55 foot Custom Repwer HP

[54bullwinkle]

I have to agree with frank.......to a point. I think a 1985 boat needs a different thought pattern. It was never meant to go 32 kts. Dont try to make it do it. I think HP needs to match the hull and boat, not just say.....HEY, Everyone today is doing 38 kts, I need to do it too. You dont increase a boats value that way when its a 1985. Think smart, put a package that matches the hull, its 1985 inception, and your requirements. Nothing I hate to see more, A guy buys a 20 year old boat and right away thinks.........This thing will fly with double the engine HP.
A guy like me, cant dance with a girl thats only 4'6" tall. Its the same thing. So put on a nice CD, twirl your wife around the room and ask her........Honey, am I going to fast? When she says, NO............thats it! Frank, correct me where you will.

Let me clarify..............Would not "overpower" an 85 build. She prob is a pretty fast boat right now. Just would be careful going with a package that would give you slower cruise speed. Looking at a 150hp reduction. 25kts is pretty slow by today's standards. Just my .02

Good luck with the repower. Share some pics with us.

[seapower]

I was and am just commenting on the engine's themselve's. I am in no way trying to figure out for him how fast it could/should go. There is a calculation in most boat design's, it's called hull speed, Again I am only commenting on the engine's he mentioned and why I would choose as I stated. Apples for apples. Frank

[hubris 1]

Im just making the comment, in 1985 guys didn think to go much more than 25 kts. Dont over do it........thats all. Everyone got so serious all of a sudden.

[seapower]

By the way I agree, it's all about speed these day's. I'll take a steady 19 knot's all day long myself. As many times as I've been up and down the coast at 8 knot's, that's flyin.

[Bligh]

It will be painful and hurt the industry even more, but that is what some are saying is going to happen this year?????? To the OP Original Poster a little more info concerning type custom boat. An old jim smith with those engines was a very fast boat back then. The hulls alone only weighed 5,000 lbs on those boats . The 2 stroke detroits are rebuildable right in the boat with out removing the engine. They were stretched power wise and the reliability was a bit of a ? tho.

[Questsportfishing]

the 12v 92's just scared me all the time! so did 16v 92's .. oh well I will get over it. the balance of power in 2011 is like bligh said and sea said of just knowing fuel cost (and in my area running to the Bahamas .. 'availability'.. you do still need some fuel to go out and home with on some rigs!) and like sea said the 85 hull was made to plane at what speed? now take in consideration she has two huge iron chunks of rust in her with giant gears.. add a freaking huge genset that has mounts and rust that weigh more than a new one alone.. so the weight to hp at that time was well 'what it was'.. now you go simple you had 735 hp with a bunch of ass behind her.. if the boats in real good shape , you love the layout, fuel tanks, lines, filters, and hardware are all fantastic you can figure a repower and then match the gear to the lighter weight engines with the 800 hp rating..

PS: it will be about 120K with 2 sets of controls engine mounts and panels with wiring for a set.. just saying but it is new and has warranty

if not go buy a nice glass rig that does not need worm shoes.. extra work or insurance.. heck the cummins in a 42 bert,

if you buy a set of 'used' man 840's rebuilt with new zf gears ... save you lots of $! still get your boat save $.. opps already said that.. in a 55' custom at 27-29 knots top burning 43 gallons a hr and 31gph at 24knots.. burning close to 8-9 trolling around ... hope my mind works ok still on economics and size .. you can stick extra kids in the engine room ..add a good phasor genset and keep a bunch of $ in your pocket..