What size outboard?

[tombowman45]

I am currently finishing restoration on a Harris-Kayot 180 deck boat. It is an inboard to outboard conversion and I am ready to purchase an outboard engine and jack plate. The boat is fibergalss 18' and 7'6" abeam. I will be using the boat for inshore fishing and island hopping no offshore, just putting around the intercoastal and bays in SW. FL. 25-30 mph top cruising speed will do just fine. Just enough to get the boat up on plane. I know the jack plate will help with that. I'm thinking 80 to 100 hp. Suggestions? Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: What size outboard?

Howdy, Tom.

Welcome to iboats.

Your plan sounds reasonable to me. Could you mount the jackplate, then borrow a few outboards of the make you prefer and try them out? You might find out that she wants 150HP to behave properly.

 

[tombowman45]

Re: What size outboard?

Thanks JB. That makes good sense. I will take that route.

 

[crb478]

Re: What size outboard?

Any you could borrow would be great, but if buying I would look for the 90 - 140 hp four cylinders. I think that any of these will fit your needs and weigh less than a 6 cylinder.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: What size outboard?

Any you could borrow would be great, but if buying I would look for the 90 - 140 hp four cylinders. I think that any of these will fit your needs and weigh less than a 6 cylinder.

+1. I would think any of the larger 3&4 cyl. outboards would be fine for what you're looking to do and give you some reserve power, especially considering the weight savings. Good luck. Send some pics when you are done.