Re: Chris Craft Lancer 19' -23'
My next project just followed me home last sunday (kinda funny how they do that). Its a '70 19ft Lancer that is in its original unmolested form - 307Q(200hp), Volvo 270 outdrive. It sat outside for almost 20 years, so the sole and support stringers underneath are completely shot, hull and deck will need painting (gell coat is shot), and the engine is filled with that nice oil and water mix that we all know and hate. What I'm wondering is what is the best combination of engine horsepower for this hull. I have several blocks to choose from and want to know if bumping up the power a bit is wasted effort or not. This is my first fiberglass hull, and first "outdrive" boat, and I realize that packing more power into a hull will produce more speed, but there is also a point at which it becomes just more fuel burned with little or no return when speed and handling is concerned. I have heard that the Volvo 270 can handle a 350 cu/inch, but at what horsepower rating?
So, the question is, what is the sweet spot with this hull as far as horsepower/speed/economy?