I currently have a 25 merc 2 smoke on my boat now(tall transom) and I hate it. I want a surface drive and found a 23 sport hd with low hours. I know the boats not ideal for the motor but hunting the Great Lakes a mod v handles the rough water much better. I have to cross channels that are 60' deep to get to my spot that has silty bottom and weeds! Lifting a damn outboard every 75 yds has pushed me to surface drive.

My question is will the boat handle a 250 lb motor on the back? I don't beat on my equipment and it won't be driven like a mud motor is made for. I weigh 175 and always drag a buddy and the dog. I'm not looking for a rocket but 16-20 mph with this hunt load would make me happy.

I've searched and researched till my wife has begged me to buy one so she doesn't have to hear about it anymore. Again, my main reason for a surface drive on a less than ideal boat is so my damn outboard isn't hanging up on the weeds and bottom sending me into limp home mode.....