Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

[Self-Ish]

I currently have a 1988 25' Sea Hawk Chris Craft. It currently has an inboard that was repowered in 1998 but still has the original out drive. The motor has several issues currently and I am consider repowering it. My question is wheather or not to repower with a new inboard or repower with an outboard. I am also curious wheather I should repower with Deisel instead of Gas. It is my understanding that if I go with Deisel I will loose some power and speed but I will gain reliabilty. Just curious what you guys think. Any responses would be appreciated.

 

[gss036]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

That is a very broad question that you are asking and opinions will also be broad. I guess the bottom line is money, if you want to invest twice the value of your current boat into repowering, then you are making a very long term commitment to this hull.
I am familiar with your boat in the outboard model, but not w/your setup. I think you would have to go to a bracket and hank dual outboards on it to be properly repowed.
My next question is what is so wrong with your current setup that you cannot have it fixed?
If you go to diesel, you will have to change the outdrive too have a unit heavy duty enough to handle the high torque of a John Deere set up.
Something to ponder on at this point.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

the difference is the center of gravity. your boat was built for the type of system it has. you go hanging brackets, and duals. and that changes the complete set up of the boat. there have been many conversions. but most report they are not happy afterwards. and usually end up selling the boat, and taking a loss.

as far as the diesel is concerned, that is an individual choice. you have the smelly exhaust when idleing or trolling.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

The "balance" of the hull will certainly change if the power unit weight is shifted to the rear with an outboard. I would be trying to find some other folk that had done this already to see what they thought about that set up. Personally i would not try it.

 

[Self-Ish]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

Sounds like I should consider keeping the inboard setup. My current setup is in poor shape and needs alot of work and is not real reliable. This is why I am considering repowering with new inboard.

Since reliability is a big concern of mine would I be better going with fuel injected or a carborated inboard motor? Sorry if this is not the correct form for this question but I thought I would ask what you guys opinions are.

Thanks

 

[j442w30]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

Sounds like I should consider keeping the inboard setup. My current setup is in poor shape and needs alot of work and is not real reliable. This is why I am considering repowering with new inboard.

Since reliability is a big concern of mine would I be better going with fuel injected or a carborated inboard motor? Sorry if this is not the correct form for this question but I thought I would ask what you guys opinions are.

Thanks

Both fuel injection and carbureted engines are reliable if installed and maintained correctly. If your engine currently has a carburetor you will find that it is more expensive and complicated to install an engine with fuel injection but the turn key starting is always nice. It's all personal preference and how much you want to spend. If your current set up is in need of a lot of work maybe it's time to look for a new boat or at least make sure the hull, transom, outdrive and stringers are sound before you spend all the money on a new engine. Good Luck

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

I am in full agreement with making sure the hull is worth the investment.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

have you considered a rebuild, of the current motor. i agree that the hull has to warrant the investment. do to the cost of replacing good boats that the owners really like. you are seeing more and more repowers, i was in the Fl Key last month, it was amazing to see how many older boats the had been repowered.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Repower with new inboard or convert to Outboard

Re-powering with diesel would be great but it's a tremendous expense. After rebuilding my diesel once it died from general old age after that and the cost to replace the diesel (10 h.p.) was somewhere in the neighborhood of almost 8,000 dollars. A diesel would certainly be reliable and run WOT all the time without a problem (and generally last forever) but pound for pound you'll probably get better performance for a much reduced cost from a new gas engine. Or as TAD suggests get your old motor rebuilt and save a whole bunch of headaches.