Chris Reese wrote:
I am going to try and save up about $1000, I'm not loaded so I can't
afford to much, but I have a old 1972 16ft Terry Bass. I like the
layout, but the engine isn't enough. It starts whenever I need it to
but it can only push the boat about 21mph (by myself) and 11mph (with
1 or more people). I think it has the original engine which is a 55HP
Chrysler engine. I mapped my usage and get about 1 mpg, so it sucks
the gas without the power. Should I take the boat in and have someone
work on the engine to get more power, maybe it's not working at all
power, and stay with the dependable engine. Or should I use the $1000
and try to go for a 85HP or so maybe 80's used motor? Boat rated for
85 max. The newer engine should have more power (just even if I
compared 55 from old to new), better gas mileage, but I run the risk
of it not being as dependable? What's your thoughts, should I upgrade
to a new more horsepower engine or update mine (which isn't a 100%
sure if you can get any more speed or gas mileage from the engine)?

Best advice you got so far was to weigh the boat to see if the foam is
waterlogged.
What's the sense of a different motor pushing a waterlogged boat?
They used open cell foam in those old boats.
This says your boat should weigh 835 lbs.
http://www.iboats.com/Terry__Pro_Bas...bp/61b125380r1
Empty the boat before weighing, then subtract the published motor weight.
If you don't know of a local scale, try looking here.
http://www.catscale.com
It doesn't matter if the boat was garaged.
When water goes in that foam it don't come out.
Sounds like you should just sell that boat and get one that will go as
fast as you want to go.
If you got $500 for it, you could save just $800 and see if this guy
would take $1300.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/1872342108.html
Save some more for this.
http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/1924917798.html
45mph! Be careful you don't hit a stump.
If your boat is waterlogged you just don't want be throwing any money at it.
Boats are too cheap now to be doing that.
If the boat isn't hundreds of pounds overweight, and is otherwise sound,
then your re-power idea has merit.

Jim - Sometimes you need to look real hard at your plans.