This past June i bought a brand new Alumacraft 15' by 60" rivited jon boat from academy, and was planning on putting a 27 hp prodrive on it. My question is does anyone have a similar set up, and if so will the boat handle such a motor? Seeing that it is a thinner grade of aluminum than the alweld boats. (can the Transom handle the torque?)

Thanks to all.

got a rivited 14x48 with a 23 and its fine. 4 years now and no transom problems. it has alot to do with what you are going to do with the boat. shallow open water will be fine. if you put it in the mud, heavy veg or stumps and timber you may not hold up as well. i use mine in a river with gravel bars. most people run jets. ive hit a few rocks but no holes in the boat, very few dents. i dont have to work the motor alot so the transom doesnt get alot of abuse. if i was in the mud ide say ide have problems.

Yea thats what i was thinking, but running it through lilly pads and moss i should be fine? i ask this because i will be running it in lake sommerville in texas and thats all that is there.

Just have the transom braced up a bit more right now... It is only a 100 dollars or so.. Better safe than sorry

ok. and is a prodrive my best bet?, im new at this and im 17 so its kind of a learn from trial and era thing. but appreciate any advise i can get.....

ok thanks to all

You might put a tape on that boat ,because I used to have an alumacraft that I bought from academy,and it wasnt near that wide.But then again I might be wrong.I just never seen academy carry a boat of that size. my boat was a 15/48

lol yea after i put that i pulled out my papers and it said its 48" wide.

You measure the width at the bottom, the top width all matters on how the boat was crimped.

Im pretty sure that the top is 60 ill have to take a tape to it though not for sure.

on a 16x48 the 48 is at the bottom. the beam is at the top or widest spot. the bottom is what matters. when you see someone talk about a 16x48 or what ever x what ever the bottom is the important part.