Just picked up a gtr 35 for a good deal. I was wondering if that's too much motor weight wise for a 1652 weldbilt. Would like your guys take on it.

Nope. It'll float it without issue. It's a light boat than my father's custom build, and his is a 1652. Never come close to being an issue, and he's not a light guy.

I literally had the exact same boat/motor combination.

I cracked the transom brace at the weld on each side. Had to re-weld it three times...

Also I hooked the living fuk out of the hull running that motor on that boat because of the lateral bracing structure.

I would not recommend using this boat/motor combination.

Will it sink the boat? No

Will it get on plane with a heavy load in deep water? FUK NO

Will you hook the fuk out of the boat? Yes

Bottom line is that this is a Mod V jon jon boat. It isn't meant to run this motor and it wont preform well. I'm not blowing smoke up your ass...I have experienced it first hand...

Here is some pictures.

Have a 7 yr old Alumacraft riveted 1648 that I run a MB 45 on. Hull is still straight, if you don't jump beaver dams or run it hard into stumps, your Weldbilt will last along time. For where I hunt and fish boat has served me really well.

I planned to get the vf model so it would be flat but not smooth bottom obviously . Was that a .80 hull or a .100, also disclaimer I don't plan to do aggressive stuff with this rig and for the most part don't have to worry with stumps just tidal areas and mud. A few areas with stumps but not many. I simply want to know if the boat will perform under normal circumstances with this motor. Carry a load, get on plane, not swamp itself, sit correctly in the water, not plow or drag, etc

Tall or short transom?

Tall transom

The boat I,ve pictured, will plane five people load easily, and top out at 45-4700 rpm with a Hammer prop. It will run in the upper thirties running lite. Its a .072 gauge hull. Before hanging motor I reinforced transom. I also built in a 12 gal tank behind front deck for better weight placement. Been a very good performing boat IMO.

Mine was a .100 model.