Issues mounting this new (old) outboard

[waterinthefuel]

I seem to have gotten in over my head. I've been having a 28 on this little boat for almost 30 years. On a whim, looking at Ebay, I found a 97 40hp that looks almost brand new and runs as well as it looks. So I bought it and paid over 700 to have it shipped from Cali. That's the least of my problems. A 40 is all this boat is rated for.

Now, when I try to mount it, it appears that the bottom set of bolts lines up perfectly with the two transom reinforcement braces that go from the transom to the floor of the boat. I don't want to drill those out, but I don't know what to do.

Anyone have any ideas? The only thing I can think of is a small jackplate so that I can put the holes where I need them and then mount the engine to the jackplate, but a 40hp with a jackplate? Seems a bit odd. And it's a heavy engine, I'd like it not hung out over the back too much and a jackplate, even a small one, would be adding even MORE weight to the back. I found a 2.5" jackplate set, though. Very small, just enough to give me an alternative set of mounting holes.

Attached is a pic of the engine at the guys house before he had it ready for shipment for me.

 

[racerone]

move / alter the braces inside your boat.

 

[airshot]

Many jack plates are made from aluminum and not much weight there. What kind and how big of a boat??

 

[waterinthefuel]

move / alter the braces inside your boat.

Can't. They're fiberglassed in place.

And it's a little Pleasure Kraft stick steer. 13'.

 

[racerone]

Drill tight through.-----Use longer bolts.----sister those braces.----No such thing as ----" can't be done " ---on a boat !