Motor recommendation for 2016 Lund SSV-14

Hi! I’m a first-time boat buyer and am looking at a 2016 Lund SSV-14. Besides fishing, I want to tour various lakes/rivers in Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana and be able to do so at a decent speed when traveling multiple miles.

Not knowing much about motors, I’m wondering what size I’d need on an SSV-14 to be able to go 20 mph or so. Usually, it would be just my wife and me, but sometimes there could be a third person.

I’ve been looking at a 2016 SSV-14 with a 6 hp 4-stroke Suzuki motor; but with my limited knowledge, I assume that would basically be a good trolling motor but not a “get around the lake in a decent time” motor. Is this correct?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Don

6hp might be a little light…I’d go no less then 20 hp but would max her out at 30 if I could.

We’ve got a new Suzuki 20 on our sv14. Perfect setup. Goes slow with 3 guys but still planes out. Mostly just 2 people and putts along nicely. 25 you’re pushing that threshold of needing a TM in many situations. 30 is too much imo.

A 6 would likely not plane that out. I’d go 25 or 30, but it’s your wallet. A 15 would be as small as I’d go. We have a 2-stroke 15 on a similarly sized boat. Alone, I can get in the upper teens. It’ll also pull my 55-lb son on skis!

Just my opinion.

6 would be good for trolling but not running around. I have a 6hp on my 14 footer which is smaller and lighter than your SSV. Solo I can get 15mph. Add my son and some gear and we’re plowing around 11-12.

Looks like Lund rates that boat for 30 hp max. I have a 16’ Lund WC deluxe and just put a new Yamaha 25 hp 4 stroke on it in the fall. Happy with it so far, get at least 25mph with one person and a bit over 20 mph with two, but have to dial in the prop a bit as it is a bit sluggish with the factory 11 pitch prop with 2 guys and gear so I’m likely going down to a 10 or 9 pitch. I replaced a Merc 25 and would say that motor had a bit more power but was considerably heavier.

If it were me I would look at at least a 25 hp on that boat, as those SSV’s are a relatively heavy small boat. The new Yamaha, Suzuki and merc all have efi at that size and I believe Suzuki and merc have efi on 15 and 20 hp motors but Yamaha doesn’t.

I wouldn’t even consider something as small as a 6 hp outboard on that thing. The general rule is to to max it out if you are able to. In this case, do they even make a 30 hp outboard? If not definitely a 25.

My brothers ssv14 has 25hp.i would go no smaller. My 14 ft alumacraft has 9.9 and plows with 2 guys and gear.
Mwal

I’ve run a 15hp and a 20hp on an older version of this boat that had a slightly narrower beam. Either would plane the boat with 2-3 average sized people. It was slow with 3 and gear. The 20hp with 2 people and gear was about 20mph. I would shoot for a 20hp if the budget allows.

Had a 14 with a 20 Merc. If I were to do it over I’d have the 30 on it.