weight and motor capacity (CONFUSED)

Question
HI! I HAVE A 1987 13 FT 6 INCH LONG AND 46 INCH BEAM SEARS GAMEFISHER ALUMINUM FLATBOTTOM JON BOAT! THE CAPACITY STICKER IS SO FADED YOU CANT READ IT! THE ID# IS SEA52032F687! COULD YOU TELL ME WHAT THE POSSIBLE WEIGHT AND MOTOR CAPACITY WOULD BE? I WENT TO THE SEARS SIGHT AND THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE BOAT! THANKS DANNY8656

Answer
Your weight capacity is length time width divided by 15  or 3.6 passengers.  You should stick with a 5 hp or less.  With a flat bottom you probable don't want to plain much.  So your top speed will be the sq. ft. of 13.5  (3.65) times 1.28 for a top speed of 4.67 Knots.  Your 5 hp even a 2 hp will achieve that speed in calm conditions.

If you plain that flat bottom be careful on turns as flat bottoms can slip until the edge catches which could send you over.  You may want a small motor and a good boat bottom.  Go to www.boat-bottom-paint.com for a free cost analysis.