25" Engine on a 22" Transom?

[jmadisonbiii]

I am seriously considering purchasing a used 18 foot XPress aluminum bass boat with 22" transom. The hull is rated for 150 HP. I have been shopping engines and have found more with 25" shafts than 20". I understand that this hull is designed for 20" outboard. Is it feasible to mount a 25" engine on this hull using a jack plate? I have gotten conflicting information. Also if a good deal comes along on on a more powerful engine, say a 175 or 200, is this workable (from a mechanical standpoint, legal and liability issues aside)?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 25" Engine on a 22" Transom?

The jackplate idea is a very logical approach, very common, very reasonable.

I'd stay within the recommended horsepower limits for a variety of reasons. We've found that when exceeding the recommended hp limit there usually isn't enough of a performance gain to justify the liability. In most cases the hull design will do what it's supposed to do, reasonably, with the recommended hp. Some folks will concentrate on the legal aspect of this ongoing debate. Going on experience we've found that sometimes going over the recomendation results in an ill handling boat.

A lot depends on what hull design you're talking about.