89 Horizon 210 Build!

vitali39 · **Joined:** Wed May 01, 2013 8:30 pm **Posts:** 2

hey guys so this is my first four winns boat ive had a chris craft and a wellcraft but both were stock cruisers. i think i want to try and have a little fun with this one. the boat originally came with an OMC 350 and OMC cobra drive but im swapping it all over to mercruiser. my main concern is the engine that i plan to use. the motor is a 350HP Merc 454, and an alpha1 outdrive. the hull tag says max hp 300, but many of my friends have overpowered setups that work fine. the reason im choosing this motor is because i have it and the boat has no motor in it. will it be too much weight and will it effect the plane time. ive been reading about how these boats have planing issues on the holeshot with too many people in back, this motor is about 100 pounds heavier than the 350 it came with. what do you guys think?

john55c · **Posted:** Wed May 01, 2013 9:19 pm

Sorry to say, but I think the capacity plate placed by the manufacturer is put there for a reason, and personally, I wouldn't put that engine in the boat. Safety is my #1 concern as I normally boat with my family and 2 young children. If it were me, I would look for a different engine that would fall within the specs. Just my $.02.

vitali39 · **Joined:** Wed May 01, 2013 8:30 pm **Posts:** 2

well heres the thing with the motor, it made 350 flywheel hp at 6500 RPM which isnt useable power in a boat that will never rev over 5k in reality so its still right close to the manufacturers specs, im more concerned with the weight, i mean i could always sell the 454 and get a 350 but its a pain since i already have this one.

deafwish · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 5:04 am

I reckon go for it!

You can always fit trim tabs on the transom to assist in planing time, if it's stern heavy.
p.s. I have a 350 in my Horizon RS 180 & you've got 3 feet on me!

Jdpber · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 5:48 am

Buddy has a 30' sea ray cabin and he swapped in cummins diesels. It has over double the manufactured "recommended" power it also does 48mph and factory was 23. With a will there is always a way. Rember these are suggestions. Also inboard vs outboard over power is a difference. Outboard is more tricky as the transom may not hold the increased weight and the forces are exerted differently.
Where inboard the forces are distributed over a larger area aka the transom and the stringers. Where outboard it it all transom and an angular force to the top of transom. Where I/O is a center straight in force.

Also buddies sea ray is a straight shaft inboards

Walt · **Posted:** Thu May 02, 2013 11:19 am

Besides the whole "legal" and "safe" concerns posted, the simple fact is an Alpha drive isn't rated over 300 HP. I think you are biting off a whole lotta problems when a good 350 or 302 would be a simpler, and still inexpensive install.

www.iFourWinns.com

89 Horizon 210 Build!

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