how many horsepower needed to plane a flat bottom boat
Boat weight to HP ratio ? Take your boat weight and divide by 50. So, a 1000 lb boat (boat, motor, gear, passengers), flat bottom or still water would take 20HP to plane. If your boat with all gear is heavier, it will take more HP to plane.If your boat has a v-hull, it will take more HP to plane.If your boat is in rough water, it will take more HP to plane.Note: this is only to plane, not run around at 30 MPH. So, let's look at this. You have an aluminum boat that weighs 450 lbs. You weigh 250 lbs. You carry 6 gal of gas (total weight approx 48 lbs).This is now a total of 750 lbs. You will need a MINIMUM of 15 hp to plane. So, you stick a 15 hp engine on it and you are happy.ou have an aluminum boat that weighs 450 lbs. You weigh 250 lbs. You carry 6 gal of gas (total weight approx 48 lbs). This is now a total of 750 lbs. You will need a MINIMUM of 15 hp to plane. So, you stick a 15 hp engine on it and you are happy.