I got a 14 ft. alum boat w/ hi sides, and i was wondering how a 9.9 motor would fare on it.. how much is one? What kind of name brands shouldi look at, mercury, johnson, evirude? what you think? I need some help guys.. thankx in advance

People use duct tape to fix things, god used nails.

What does the Coast Guard plate read on the transom? Is the boat still in good condition? What HP is it rated for?
By your description so far I would think more on the lines of a 15 horsepower engine. Will you use it on salt water? That might make a difference in choice of brand of motor.
BTW Johnson and Evinrude are both OMC products so it's which one you like the looks of better. On the older ones, the Evinrudes were quieter because of the hoods on them.

it's all in good condition, i think it is rated for like a 20? my grandpa has a 18hp nissan that he'll let me use later but for now, i'm having to use a 9.9, no, it will not be used for saltwater, it's a flatbottom river runner... wut about mercury? are they good motors?

Mercury used to make a 9.8 but I'm not up on the newer ones. A Nissan? Never heard of one but that dont mean much. Anyway, anything between 8 and 12 horse should be able to get you on plane alone, or with 2 people with the 10 or higher. Your looking at 15 to 20 MPH tops alone. But lots of fun just the same. I used to pull a skier on a 3&1/2 foot round piece of plywood with a 10 horse Johnson. What a blast! You could spin around in circles like trick skis. This was on a 14 foot narrow fiberglass boat. Have fun but one word to the wise. Chain the motor to the transom. That's how I lost mine then I got an 18 for it.
Make sure you get the right length shaft for the boat. When the cavitation plate is just below the hull you get the best hole shots and efficiency. I've seen long shafts on short shaft boats and they were dogs and porpoised or plowed, nothing in between.
A good trick is to put a 3/4 inch piece of wood to prop up the motor on the transom to get more speed but can get airbound in the prop area on rough water. Try it both ways.

bump

People use duct tape to fix things, god used nails.

get the biggest motor that the boat will allow for the money you have available. I have a 14' aluminum semi-vee with a 9.9 mercury on it. It goes like a bat outta hell with me alone in it, but you add another person and it slows down alot. The lakes I fish aren't really that big, so speed isn't a big factor with me. It's not the boat that catches the fish anyway !!!!!

Check out the lakes that your are going to be fishing on and make sure they are going to be OK with 2 stroke motors. More and more lakes are not allowing the 2 strokes. I agree with the other guys, the more motor you can safely put on your boat the better. I've fished on a 14 footer with a 9.9 Mercury for years and on one lake it takes at least 45 minutes at full speed to get to "the spot". That is with two guys and gear, add another guy and you might as well use oars. Alright its not that bad but its close, especially when you're racing some bass boat to the same spot.

Would this be faster then the 9.9, w/ just me in the boat? I want speed but i dun wanna spend gobs of money, i don't want mcuh speed, can anyone tell me how good these bass buster style boats float anyway? i'm lokin at the "pond prowler" by Bass Pro Shops.. any help is appreciated...

People use duct tape to fix things, god used nails.