What's the minimum HP I should get for my aluminum boat?

25 HP is a 14 ft example and 40 HP a 16 ft example, usually for lighter tiller days; a loaded 16 ft console may suit 60 or 90 instead. Check the capacity plate and manufacturer documentation for horsepower, people, and weight limits, then size for the heaviest planned load that still fits.

Is a tiller or remote better for fishing an aluminum boat?

For most serious anglers on aluminum fishing boats, tiller is better, specifically the Mercury Advanced Tiller system giving you throttle, shift, and trim control at your fingertips. Tiller keeps you connected to the boat and lets you make instant micro-adjustments. Available on Mercury FourStroke models from 2.5HP through 115HP. Remote (console) steering is better for family boats, mixed-use hulls, or 18-20ft boats with center-console setups. Solo walleye anglers almost universally prefer tiller.

Should I get Command Thrust on my Mercury outboard?

Usually not, though it is model- and application-specific rather than a blanket rule. On a typical planing aluminum fishing boat, CT trades top-end speed for low-speed push you will rarely use. Standard gearcase is the right call for 14-20 ft aluminum fishing boats around Rice Lake and the Kawarthas. If you want more low-speed control for trolling, add a 9.9 or 15 HP ProKicker (the ProKicker CT is a legitimate trolling-motor configuration). Command Thrust on the main motor makes sense on pontoons, tritoons, and heavy workboats.

What shaft length do I need for an aluminum fishing boat?

Most aluminum fishing boats with a standard transom use a 20-inch (long) shaft outboard. Taller transoms or boats with a jack plate may require a 25-inch (XL) shaft. To determine the right length: measure from the bottom of the transom mounting bracket to the waterline. If that distance is 15-20 inches, use a 20-inch shaft; if 20-25 inches, use a 25-inch shaft. Getting shaft length wrong causes ventilation (prop breaking the surface) or excess drag. When in doubt, have a dealer measure the boat.

How much does it cost to power an aluminum fishing boat in Ontario in 2026?

Examples from the HBW pricing reference checked September 5, 2026: 40ELPT FourStroke $9,438, 60ELPT FourStroke $12,040, and 75ELPT FourStroke $14,476 CAD. These are bare-motor prices for the listed 20-inch remote-control configurations, excluding HST, rigging, controls, and propeller. Shaft length, tiller versus remote control, and gearcase options change the price. For an 18-20ft boat, check the live 115HP FourStroke prices rather than relying on a single horsepower-wide estimate. Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice; HBW often prefers standard on aluminum V-hulls. Build a configured quote at mercuryrepower.ca/quote/motor-selection.

Is EFI worth it over a carbureted motor on an aluminum fishing boat?

For any new motor purchase in 2026, EFI is the standard. Mercury no longer offers carbureted motors in their current lineup. EFI brings instant cold starts, consistent fuel delivery across the RPM range, better fuel economy, and far fewer maintenance issues. If comparing a new EFI to an older carbureted motor you already own, the EFI's reliability and lower maintenance costs typically justify the upgrade within a few seasons, especially for anglers running motors in the cold shoulder seasons.

What should I expect when replacing an older two-stroke with a Mercury FourStroke?

Switching from an older two-stroke to a current Mercury FourStroke EFI is immediately noticeable: the FourStroke runs significantly quieter at trolling speeds, starts instantly without priming, and uses 30-40% less fuel. It runs cleaner with no oil injection to worry about. One adjustment: modern FourStrokes are heavier than comparable two-strokes, which can affect how the boat trims and planes. Proper prop selection after installation, which Harris Boat Works handles as part of any motor sale or repower, corrects this quickly.

What's the best Mercury outboard for a Lund 1675 in Ontario?

The Mercury 75HP EFI FourStroke is the most popular and well-matched motor for a Lund 1675 in Ontario. It gives the 16ft deep-V more than enough power to plane quickly, handle 2-3 anglers with gear, and run open water confidently. For lighter use on calm inland lakes, the standard-gearcase Mercury 60HP is a solid alternative. Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice; HBW often prefers standard on a planing V-hull like the Lund 1675. The 90HP is worth considering for heavy loads or lots of open water running, but is often more than needed for typical use.

Best Mercury for Aluminum Boats 2026

--- > Quick answer: Length alone does not pick the motor. Start with the capacity plate and manufacturer documentation for this hull's horsepower and weight limits, then consider layout, steering, and your usual and heaviest planned load. Where those support it, 40-60 HP is...

Two anglers fishing from an aluminum console boat with a Mercury FourStroke outboard on a calm Kawartha lake

Last reviewed: 2026-09-11

Mercury Premier Dealer·Gores Landing, ON·Quote builder available

Quick answer: Length alone does not pick the motor. Start with the capacity plate and manufacturer documentation for this hull's horsepower and weight limits, then consider layout, steering, and your usual and heaviest planned load. Where those support it, 40-60 HP is an example to compare for 14-16 ft and 60-115 HP for 16-18 ft. Tiller versus remote still follows the boat. A 9.9 ProKicker is worth considering if you troll walleye. Installed pricing at mercuryrepower.ca.

Hull material decision

Aluminum or fiberglass? Same question, two right answers.

Both materials make great boats, but they reward different priorities. Here's the framework we use with HBW customers.

Aluminum

You fish, run shallow water, hit logs or rocks occasionally
You trailer regularly and want a lighter rig
You launch at unimproved ramps where dragging happens
You want lower maintenance and won't repaint or gel-coat-fix
Repair-ability matters to you (welding > fiberglass work)

Lighter, more forgiving, easier to fix. Consider modern welded aluminum (Lund, Princecraft, Legend Tin) when trailering, shallow-water use, and repair options matter to you. For a 16-18 ft example, compare 60-90 HP Mercury where the hull's limits and load support it.

Fiberglass

You want a quieter, smoother ride on bigger water
Cosmetics, gel coat depth, and resale curb appeal matter
You're 18-22+ ft for runabout, bowrider, or wakeboard use
You can absorb higher maintenance (gel coat, blisters, hull cleaning)
You'll keep the boat 8+ years and value the smoother trip

Heavier, more comfortable in chop, prettier. Right answer for runabouts, ski boats, and bigger fiberglass cruisers. 19-23 ft fiberglass with 200+ HP Mercury, $55K-$110K.

When in doubt:Most Kawartha and Rice Lake customers buy aluminum because the trip to the boat is short, the boats hit stuff, and the resale market loves them. Fiberglass is a lifestyle pick on bigger water. Both are right; the wrong one is whatever doesn't match how you actually boat.

How we think about aluminum fishing boats

We rig aluminum fishing boats every season at HBW. On Rice Lake and across the Kawarthas, they're the workhorse of cottage fishing, lightweight, easy to trailer, manageable to maintain.

The mistakes we see are consistent: underbuying on HP, skipping the kicker, running the wrong prop, or choosing Command Thrust without checking the hull, load, propeller, and rigging. Fix any one of those and the boat performs noticeably better than before.

Here's how to think through each decision.

What changes the right motor for your aluminum fishing boat

Hull length and weight. A 14-foot tin boat needs less HP than a 19-foot console. Aluminum hulls are lighter than equivalent fiberglass, so HP requirements trend lower than the same-length fiberglass alternative.

Tiller or remote control. Tiller boats under 20 HP are drop-in installs, no rigging required. Console boats need remote-control motors with cables, controls, and prop. Different cost structure entirely.

How many people and how much gear. Solo angler trolling at 3 mph has completely different HP needs than a family of three who want to run between spots.

Where you fish. Protected bays on smaller Kawartha lakes vs. open Rice Lake in the afternoon vs. Lake Ontario. Bigger, windier water changes the practical HP minimum.

Whether you have a kicker. A 9.9 ProKicker on a fishing boat is the standard for trolling speed control. Without one, you're either sacrificing main-motor performance or sacrificing trolling control. You can't optimize both with one motor.

Best Mercury by boat size

12–14 ft tin boat (solo or two-person, sheltered water)

Best fit: 9.9 to 15 HP tiller. The Mercury 9.9 MH, 15 MH, or 15 EH (electric start) are all drop-in, no-rigging purchases. For pure solo fishing on small lakes, a 9.9 MH is plenty. Step up to 15 if you have a heavier hull or want a bit more cruise speed.

14–16 ft tiller or console aluminum

Example to compare: 25 to 60 HP, tiller without a console, remote with one. For a 16-foot console with two anglers and gear, a 60 HP FourStroke is worth comparing, provided the capacity plate, manufacturer documentation, and your planned loads allow it. Installed pricing: mercuryrepower.ca.

16–18 ft console aluminum (the most common Kawartha repower)

Examples to compare: 90 to 115 HP FourStroke. The 90 EXLPT and 115 EXLPT are motors we often install on 16-18 ft consoles where the hull's documented limits, steering, and a heavier family or open-water load support them.

For tournament-style fishing or bigger open water, step up to 115 Pro XS. The Pro XS earns the premium if you actually run it hard. For typical recreational fishing, FourStroke is the better value.

18–20 ft aluminum with deep-V hull

Best fit: 115 to 150 HP. Larger aluminum fishing boats with deep-V hulls need real HP to plane reliably with a full load. The 115 Pro XS or 150 FourStroke/Pro XS land here.

The kicker question

For serious fishing on Rice Lake or the Kawarthas, a kicker motor isn't optional, it's the standard fishing setup. The reasons:

Trolling speed control. A main motor at idle is almost always too fast for walleye trolling at 1–2 mph. The 9.9 ProKicker idles down to true trolling speed.

Backup propulsion. A failed main motor on the water is a tow back to the dock. A kicker gets you home.

Fuel economy at slow speeds. A 90 HP main motor at 1.5 mph wastes fuel. A 9.9 at the same speed sips it.

Stealth. Quieter in shallow water.

The Mercury 9.9 ProKicker is the standard, long shaft, high-thrust gearcase, purpose-built for fishing applications. We rig kickers as part of most fishing boat repower projects.

A kicker can be worth the added cost when slow trolling, backup propulsion, or long runs from shore are central to how you use the boat. Compare the configured price, added weight, controls, maintenance, and the actual backup range you need.

Common mistakes on aluminum fishing boat repowers

Ready to find your motor?

Build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca, real pricing in CAD on the full configuration: main motor, kicker, rigging, prop, and install.

What we see at HBW

Many 14-17 ft tinnies and modest-load consoles that come through our service bay run a 25-60 HP FourStroke. For some 17-footers carrying 3-4 people and gear, the 60 EFI (standard gearcase) is worth comparing; a 90-115 on a heavier 16-18 ft console suits a different load and water. Command Thrust remains a hull, load, and propeller choice; HBW often prefers standard on these planing V-hulls.

Read the capacity plate and manufacturer documentation before quoting. The shop still turns down a 90 when that hull is rated for 60.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum HP I should get for my aluminum boat?: 25 HP is a 14 ft example and 40 HP a 16 ft example, usually for lighter tiller days; a loaded 16 ft console may suit 60 or 90 instead. Check the capacity plate and manufacturer documentation for horsepower, people, and weight limits, then size for the heaviest planned load that still fits.
Is a tiller or remote better for fishing an aluminum boat?: For most serious anglers on aluminum fishing boats, tiller is better, specifically the Mercury Advanced Tiller system giving you throttle, shift, and trim control at your fingertips. Tiller keeps you connected to the boat and lets you make instant micro-adjustments. Available on Mercury FourStroke models from 2.5HP through 115HP. Remote (console) steering is better for family boats, mixed-use hulls, or 18-20ft boats with center-console setups. Solo walleye anglers almost universally prefer tiller.
Should I get Command Thrust on my Mercury outboard?: Usually not, though it is model- and application-specific rather than a blanket rule. On a typical planing aluminum fishing boat, CT trades top-end speed for low-speed push you will rarely use. Standard gearcase is the right call for 14-20 ft aluminum fishing boats around Rice Lake and the Kawarthas. If you want more low-speed control for trolling, add a 9.9 or 15 HP ProKicker (the ProKicker CT is a legitimate trolling-motor configuration). Command Thrust on the main motor makes sense on pontoons, tritoons, and heavy workboats.
What shaft length do I need for an aluminum fishing boat?: Most aluminum fishing boats with a standard transom use a 20-inch (long) shaft outboard. Taller transoms or boats with a jack plate may require a 25-inch (XL) shaft. To determine the right length: measure from the bottom of the transom mounting bracket to the waterline. If that distance is 15-20 inches, use a 20-inch shaft; if 20-25 inches, use a 25-inch shaft. Getting shaft length wrong causes ventilation (prop breaking the surface) or excess drag. When in doubt, have a dealer measure the boat.
How much does it cost to power an aluminum fishing boat in Ontario in 2026?: Examples from the HBW pricing reference checked September 5, 2026: 40ELPT FourStroke $9,438, 60ELPT FourStroke $12,040, and 75ELPT FourStroke $14,476 CAD. These are bare-motor prices for the listed 20-inch remote-control configurations, excluding HST, rigging, controls, and propeller. Shaft length, tiller versus remote control, and gearcase options change the price. For an 18-20ft boat, check the live 115HP FourStroke prices rather than relying on a single horsepower-wide estimate. Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice; HBW often prefers standard on aluminum V-hulls. Build a configured quote at mercuryrepower.ca/quote/motor-selection.
Is EFI worth it over a carbureted motor on an aluminum fishing boat?: For any new motor purchase in 2026, EFI is the standard. Mercury no longer offers carbureted motors in their current lineup. EFI brings instant cold starts, consistent fuel delivery across the RPM range, better fuel economy, and far fewer maintenance issues. If comparing a new EFI to an older carbureted motor you already own, the EFI's reliability and lower maintenance costs typically justify the upgrade within a few seasons, especially for anglers running motors in the cold shoulder seasons.
What should I expect when replacing an older two-stroke with a Mercury FourStroke?: Switching from an older two-stroke to a current Mercury FourStroke EFI is immediately noticeable: the FourStroke runs significantly quieter at trolling speeds, starts instantly without priming, and uses 30-40% less fuel. It runs cleaner with no oil injection to worry about. One adjustment: modern FourStrokes are heavier than comparable two-strokes, which can affect how the boat trims and planes. Proper prop selection after installation, which Harris Boat Works handles as part of any motor sale or repower, corrects this quickly.
What's the best Mercury outboard for a Lund 1675 in Ontario?: The Mercury 75HP EFI FourStroke is the most popular and well-matched motor for a Lund 1675 in Ontario. It gives the 16ft deep-V more than enough power to plane quickly, handle 2-3 anglers with gear, and run open water confidently. For lighter use on calm inland lakes, the standard-gearcase Mercury 60HP is a solid alternative. Command Thrust is a hull, load, and propeller choice; HBW often prefers standard on a planing V-hull like the Lund 1675. The 90HP is worth considering for heavy loads or lots of open water running, but is often more than needed for typical use.

Harris Boat Works · 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON · (905) 342-2153

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