I had the 202 CL boat with an efi 5.0. It would top out at 55mph. In my humble opinion your gonna piss away 2k$ and not be happy with the results. The bow riders need torque as others have said since in most cases the "skanks" (quoted from another thread) will be up front enjoying the view. In that style of boat Im sure you will also be pulling skiers and tubing. I would think you would be better off looking for a bravo III if you dont already have one. You must have an alfa if your worried about your drive.

My Cobalt is a little over 24ft and much heavier then your 225. I have a 7.4 but its the 315hp model with a duo prop (same as a bIII) it tops out at 50mph but thats fully loaded. Usually 4 adults and 70 gals of fuel. We spend 90% of our time cruising at 30 mph and riding like a cadillac. Our boats just aren't made for speed. You can make it fast but what ever you do to the engine you will have to do to the drive. Its the same with a car. You hop that engine up and your going to have to hop that tranny up as well to handle it.

Good luck with whatever you decide. On a side note that $ will pay for a lot of gas and beer.

Logically I agree with every thing you said, but my need to change things is itching. I’ve made it two seasons with no changes to the boat and it’s killing my. Every thing I own gets hopped up.....I drive a 2500 chassis duramax powered Tahoe ha.

the fact that the boat will only do 45 is my issue. I would be perfectly happy if I could it to 50-55. Not that we cruise that fast usually. But being able to hammer down and get up and go is always fun.

my boat with a 350 mag 300hp alpha one will do 55 from what I’m told. That’s why I was wanting to get up over 300 hp

If you go through a lot of threads from people looking to go faster in any boat over the history of OSO... the result and advise in the end is - sell the boat as it is reliable and buy the boat that will get you where you want to be mph wise. Cheaper and more reliable in the end.

If you had a B-drive boat, you have more options for your runabout.

Problem with selling the boat to buy what I want is, this boat is paid for and only worth about 15k even with the 6k dollar stereo system the p/o installed. To buy what I want and get a good stereo and the other things this boat already has that I want I’d be looking at 20-25k easily so to put even 3-4K into this boat I’d still have less then 15k in it. Just a matter of if I can get the 55 area or not.

Your Alpha One wont take the horsepower. rated to 300 max. It may last for awhile but your'e better off to a Bravo 1. Check with others for gear ratio compatibility with the new planned horsepower as well.

OP - I swear this website used to bleed performance.

Now it’s ‘sell your boat snd buy something with an outboard, preferably a center console.” My have Times changed. Lololol

That Alpha 1 will be just fine behind his small block. Torque is what kills them. And he's not gonna be in BBC torque territory. Guy run them with mildly built BBC and a light throttle hand and they live quite long lives for most.

there is a saying there is no replacement for displacement especially in the marine world, just because you increased hp in the engine which comes with it's own issue's such as over lap, water reversion, idle characteristics, does not mean the boat will go faster, in most marine applications the focus is in torque, mercruiser makes a 357mag 325 hp this still will not be enough to get you the the speeds you are looking for, the optimal pwr plant would be the mercruiser 383 carb bravo 350hp 427 foot lbs of torque

yes the alpha out drive is only rated for 300hp we have put way more hp thru the and the have held up, if you smash the throttle to the dash you will brake them, if you looking to bark them over the waves you will brake them. check out ACTION PERFORMANCE MARINE CORPS WEB SITE. THE 19' MONZA HAS A 650 HP BIG BLOCK IN FRONT OF ALPHA GEN 1 OUTDRIVE 1.32 RATIO WITH A 27 PITCH MARIAGE PROP TURN IT TO 6500 RPM @ 92 MPH AND A 27 MACH 1 WITH A PAIR OF 383 STROKERS WITH ALPHA 1 OUTDRIVES 1.50 RATIO TURNING 5300RPM @ 74MPH

Years ago, I had a 19' Executive open-bow with a 260hp 350 Alpha Mercruiser. I put on a B&M 144 blower, Holley carb (double pumper of some sort), and thru-hull exhaust. After getting it tweaked, it ran high 60's, lower 70's. Alpha drive lasted about 2 years until I started pulling some big boys skiing. Bottom gears went out the first summer, upper gears the next. Someone saw it and loved it more than me, so it found a new home.

As long as you don't go crazy, Alpha can last awhile I think.