Re Propping 83 Merc on 72 Seafari

[oldbluesplayer]

another Seafari 20 owner chiming in - you will love that boat, and, contrary to what some will say, a 115 is decent power for her, she should top out around 30 - 33, more than you can run is open sea anyways. I wouldn't go beyond that motor-weight range, or the old Johnson V-4, without raising the transom to 25".

Fr. Frank is the man when it comes to the old Merc's, listen to him.

And as others have said, that transom work looks a little scary. If you say it's solid, for now, ok, but from the looks of it, I think you want to plan a transom rebuild, combined with raising to 25", within a few years, coinciding with the future repower.

Fun, and very capable, boat.

Bill