TOPIC: Custom craft too many horses?

Hi guys. Jan is almost done with bringing my custom craft back to life. He mounted the merc that Tim restored for me an 80hp but now I'm looking at it and I'm thinking its overpowering the look of the boat, I'm wondering if its safe, especially when the gas tank and 3 passengers are added ? Would love your thoughts,

Another pic

i believe yours is rated for 100hp. i wouldn't worry about it being overpowered. i have a 70 on mine and it handles beautifully.

Looks perfect to me! Let us know how it runs!!

I agree. As long as it is within the limits on the tag, it should be just fine. Looks great. I have always been partial to the old white Mercs, as you can tell by my picture.
Bill

I really don't think the merc overpowers the boat in anyway Jim. The rig looks great and well-balanced to me.

Motors of a certain vintage and general hp weigh about the same. Ya gotta have a good outboard to push that boat with 3 passengers and have it act close to the way it's supposed to.

Keep us posted on how ya make out!

Frank

What a beautiful combo!

Looks great to me and Frank id right, now go get it wet and show us some pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

Looks very nice!

Thanks for the feedback. Feel much better. Another question. Should the engine be painted to matched the aqua boat color?

FWIW Jim, I agree with the gang here, looks like a "match made in heaven". You won't have to use all 80 HP most of the time, but it will sure be nice knowing they're back there if you need 'em!

re:Paint Outboard to Match - Some folks have done this and I understand it was an option many dealers offered "back in the day". While I'm sure the resources you're using here could pull it off and make it look just gorgeous, I think if it were me I'd run her Cloud White (as is) for a season and think it over? She looks pretty majestic on there with the dress she has on now. Really a personal preference thing, IMHO.

like mark said...give it a season and then if you still feel like matching it up, do so, but be advised that if you ever enter it in an acbs boat show, you will receive a point deduction for not being original. ron

Very nice looking boat and motor Jim! I think you are fine on the power level of your Mercury.

The custom painted Mercs look really good. That said, yours looks very nice as well and seems to match the rub rail. If it also matches the interior, that's even better.

It does look great as-is!

If you want to fancy-fy it a bit, you could add some "tasteful" pin-striping in a matching aqua color.

I wouldn't think the ACBS Judges would take off too many points for that!

Cheers.......ed