pull him up and out on the one ski than it did to pull someone up who was using two skiis. Just some fruit for thought. If I had to guess I'd say the 28 might be able to pull an experienced skiier out on 2 skiis, but again thats just an educated guess on my part.

Welcome to the site man. Its amazing how helpful everyone here is. These guys know these boats inside and out and like the backs of their hands. Its a wonderful, friendly and resourcefull community.

-Sean

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As far as power goes...I would go with a 40hp if you intend to use the boat to pull skiers. Going back to my younger days with my friends 13' BW he had a 40hp and we were able to pull skiers with 3 people in the boat. This was with a 1968 Evinrude 40hp. I am not sure that modern engines will do the same. I know some of the fastest 40hp made were from the mid 1960's. Don't be affraid of older Evinrudes or Johnson motors. Plenty of parts are still available and they share the same internal components. Powerheads for these motors where the same from 1962-1983 for 40hp and some 33hp and 35hp. I would recommend a motor from the mid 70's to early 80's if you are buying used. They are easy to work on, very robust...hence why there is so many still around and parts are plentiful. They are also cheap on ebay. See my personal page...I bought my 1962 evinrude for $107.00 + 200.00 shipping. Runs like a champ and all I have to do is repaint the motor to make it look nice! Note: Stay away from Electric Shift models if you do not have alot of experience with older motors. They can be expensive to repair and lower unit parts are expensive...if you can find them. Also...early 60's to late 60's motors had a seperate generator and regulator for charging the battery and running accessories. These items are hard to find but easy to recreate from modern parts if you know what you are doing.

As for the newer motors...I will let someone else lend their opinion. The newest motor I own is a 1989 Johnson 150hp on my 18' Arrowglass Bonita and all I have ever done to it is change plugs, waterpump impellers and rebuild carbs. Still runs like a top.

Mark

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If you want a easy to work on and reliable motor, go with a 1980's evinrude/johnson 35 or 40. Simple motor, bullet proof design. The old 2-stroke carb motors were built to last. Of course you need to make sure where you are going to use the motor as some areas are becoming EPA compliant.

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I agree with 40 hp but whatever you do DO NOT exceed 200 lbs motor weight. That comes directly from BW. I just picked up a year 2000 Yamaha 40 2-stroke (187 lbs). I prefer the newer > Y2K engines from Yamaha and Honda because parts aren't much of a problem...you'll so rarely need them. I'm replacing a 1992 Evinrude 40 - in the shop 3 times last summer. I keep hearing what a strong engine it is. Translated - it's easy to repair (good because it so often needs it). Better to spend time boating than fixing.