I'm hoping to get a sanity check from forum members on this restoration. I'm currently having the transom and stringers replaced on the boat and I'm struggling with what engine/drive package to re-install. A mark IV merc trans TRS system came out, all in good working order. I'm considering a move to a 454 bravo 3 powerplant before the transom is cut for the TRS.

Primary use is commuter boat to a water access only cabin on Great Lakes. Reliability and fuel efficiency paramount.

I also don't want to break the bank, so a used b3 would be going in.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thx,Jeff

From my experience, doing the transom myself wasn't that bad. Mine has the twin 188 ford 302 2 bbls. best I saw was a hair over 47 gps. If your going with twins, a couple stock 350 merc's with alpha's would have you mid 50's and be nice. A single look for a 454 mag and a bravo and raise the X dim a hair and you should be running pretty good. If you want to get aggressive a pair of 400 hp 383's with bravos will put a smile on your face. If you go with twins, I would have the stringer system changed in the bilge to get rid of the wellcraft motor tub deal and mount the motors to the stringers.

The 250 is a great riding boat even in the lake erie washing machine.

Definitely going to stick with a single. Thanks for your comments! So you would scrap the TRS setup in favour of a bravo system? Any particular reason?

With twins I would. The trs will slow it down, but it is beefier than a bravo.

Given the goals you have for the boat a bravo 3 would be a good choice. They aren't typically considered a performance drive but are efficient and handle very well. If you are ever going to make the change now is the time and since you will have a bravo gamble a bravo 1 can be swapped later if you decide you want more top speed.
A friend switched to a bravo 3 on his fishing boat and lost very little top speed but cruised faster at lower throttle settings and reduced fuel burn noticeably and the boat handled better specially at lower speed.
For what you need the boat for I don't think you will ever regret the swap.