based on my own live experience a 16 footer with an 18 or 25 is ample enough to get around at whatever speed you get ….. but for trolling a nice inexpensive non gas guzzling little 3hp JW or 4hp Evinrude /johnson/Merc side kicker is great for trolling and helps to “not” row back to camp if the bigger engine dies on you 20 miles out !
but….. if you are running the 18-25 as a tiller and need to comeback to camp on a strong windy day you may feel very insecure. from swamping or flipping.
Large lakes can be nasty and whip up a fast chop .
my 17.5 foot Eclipse rode high on the waves but my friend in a 16 footer with a 25 hp lost all the color on his knuckles ….
Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂
