Thinking of repowering 1987 270 Amberjack with outboards. Thoughts?

[kingjeffy]

I just bought an 87 27 Amberjack. I has no engines so a rebuild is out. I will be using the boat in Florida salt water. Planning to keep it in the water for 4 to 6 months in the warm season. If I do go with O/B's, they will be 4 stroke 250's. Will the transom need to be beefed up? Am I breaking some kind of Sea Ray owner code by considering the outboard option?

 

[ferguda]

Check out the " check out this frankenstein"thread.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

I saw one in Key West a few years ago so I know it is possible.

 

[Alibuma]

My thought is why would you put $30k + in outboards on that boat instead of buying a $30k boat ready to go? Do you have 4stroke 250's laying in the back of your garage?

Its really none of my business, but I have to ask.

 

[Sundancer]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy some crate motors and put those in anyway? Shoot, at those prices you might be able to put in some diesels!!

 

[Four Suns]

Some nifty blue led's would help that design out.

 

[tdappleman]

The cost of the transom work, the engines and the associated wiring/gauges would certainly seem cost prohibitive. Now... if you just want a project then I'm sure it can be done - with the right money. If you plan to do a lot of fishing - why not a good late model center console already running with outboards?

 

[dpmulvey]

I just bought an 87 27 Amberjack. I has no engines so a rebuild is out. I will be using the boat in Florida salt water. Planning to keep it in the water for 4 to 6 months in the warm season. If I do go with O/B's, they will be 4 stroke 250's. Will the transom need to be beefed up? Am I breaking some kind of Sea Ray owner code by considering the outboard option?

Need more information.

What was original power? I/O, full inboard, gas/diesel.....

What is left in the bilge? What is the boat going to be used for? Lots of unanswered questions that would sway my decision one way or the other.

Personally, I prefer outboards. The newer ones have a tremendous HP/Weight ratio and are pretty much bulletproof. If you decide to go outboards, check the torque. My preference is an Evinrude E-tec.

 

[kingjeffy]

QUOTES FROM dpmulvey:

Need more information.

What was original power? I/O, full inboard, gas/diesel.....

What is left in the bilge? What is the boat going to be used for? Lots of unanswered questions that would sway my decision one way or the other.
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All I know about original power is that it was twin gas I/O. There is a whole lot of nothing in the bilge. There is one battery in fact. I plan to use it for pleasure/weekending/fishing. More of the first two than the third.

None of us get into boating expecting it to make since financially. It is something we do because it is in our blood. With this boat I have very, very little in it so I have some room to put money in it and have something that I want. Something where I will know every detail about the guts of the vessel. Something I can be proud of when I am finished. Above all I want it to be dependable. Sitting on the water waiting on a tow SUCKS a lot.

 

[Zklink5150]

I understand everything your saying for sure. Just hate to see you spend alot of dough. I have two 350s, fully dresssed, never fired, and two alphas, you could get into for 7200.