Buying Guide
What size outboard motor do I need?
Choosing a boat engine starts with the boat itself. This guide focuses on choosing an outboard engine for your boat: check the manufacturer's limits, then consider your hull, loaded boat use and shaft length.
Start with the transom plate
Every boat has a maximum rated horsepower, usually shown on a plate near the transom or in the builder's documentation. Never exceed it — it is a safety and insurance limit, not a suggestion. Choose within that limit, and lean towards the upper half if you carry weight.
Then consider load and use
- Load. Crew, fuel, catch, gear and water all count. A boat that planes easily when empty may struggle when loaded.
- Use. Getting a loaded boat onto the plane quickly needs more power than pottering around a dam.
- Conditions. Open water, chop and current demand more reserve power than sheltered inland water.
- Distance. Long runs favour an engine that cruises comfortably rather than one working at full throttle.
Quick reference — the Africa Marine range
| Model | Power | Type | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AM15 | 15HP | Two-Stroke Outboard | Tenders, Small fishing boats, Inland transport |
| AM25 | 25HP | Four-Stroke Diesel Outboard | Workboats, Commercial fishing, Long-range transport |
| AM30 | 30HP | Two-Stroke Outboard | Fishing boats, Utility vessels, Inflatables |
| AM40 | 40HP | Two-Stroke Outboard | Commercial operators, Sport boats, Work craft |
| AM60 | 60HP | Four-Stroke Outboard | Heavier boats, Twin-engine rigs, Offshore fishing |
Treat this as a starting point. Confirm the choice against your boat's rated maximum and speak to a dealer who can see the hull.
Don't forget shaft length
Power is only half the fit. Shaft length must match your transom height — too short and the propeller ventilates, too long and you drag. Measure the transom before ordering, or ask your dealer to check it.
Common questions
- What size outboard motor do I need for my boat?
- Start with the maximum horsepower rating on your boat's transom plate, then choose within it based on the load you carry, the water you use and how quickly you need to plane. Loaded and open-water boats should sit in the upper half of the rating.
- Can I fit an outboard bigger than the boat's rating?
- No. The rated maximum is a safety limit set by the boat builder and exceeding it affects handling and insurance cover.
- How do I know which shaft length to order?
- Measure the transom height from the top of the transom to the bottom of the hull. Short and long shaft options suit different transom heights — your dealer can confirm the correct fit.
Need a recommendation?
Tell us about your boat and how you use it, and we'll point you at the right engine and a dealer near you.