im trying to find out what the maximum engine size is for a 1959 vanguard runabout 14'ft?

Question

this boat came with a 45 hp merc on it and in advertisements ive seen it with what seems to be a larger style merc but i cannot seem to find any information on vanguard or find anyone with knowledge of the max engine size

Answer 1

Sorry don't know the specs for a '59, but I can tell you this, that the 45hp that was advertised on it has less power than the current 45hp units... this is because they used to measure the hp at the engine not at the propeller... given the fact that there can be 5%+ loss of power in the gearing, the '59 45hp was likely only about 42...

...therefore, even if you only went to a newer 50hp you'd be gaining ~8hp or about 20%... While I have seen similar boats with larger outboards than 50hp, IMO Iwouldn't want to mount much more than that on a 47y/o boat of that size/type...

Something also to consider, is in Canada the coast guard will let you off with about 10% more than the boat manufacture's stated HP mounted on her... Don't know about the US, but imagine it's about the same tolerance... Since you don't have the deco attached to her you don't want to stand out... the last thing you need would be to get fined and then have to invest in another engine...

Answer 2

old glass boats are VERY heavy with less than ideal hull shapes.
On a 14 ft glass cruiser I'd have nothing less than 65-70hp on it.
Have the transom inspected (they're usually built very very robust) for cracks and rot in the wood laminate but a modern 70hp Yamaha weighs much less than the old Mark45 Merc.
That would be the motor I'd choose hands down...Oil Injection and bullet proof reliability.