Though I would share a comment I posted under the topic "Hp for vintage Aquasports" here to as an alternate opinion to the need for high hp motors.
I don't understand the need for the high power OB's on the old boats. They were designed to run 35 to 40 max. i run a new 90 hp Suzuki with lots of cubes, a 2:59 lower unit ratio and a 14" prop and it is great for the 12 degree 22-2 FF. Lots of torque and it runs 31 WOT with light load and 27 loaded Since I cruise around 20-23 mph in the fuel miser range 98% of the time for this engine I still have 20-25% reserve hp to get in faster if I want, but I watch the weather when I am offshore so it is not a problem.
I very happy with the performance and get 7+ mpg consistently. got to love having over 500 mile range on a tank of gas. That really makes crossing to the Bahamas easy with respect to gas. I have a 6" hydraulic jackplate so I can put the motor a little lower for taking off and then lift it about two inches above the bottom for normal cruise. The permatrim plate and tabs help also. It is all about the set up. no problem pulling the kids skiing either. These are not hulls designed for high speed which is why it takes so much hp to get them to go fast. Too much wet surface area which is great for easy planing, but not high speed. My boat was set up for cruising I guess is the bottom line. If I want to go fast I hop in my Checkmate with 140 Tower of Power Merc, but that does not work for trips to the Bahamas, the NC loop, Charleston Harbor and big inland lakes. All about preferences I guess.
Now I know lots of folks will criticize this set up as underpowered, but what does that really mean. If I am going 20 miles offshore does it really matter if it take an extra 4 seconds to get on plane? The crap about the engine working harder is BS also as outboards hardly ever have many hours on them and this engine is operating right in the 3500-4500 range for the speeds I like to run so it will be still running strong decades from now and I usually run 200-300 hours/yr. Never hurt those 9.9s and 15's I used to run WOT for hours when I was a kid either so to me that is a mute point. Then there is the get out of the storm comments, but I run inshore bays and only about 20 miles out so I can get in fast enough without any problems and I have a great canvas set up. How fast can you run in rough seas anyway.
If you have a need for speed, the spend the money and go big with hp and at the gas pump. If you want to run where these early hulls were designed and get great efficiency go for lower hp and save a tone of money. The new 60's most company's make would easily equal the 70-75's twins in hp the older boats ran and would also give great gas mileage.
Just another point of view
