How to Calculate Engine Size for 14' Boat
Deciding how to power your 14-foot boat depends on two factors: the manufacturer's recommended horsepower and the way you use your boat. Boat industry design standards are uniform and based on the "Standards and Recommended Practices for Small Craft" produced by the American Boat and Yacht Council. While these industry standards give you a good guideline to calculate your needed horsepower, your boating habits are the practical factor in choice of motors.
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Instructions
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Look at the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) Certification Plate on the hull. It's usually located at the rear of the boat near where the engine will be mounted. This plate specifies the number of people the boat's designed for and the maximum recommended horsepower for the hull design.
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Add 10 percent to the recommended horsepower by using a calculator to multiply the horsepower rating by 1.1. If the NMMA plate says you should use a 50-horse motor, multiply 50 horsepower by 1.1. The result is 55 horsepower. If you usually go out on your boat with family and friends, you'll need a little extra horsepower to move a larger load. The larger motor won't labor as much, meaning it will operate more economically than the lower horsepower motor for the load and won't overheat or strain.
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Subtract 10 percent from the recommended horsepower by 1.1. Again, if the NMMA plate rates the boat for a 50-horsepower motor, divide 50 horsepower by 1.1. The answer: 45 horsepower (rounded down from 45.45) would be good if you usually boat by yourself; the boat will be light and the smaller engine will provide the same performance as a larger engine simply because of the lighter load.
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