Hello all,
I don't often post but thought I could contribute to this thread. One year ago I re-powered my 17.2 and I learned a couple things. It's been mentioned in this thread and others but the biggest consideration when choosing your "new" motor IMHO will not be horsepower but weight. Wildman I'm sure you know that the 17.2 is not the same as other 17's. Its not even the same as the 17 Hourston. It has a 23 degree dead rise and dry it weighs 500 pounds more than the regular Hourston 17. It requires the 25" shaft. When I started doing research I began to realize that the different manufacturers had different combinations of weight vs. horsepower. They achieve this by using the same block and leg but tweaking ECM's or boring or whatever. Anyway, for example the G1 etec 135 weighs the same as the 150. To reduce weight you have to go down to the 115.
I replaced an 80's 130 yammi 2 stroke with a used 2012 150 G1 etec. I have an 8hp honda kicker back there too and I'd estimate the butt end settled about 1.5 inches below the previous waterline. It has worked out well for me, I simply moved my spare cannon balls from the floor locker to the bow. The hull rides the same and I haven't noticed any ill effects of the weight except the old painted waterline is a bit off. 150 is the max rated horse power for that boat but I'm not sure how relevant that really is as there were no 4 strokes around when the hull was designed (i don't think). The hole shot with that power is crazy good and I easily cruise at 3200 rpm at 28 knots. WOT will give me 40+ knots but it's a little scary. I guess the moral of my long winded story is to figure out the weight you want to hang back there and then find the highest horsepower for that weight which will vary between 4 vs 2 stroke and manufacturers. Good luck and let us know what you choose.
