Repowering 1981 Express Fisherman

[ccwesq]

I have a question regarding repowering my double-hurricane-surviving 20-2 Express Fisherman, which I adore, with new power.  

Beyond whether it is a good idea in the first place, on which opinions vary, my question is why pay attention to the max horsepower rating?  If the newer outboards are more powerful but lighter than outboards were 20+ years ago, what's the difference?  In other words, if I can find a 250 that is lighter than the 200's were in 1981, shouldn't I be able to put it on the boat?  

Thanks for any info and for any thoughts on the Verado 200hp+ lineup, which all weigh the same and prompted my question.

Thanks also for this site, which is the only place I have been able to find any info on this boat that I've had the last 6 years.

[Wilson]

not sure I have an answer to that question, but they must put that rating on there for some reason.  I always thought that a particular hull was only designed to go at certain speeds.

People love their verados.

[Keith Knecht]

Couple of things to think about.  If you intend to insure the boat for liability or property loss the insurance will not cover it. If anyone ever gets injured and a smart attorney gets involved and finds that you exceeded the manufacture's HP, it might not go well for you.  Secondly, the weight may be less but the torque developed may be more than the transom can handle.  Is the boat a 20' or a 222?

[88' 222]

I have a question regarding repowering my double-hurricane-surviving 20-2 Express Fisherman, which I adore, with new power.  

Beyond whether it is a good idea in the first place, on which opinions vary, my question is why pay attention to the max horsepower rating?  If the newer outboards are more powerful but lighter than outboards were 20+ years ago, what's the difference?  In other words, if I can find a 250 that is lighter than the 200's were in 1981, shouldn't I be able to put it on the boat?  

Thanks for any info and for any thoughts on the Verado 200hp+ lineup, which all weigh the same and prompted my question.

Thanks also for this site, which is the only place I have been able to find any info on this boat that I've had the last 6 years.

Unless you are capable of rigging an engine yourself, you may have a hard time finding someone that will overpower your boat. The new engines are too high tech to Install & rig yourself(especially the Verado) I have a 222 EX-F ,It's a 1988 With a 250 Merc EFI, it will do 50. It's rated for 240 HP, When I took it to have the engine installed it still had the masking tape over the capacity plate from painting, He didn't say anything about it, so I didn't either. Here's some before and after pics.
You can post pics here easily, it's free. My other boat is the MAKO on page three. Good luck
http://community.webshots.com/album/264511869pWaFDe

[Anonymous]

Years ago we were building ducks boats,to figure out the max horsepower we had to use centerline legnth and transon width. That s why the southbay duck boats have the transom in a cut out,the boat is wider at that point. Possibly your insurane company may have the numbers I think we relied on the Cost Guard for formula information. Bottom line,don't go over the max HP rating,you want to fish not fly,good luck.

[ccwesq]

It's a 20' 2" not 222.  I now understand there is a torque issue in regard to max hp.  So we'll stick with the original 200, and since no one said repowering was a bad idea, we'll go with that.  Thanks!