Help me build my dream SF20!

[pelican]

My thoughts :

No ETEC ! There’s a reason BRP quit producing them - that’s all I’m gonna say on that subject .
You want a 4 stroke - either Yamaha or Suzuki . Suzuki motors suffered from serious corrosion problems - that situation has been solved ! The lower hp models are basically bulletproof, like yamahas .Suzuki’,seen problems with 350’s and their duo prop lowers, actually an updated gear case for them. Seen various powerhead problems as well.

Raising the transom to 25” is the way to go.no bracket ! Bracket offsets weight and will make the boat squirrelly , it’s all about weight my friend. Simple physics , you extend that weight further aft and it increases - leverage ….

Raising the deck is the smart play - do away with the original scuppers and either run the scuppers thru the hull side or out the transom.you don’t want wet feet all day right .

Not a fan of jackplates, mount the motor to the transom and use the “bulkhead” style hydraulic hoses , much cleaner install.rigging tube for the motor - wire harness, battery cabling and fuel lines heaped together looks terrible.

Trailer - tandem axle with brakes is the way to go - get torsion axles and disc brakes. Use “v guides” instead of the pvc bow rest piece - you’ll thank me for that . If you’re really smart , you’ll get a trailer with polyurethane rollers, that trailer will last longer,due to the fact you’re not sinking it to launch the boat.

Trying to find a shop to do this kind of work isn’t easy - it’s not cheap.old saying :
“Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good” remember that. Attempting to do this yourself is a tough option , you’ll need a dry place to work in.I’ve seen some rough, really rough work done by owners, just seen one a few weeks ago when I was in the keys for a vacation - seen an old 20 come into John pennenkamp park in key largo. I spoke briefly with the owners wife, my wife pointed out things she seen and I laughed ! Told her she’s been with me way too long.

Good luck on your search and your RESTORATION…