23 Fish Nautique Outboard Conversion

Hi Guys,

I'm Troy. I am new here to CCF. I have owned a 1979 23' FN for almost 2 years now. She is a stock 351 PCM boat but I am thinking about converting her to an outboard on a bracket. I have read some threads and have seen some nice restorations on here. I am most interested at this point in comparing some performance/economy data and any opinion of how the ride and handling was affected by anyone with experience on one of these. Thanks.

Troy, welcome to the site ! Your boat looks nice post some more pics

More power and performance would be nice, but I am also looking to decrease my draft. I love the rough water handling of my boat but I am really limited in and nearshore. I have been looking at the 23 Dorado type boats with the porta bracket, I know mine would not run that skinny but she would be better in the slop. I saw a FN for sale with a 250 etec the ad claimed 50 mph, I'm curious if that's possible. I would be thrilled with 35-40 cruise, 3 mpg and 24" draft? I fell in love with the FN 30 years ago I don't know of a hull with better lines for less than $50-60K. I'm thinking I can do the upfit for $30-35K I can't find anything I like better under $60K.

Well, if you go the inboard re-powering route, be sure to give Jody at Florida Inboards a call. I know he had a monster motor set aside for his own Fish Nautique project, but wound up putting the project boat for sale. He may still have that motor, or some other options.

Troy,

I don't want say this is my specialty but it is something I am very familiar with. The major problem with your plan is weight distribution. It can be done but requires a lot of work. When you hang an outboard presumably a 250ish four stroke 30" off the transom you really change the weight distribution of the boat. I have been involved with several of these jobs in some Albemarle's. What I would suggest will be to tear it down and rework your fuel tank to the midline (along the keel) towards the fore end on the boat right under the console. Maybe even add a fresh water tank in there as well. You will have to get some weight in the forward area of the boat for it to ride right the more the better. And yes you will need to beef the transom and tie-in those stringers. The bracketed boats are awesome machines and all the formulas and abemarles I have seen have turned out great when they adjust for the weight difference, specifically in the jackshaft and straight inboard style boats.

Try searching The Hull Truth. There are a lot of guys on that site that specialize in these conversions and also specialize in fishing boats.

I am always on the look out for a good deal on an old Albemarle or FN to do the same type of rebuild, but too many other projects at the time and have not found the right hull yet.

Best wishes, let me know if I can assist in any way.

Please post more pictures of that boat!!

Allen

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27530&title=1977-fish-nautique-free

Had a guy walk into the shop yesterday wanting to do the same thing.
Come get the hull you will not have to molest yours! I can sell the rest of the stuff on Evil Paay....

Jody, as I said in your post I wish I could get down there and get it. But just can't make that trip now. If you still have it when I am in FL again I will pick it up but will probably be next spring. Plus I would need to fins a trailer!!

And you did a great job on it too John,that and because it's the only Fish thread is why I linked it. How's it been treating you?

Gary S wrote: And you did a great job on it too John,that and because it's the only Fish thread is why I linked it. How's it been treating you?

John,
I sure agree with Gary!

How does it run with the 350? I just purchased a 78 with the 350 and I'm thinking of repowering with a 383 during the restoration.
Thanks

Are you running the 13X13 prop with the 1:1 trans and what's your top end? I'm just getting ready to begin removing the deck but have been toying with the idea of fixing what i got first to see where and how i can make changes to improve performance and fishability.

Ssmith wrote: I believe it’s 11x13.

13" dia. and 11" pitch? It's common to state the dia. first so a 13x11 would be appropriate.

My goal is 50 at wot with a 30-35 cruise. Has anyone seen these kind of numbers in a fish?

VentureMike wrote: I'm thinking of repowering with a 383 during the restoration.

I don’t think the 23’ Fish hull has been fully characterized for how it responds (speedwise) to more power... but based on what we know about the smaller (19’) vee hull, i don’t think even a fairly well done 383 (400hp+) would get you to 50. But it might get you close (45+). Just my gut feel.

Mike,
Yes, hull shape/design is the major factor in how fast you can go. I forget the rule of thumb that roughly states the HP gains needed for MPH gains over a given hull design but the ratio is horrendous! The other big problem is getting that big HP to the water via the prop. Joe (joeinny) hopefully can add to this considering what he has gone through and what he continues to go though with BIG HP's and prop shafts and props. At least your Fish has a 1$1/8" shaft giving you some better prop choices but you will still be limited with prop diameter. Yes, steeper pitch on a prop will help but, as the pitch of a prop increases, it's slip increases decreasing it's efficiency. Next time you talk with your engine builder, ask him what RPM he's thinking he'll get the HP.