Need info. on 1973 imperial model 1700 15ft 85hp mercury

[matt88]

I just bought this boat and am having a hard time finding any info. on it. It was registered as an 85 model by the previous owner but I am pretty sure it is a 73. The last two digits of the vin are 73. I am also curious as to what motors normally came on this boat. On the data plate it has an 85 750 and 1400. Im assuming that means 85hp capacity hull/750 net and 1400 gross weight but am not sure. I have attached a pic. I would like to get a 115hp or a 150hp for it later on but like I said I dont know much about it and am not sure what it will handle safely. Im sure some of you guys will flame me for wanting to put a motor on it bigger than what the data plate says it will handle but I know its been done safely on some other models. Just not sure about this one.Any info. is appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Need info. on 1973 imperial model 1700 15ft 85hp mercury

It already has what appears to be a band-aid repair on the transom.........

85 max hp
750 hull weight
1500 gross is correct

IMO you are putting way too much trust in a hull you know nothing about.

 

[matt88]

Re: Need info. on 1973 imperial model 1700 15ft 85hp mercury

Yes,Im fully aware of the bandaid. Ive had this thing for a week and plan on restoring it. Hence the posting it in the boat restorations forum,lol. The plate on the back looks a little choppy but the transom is actually solid. I did however think the exact same thing when I first saw it but it seems that someone added this to reinforce the skier tie off bar or whatever its called. It is bolted to the floor and has brackets running to the plates on the back of the transom. The point of the question was to acquire info. about the hull before making any plans on going with a bigger engine than factory specs. Believe it or not old boats can be fixed. Read some of the other postings here and you will see! This is a great site but it seems like opinion is much more plentiful that fact on some days,lol.