I have a 96 245 Explorer that I am repowering. Hull has 300HP max rating. The boat is primarily used for diving in the GoM off Clearwater. Typical total weight when headed out to dive is 7200 to 7500 lbs. Since 09 it has had a Suzuki DF250 on it. Solid motor with 1200 hours and no breakdowns. It handles ok but is not overpowered. 30 MPH cruise is 5000 RPM. Plan was to replace it with a Suzuki 300AP. After lots of looking I am wondering if the 300B duel prop would be a better choice. On paper it seems it would especially with the relatively heavy load. The 300B should be cheaper on fuel as well, burning 87 octane instead of 89. My main concern is the added stress on the transom. The 300B is 750 pounds vs the 300AP at 650 pounds. The existing 250 motor is 610 pounds. I am not worried about the boat taking the weight more concerned with potential stress. I know this model was available rigged with twins from the factory. Back then 150HP 2 strokes were in the 375 to 400 pound range I think?? My goal is not to go faster, there are 2 days a year I could run around WOT. My goal is to get the RPM’s down in the lower 4000 to maybe 4500 range and maintain a 30 MPH cruise.
If anyone has this hull with either of these motors or similar on it I would love some feedback.
Likewise on the weight\stress concern.
