[Blue_Heron]

I guess I'm late to the dance... My $0.02

• My 25 had a 260hp Mercruiser (blown) when I got it. The PO said the boat would run 40mph with it. My 300HP IO will push it to almost 45 if I prop for speed and run light. Propped for normal use, it cruises at 30mph and tops out around 40 depending on load.

• I did a "back of the napkin" moment calculation once on the CG effect of a single outboard on a bracket, twins on a bracket, and a single V8 IO. Twins shift the CG aft, no surprise. A single OB on a bracket won't move the LCG aft, but it will move the VCG upward. Put a 30gal water tank under the cabin sole and call it good.

• I believe a 250 OB will be plenty of power, but it won't be a race boat. The key to low speed planing will be the prop. If you go Merc 2 stroke, get an Opti, not an EFI. The keel on this boat is deep. You will want a 30" shaft unless you like running the powerhead very close to waterline at idle.

• One advantage of an OB is engine height adjustment. My Bravo drive is mounted about 1/2" higher than recommended by Mercruiser, and it's probably 2"-3" lower than it should be. The steep deadrise angle has a huge effect on correct engine height.