38 flatdeck power options
 

I am considering power for an 80's cigarette flatdeck,
I want turn key reliability more than speed, and am considering a basic 502 efi 415hp. and the trs drives. Would this be enough power, or is this a mistake? I believe the originals were powered with mercruiser 420s and trs, but I have no idea what speeds they produced.
Keep in mind top speeds are not most important to me in this boat, I want a wave crushing bahama cruiser, 60-65mph top speed is the goal.
thanks in advance for the input and experience.

I would go with HP500's or 525's. Those 502 are time bombs in that boat with that much weight.

How about a couple of used 496 HOs? Same basic HP as the 502MPI but a little more modern with closed cooling, and you can get the sea-core edition for a little more corrosion resistance. You'll have no problem crushing anything with that. enjoy.


425HP per side will probably put you in the low 60's. Our old Bullet with twin 365HP would run 63 no matter what.

I would think at least 500HP a side. That hull probably likes to cruise faster than 415HP 502's are going to want to push it 90% of the time.

My 1982 Mistress ran 64-65 with around 500 hp.

I would want 540+c.i. low compression mild power that I could run a respectable cruising speed between 3500-3700 rpm.

+1:)

I call BS tbone, if I know you , your trying to get your respectable cruising speed down to 1200rpm. :evilb: