Upgrading, or downgrading?

[QBhoy]

Hi. I was very familiar with an identical regal and engine. At her very best and after a few props, she would do around 52/53 mph running very light. The main issue was that even with an all rounder prop that would be a little less on top speed and hitting the limiter…try sitting anyone in the back seats and having any more than half a tank of fuel…she was just stagnant for acceleration. Terrible even. That 4.3 mpi really lacked low down grunt for sure. Powerful up top end. But honestly never known a set up that could hit the limiter so easy with a prop…but also be so lazy out the hole.
Nice boat though. But if you plan to have a few onboard, you’ll have to pitch the prop low and suffer on efficiency and top end…and be hitting the limiter at 3/4 throttle for sure. Your outboard boat currently will certainly have more guts low down for sure.

 

[KD4UPL]

If you're going to upgrade then do it right. You need to be looking at a 22' or larger boat with a 350 Mag. I wouldn't go less than that for that many people.
We have similar use pattern: our family of 5 with usually another family of 3 to 5. I started with a 20' boat, 210 HP V8. It was okay but kind of cramped and barely had enough power.
I upgraded to a 23' boat the a 300 HP V8. It dose much better but is still a bit tight with a full load of people. I wouldn't have minded having a 24' or 25' boat and I had wanted a big block but just couldn't find one I could afford at the time.