I want to pump some $$ into my 240 this winter and am planning to build a real big inch motor for 750 to 800 hp, naturally aspirated and will likely do a 615 since I have a history with one I loved in a drag car but has been sold.

My question is will the nearly 300 lbs. removed -vs- original and all of it being that far aft create and awkward handling issues that migh be difficult to overcome. I just know some time goes into the hull designs to create the balance that they leave the factory with.

I am looking for a fast stable cruise speed of 65 ish. and if it would break 80 with me and light fuel once in a great while that would be a fun too but not the goal.

I know there is better platforms for going fast in a single but I was buying new Baja's back when my 88/240 was new and I just like the look of them and have finally been able to find a cherry hull with my favorite colors of white/black/red/ light grey so this is the one......period.

In short I want this back and to put it in that.

I would for sure be looking into a imco -2 lower unit. I picked up MPH just by rasing my outdrive. Plus your gunna be putting alot of power thru a stock bravo...we had a 750 horse in my boat. And it ran in the upper 80s.

Wow that speed exceeds my needs or desire for that matter, what kind of boat ??

88 240. But the boat isnt stock. It has been completely gutted and added 2 more bulk heads, extra stringers, hull glassed to the top cap, all wood replaced with fibercore. Outdrive raised 3 inches. It has a mild 502 in it now, about 430-450 horse, and it runs 70.

Why not just build it around an iron block. Then you don't have any possible weight loss issues. Just a thought.

Good luck with it. Looking forward to see some numbers.

I don't know how the weight loss would affect the handling, but this would be a badass project and I hope you go through with it.

I've built a lot of engines over the years and have regetted the ones that were not all aluminum but never the other way around, it is a hot rod project and I am thinking the aluminum will be good for balance but may differ a little on the prop recipe, well see.

Looks like a nice boat, what's the story on hull it looks really clean and if you don't mind me asking what'd you give for it?

May I ask why you have regretted the iron blocks? A lot of great builders of boat engines swears by them. Just curious.

About the balance and weight issue. I would not worry too much. Alot can be done with the right prop and setup. Depending on how much stuff you have up front, you can look into what can be taken out. When I think hot rod, it's not a comfy cabin that springs to mind. All in all, move things about, see if batteries can be moved furter aft in the bilge ect. You can always install a big azz stereo that needs 3 large batteries in the bilge, if all else fails

The iron block engines are best for getting every last bit of power, somewhere around 25hp has been thrown about for class drag race motors, on iron/alum. But the racing I was doing was all small tire outlaw and hooking the small tires meant a different balance than other forms and saving that 300 pounds was big, and to me and I live engines as much as the bars and boats, I just love an all aluminum engine and think it has an advantage here too.

To answer about the hull being so clean and what I give, it is amazing, nearly flawless original and the interior to match I hate to talk $$ not in this I got it very reasonable considering it has a sweet blown 468already, 10k.