25 Seafari progress and re-power question.

[CGold]

Wanted to share the progress on our 25 Seafari purchased in July. It is the boat seen in this thread:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...ad.php?t=30384

Paid $3k under the one condition that the seller keep the ficht Evinrude mounted on the back. Upon looking the boat over there was one soft spot on the deck, the bulkheads forward and aft of the fuel tank were rotten, and the transom was highly suspect. Turns out (as if the colony of ants weren't a dead giveaway) it was completely gone.

Since taking ownership we have remedied the deck and bulkheads, as well as a full coosa transom. Moving forward towards picking a new motor I am hoping for some input. The old 520 pound Evinrude 250 was mounted on a Gil bracket that came on the boat and I believe the boat was fished hard that way for ~10 years. Is there any reason not to mount a 300 Suzuki on the same bracket and (forgive my slang) send it?

The other option as I see it is to get a new Armstrong/Stainless Marine brackett with swim platform and go all in with a Suzuki 350 but I am hesitant due to the extra weight offset further back, not to mention the significant difference in price. I also appreciate the 300's reputation for reliability compared to the somewhat unproven 350.

Any input appreciated.

[kmoose]

Honestly I would greatly consider not going with a bracket and spend the bracket $$$$ on notching the transom for a 30" motor. I don't think there is any question that doing so would greatly improve ride, handling and the ability to hold plane as well as staying close to the designs CG.

As far as going with either a 300 or 350, both are great engines as a member here commercially operates twin 350s and they are nothing less than magical. I agree the 300 will do the job but the 350's duo prop lower unit will provided considerably better fuel economy as well holding the hull flat in nearly any condition. That said, if you are totally committed to running a bracket I would only recommend the 300 due to weight and even more suggest going with the 300 v6 merc which is even lighter.

Weight distribution is going to be a big success driver for your build. Carl originally installed a ballast tank on these hulls with I/Os so be mindful of this during your layout as going with an outboard will provide challenges to be overcome by the design.

[cdavisdb]

As the happy 10 year owner of a 25 with a 5.7/duoprop, I'd second kmoose. Mine still runs better with some extra weight forward. What you propose will make the boat far too stern heavy. Even an outboard on a notched transum will mess with the CG in ways you will not like, increasing roll and stern heavy characteristics.

[kmoose]

Another good thing about going with Suzuki is they have an offset driveline that shifts the powerhead weight much farther forward than other manufacturers. DirtWheels is rebuilding the same hull and going with a notched transom and flat capping the gunnels. I definitely would reach out to him and compare notes. He does spectacular builds.

[Locke N Load]

Congrats on nabbing a cool hull. Good luck with your refurb.