Greater width for better stability.Jons come in various widths. Yep shallow draft. A propguard for a tiller motor would be my first choice,even an old pitchfork as a rock guard if need be with attention paid to motors tip up when obstacle hit being kept in proper adjustment.. The reason for not going go devil or mud motor is service/parts and noise. A study of most used motors in locality may be a key to service part availability and cold weather performance.
A jet motor I,d go stainless on the impeller in case of gravel. A marine jack plate has been a more frequently used item in shallow water in southern states and brings better,efficiency wise, use in shallow water of a prop driven motor.. Manual,electric or hydraulic.
A flat bottom in calm water is fine. River running probably too. They get run in rough waves on occasion but its not pleasant .The bow of the boat gets used more than other boats ,as transom rises the bow engages,kinda surf board working.The compromise style hulls can cut waves better but you will when waves are higher get the pounding on your flat area behind that raised area still. But if your running fast more often on calm water you,ll get better performance. Theres a reason for hull choice ,depending on geographic location, inshore or off and water conditions,load and purpose. A semi-v bottom a mid road option. One little twelve footer semi-v here run for decades was bought for portaging . A little four horse,a pair of oars and it can be run shallow. Tilt motor up and row in inches of water. The deep v fourteen needs a couple feet of water and no rowing going to happen, though many fourteens both deep and semi -v are much lighter and row fine.. Fun choices abound ,once majority of purpose determined, who,s been running what and proven its effectiveness doing the same thing? If you have boat rentals around you peek at their choices in hulls and motors. Many will be an all around compromise, but tough. A spare prop and everything to change it out will be insurance. Casual shopping for a used beater prop after that may allow a better price and its use when you know its going to be dicey conditions for it. With shear pins,(spares aboard please) and slip hubs on some props, there are built in weak spots that if driven respectfully prolong an outboards life if an occasional obstacle gets whacked.
As long as you leave rough seas alone, and you can always beach it if it gets to blowing to hard if your prepared to wait it out. The craft your considering should serve your purpose,sixteen long for me to see what I,m running over but a great length for all around.Keep track of run time in silty or sandy water and replace cooling system impeller more often to ensure longer engine life.
