I'll admit right up front... I ain't got a ton of money. In fact I bought my boat from Chad over two years ago and it's been sitting brand new under a tarp ever since while I figure out how to get a motor. I'm about to be where I can go to the bank for motor money. All this time I've had my heart set on a 27hp PD, and now I'm starting to panic a little. I just get the sense that motor is just not fast enough or good in the really technical and nasty stuff.
Am I crazy? I went out three days last week in a MB I've had plenty of stick time with and have been on tilt ever since. I mean I believe that PD is the better motor but My boat is a little on the small side. It measures 17'x48" but it's a closed bow (skiff) and it's really more like a 16 foot boat in size with short sides and transom. I feel like i know what the better product is, but I also don't want to go to the bank for 18 mph and a headache. Somebody chime in and help with this. I know threads get jacked plenty, but this really is the place to get good motor feedback and I gotta get my mind right ASAP.

I don't really know what the question is. Take out a little more and put a 36 on it.

I was gonna say the same

Get the transom built up to tall for 100$ or so buy a 36 PD, have a good rig and don't have regrets of too weak a motor.

The weight difference is minimal, plenty of people run a 36 on boats that size.

i don't think i can put over 300lbs on the tail of it with a 36hp can i ?... i guess that's my question. going to the bank for $5500 or $7000 isn't really the issue(assuming i have to go to the bank for a new one). I just don't think the 27hp is enough grunt but the extra 100 lbs on the transom kinda bothers me not knowing how the boat will deal with that

If your 1748 can't hold a 36 you got a problem

Briggs 36 is 125 lbs, Kohler 27 is 105 lbs

You'll be surprised what a boat that size can handle, people run the same rig you have, get a 36 and go with it

if you buy a 36 you will be done with it. My buddy runs a 32 pd on a 17 40 skiff and that thing rolls. you just might have to add weight to the front end

hmmmm.... for whatever reason i thought there was a 100lb difference in the two motors. KP confirmed the 36hp was 320lbs so i started letting my mind drift these past few days. and as i said, it's 17 feet but the front 2 feet are all point so it's really a smaller boat

i run a 16ft weldbilt with a 32hp pd with no problems.i would imagine theres not much of a weight difference between a 32 and a 36.i have no problems with it

I had a 36 pd on a 1644. Didn't have any problems exept having to put gas tanks and icechest to the front

There is more of that skiff in the water than the long raked bateau's people are running.

go with the 36 and quit stressing youll be happy

i think the advice is clear. get a 36

well it sounds like a 36 is the deal. how much should i consider making the transom tall? is that for the sake of the backwash on the boat or is the long shaft PD a better performer?

For what little money it cost to do it, I would say go for it. Yes, mainly for backwash, also puts the tiller handle a little higher which is nice for driving while standing. Go to 19.5"

I don't believe there is an extra charge for a TT Pro-Drive anymore.

Go 19.679 when you build it up, not many people know it but you can break the 40mph mark with this height.

I had a 27 PD on my 1648 gator-trax. It was fine for me and my bro-in-law (he is a big boy) but if we ran 3 guys it was a slug. I know people that run 27 pd's on an 18 ft boat and have no problem.

I recently switched to a 35 Mb and it has transformed my 1648.

If it was me and i was sure i wanted a PD i would have the transom built up and get a 36 tall transom. May have to wait a bit longer for fundage but man it makes a WORLD of difference on the shorter boats.

Don't get a motor without reverse!! I almost didn't get it and I would be kickin myself if I didn't...

Go with the 36. Definitely not too heavy, I'm running a 35GTR on my 16' boat.

My buddy had a 36 on a short transom tin can War Eagle. It carried the motor fine.

Something to think about: The MB HD 35 Mini doesn't weigh but 245.

I have a 36 on a 15x4. U have plenty boat to get the 36.

Go as big as you can afford, that boat will handle it. We've got a 36 on a 16x48 and it handles it just fine. I've ran it up on levees plenty of times and never got a drop of backwash. You'll be kicking yourself in the azz later if you get something of smaller hp. You can never have enough with these mud motors

i have a 1652 lake sport with a 36 PD all i did was move fule to front of boat it runs great.

I had a 1648 with a 27 Pro Drive once upon a time and it wouldn't plane a 2 person load going duck hunting. It would fly with just me in it, but once loaded down it was all over. Buy the biggest hp you can afford.

I've had several 36's. Twice I have purchased clean used 27's thinking I would be happy and save some money. It should be noted both were acquired from individuals who bought 36's. The first one I sold before the boat was even built. The second I made one S. La trip and ordered a new 36 from KP before I got through NO. I run 1848's and often hunt 3. No brainer on the tall transom and reverse. I think you will be fine if you run a light load with the 27. Running heavy the 36 is well worth the extra money.

Hey Guys thanks to you all. this thread is MMT at its best. I feel great about building up the transom and going 36hp, now. I have fretted long enough of going to the well for a motor i wouldn't be happy with performance-wise and this answered a bunch of those questions.
It ain't like i want to break the sound barrier, I just want to tote three guys in the low-mid twenties and not worry about a damn thing else other than prop wear. Awesome help from the group
JW

One more thing, I have search like crazy to find some threads with images on building up a transom, but can't find them anywhere. I see where there were suggested heights but I want to round up some good images so that my welder has something solid to go on. (don't really want to hack up my boat on a "hunch")

Whats the side heigth?

What is the advantage of tall transom vs. short transom? Any performance advantage with short tail vs. long tail? Or just keeping water out of the boat?

Reassurance of less to no backwash.

Here are some more photos.

P3070005.JPG

P3070004.JPG

P3070007.JPG

Thanks for posting Mitch. I saved the photos because ill probably be doing this to mine. Anything you would change?