I figured there might be something wrong with the bracketed motor setup, but played around for a while with no success (motor trim, tabs, etc). The bracket was air filled, built for 2 motors. The fuel tank started back at the transom (boat was converted from an I/O so they put it there in the empty motor space), but was only 1/4 full, so the extra weight shouldn't have been an issue. Full I'd imagine it would be even more of a pig. The layout of the boat due to the bracket was fantastic, I could have played football in the cockpit. The motor sounded like a happy OX66, but it was mounted as low as possible on the bracket. Wasn't throwing too much of a tail so I figured the height was pretty close, just the motor wasn't enough to push it. I'm still learning here though. The rest of the boat was a little tired, but I could get past that if the performance was there.
Tho one with the diesel inboard was pretty cool. The way it ran it felt like a 30 footer with an inboard. Had some real nice flatline humps behind it around 6kts and nothing sounds like a diesel. My guess with this boat is someone had big plans for a sweet little pocket fisherman when they built it, but probably never performed as well as they wanted so they sold it (converted from an I/O in 2005/2006 and sold to a new owner). The shaft was angled about 18 degrees off the keel, and the wheel that was spinning on it was about 1/2 an inch from the keel as well. The bottom paint was blown off just above the swing of the prop and it looked to be starting to eat at the gel coat. The motor install was really nicely done, but the boat was tiered and I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger on it. At 16kts, 3100 rpm, the flowscan showed about 7 gals/hr, but at that speed the mileage is pretty close to a big outboard pushing you along quite a bit faster. The math didn't work out for me.
As far as moving at 25kts in Buzzards Bay goes, mornings can be beautiful (fishing) and from experience, it's nice to be able to do it when you can. I don't mind 15-16kts, but if I'm doing it I'd want the fuel economy to be there and it would probably be in a boat with downeast in the name. Not ready for one of those yet though. I still want a smaller, quicker fishing boat at this point of my life.
Is there any big notable jump in perfoprmance with a 250 or 300 hp from anyones experience (from 225)? By the sounds of it most are saying the 225 should do pretty well. I just haven't experienced it personally yet I guess. :-)
And thanks, I really appreciate the replies. This is turning out to be a much harder decision for me that I initially thought it would be. It's stressful looking to buy a boat!
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