Cat project I/O to twin OB

Restomod

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Rockford Washington
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I thought I was all done building boats. I’ve been wanting a cat and looking for about 6 months. Trying to find a place to get out of the weather, yet have plenty of fishing deck.
This weekend, I found this. 23’ and checks the main two boxes. I want to take the I/O out and put twin Suzuki 115s. Some of the lines are great in my eye. The cabin structure, not so much.
That’s where my new handle came from. Couldn’t remember my old one from 10 years ago. So this boat will be a restomod.
Trying to find anything online about specific pods for a cat are non existent so far. Anyway, glad to be back here and back on a boat build project.
 
Welcome back to the Forum Restomod!

Have a look at Ted Penfield's epic (30 pages!) thread about the amazing conversion he did on his motor boat.

How far forward does the nacelle extend for the old stern drive unit?
Will you be keeping this nacelle as it is?
And can you post a bow view photo to show the hull shape please?
Please do post lots of photos along the way of your conversion.
 
Here is the nacelle. I don’t have the boat yet for a measurement. I guess I don’t have a straight on view.

How far forward does the nacelle extend for the old stern drive unit?
Will you be keeping this nacelle as it is?
And can you post a bow view photo to show the hull shape please?
Please do post lots of photos along the way of your conversion.

I won’t reuse it. I’m going to remove the center of the transom making a walkway to exit onto an outboard bracket. I will enclose the walkway with giant knee braces in the shape of the remaining glass, beefing up the transom and preserving the cool back swept wings.
Normally, the new outboards would hang far apart on the sponsons. But with the cathedral hull, the get placed centered in the compressed water exiting the two tunnels.
 

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How far along are you with the I/O to twin outboard conversion and are you documenting the structural changes as you go ?
 
Good morning. I’m still waiting for delivery. The transporter should be back from Florida next week and can firm up delivery. Last week I had all the bearings replaced and swapped in new wheels and tires and the seller got the trailer lights working.

I’ve had several current owners of these tell me it’s better to go single main outboard and a kicker. As of now, I’m pretty partial to twins on the outer sponsons for maneuverability. My kids had a slip this summer and it would have been so much better with twins trying to get in and out.
Also , I’d like to keep the swept back transom and lose the engine bay hump for the walkout transom.
 
Nice find, and definitely worth some attention.
The flybridge lines are definitely out of character, are you planning to keep that?
The fake drop sheer looks funky to me, would be much more appealing if the sheer actually did drop there for a lower cockpit coaming.
The stern wing is classic, and should stay.
Good luck with the project, keep us posted on progress!
 
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