Overpowering: A Risky Move…
Before upgrading your boat with engines beyond the specs, review safety limits carefully and consider adjusting your insurance coverage to avoid costly consequences.
In this video a 1995 Zodiac Hurricane 472, a former rescue craft, is repurposed as a rugged project boat.
Originally rated for 70 hp, it receives a BF90 engine. That’s overpowering.
The engine’s long shaft is roughly 6 inches too long, lowering the cavitation plate and causing porpoising.
They consider removing a 5.5-inch extension, but the required parts would cost over a thousand dollars.
Instead, they install a fixed TH Marine Jack Plate costing about $265, cheaper than $400 adjustable versions.
Improvised lifting with straps replaces proper hoisting, highlighting risky, rushed decisions.
Severe flexing leads to reinforcing the transom with aluminum plates and structural bracing.
A key issue emerges: the jack plate was mounted backwards and upside down.
After correcting alignment and drilling new holes, performance improves significantly.
The boat still runs about 1 inch too low, but reaches a sketchy 58 km/h (31,32 knots).
Ultimately, the project shows that even a perfect engine may not suit every boat. That’s the cot of overpowering.
This video was published in the FortNine YouTube channel.
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