Hi guys,
Been lurking in the back for a couple years now.
I bought a well worn 1989 15’ panther boat. This was to the best of my knowledge used by TVA for Mississippi River bottom use, seismic activity I’m told.
Anyhow it had a 350 with a 2:1 century belt box on it and a 2 blade wood stick. When I bought it it was all there , but, the engine had been sunk and rusted solid. The belt box on the other hand was recently apparently gone through and is still in great shape. The boat hull is still solid but has a few boo boos that are going to need attention.
Sooo… here’s my question. Given the fact I’d like to use this strictly for hunting in shallow shallow river water in some bottomland where the mud is like paste, and sometimes depending on the time of year as much as 10-12 feet deep water in the same places.
If I keep the hull and put it back top notch and don’t wish to change this belt box(2:1 ratio), I still need an engine. I also need a new prop.
I think the prop will end up being whatever I HAVE to choose with the 2:1 ratio. The wild card here is the engine. That is what I do for a living, machine shop building engines. So I can go back with a 350 or a 454/496…
What would you gentlemen suggest I do here if I wanted to keep the current belt drive ratio I have??? And how delusional would I be thinking that this will have a good ending with a boat that works like it should?
Thank you fellas in advance, and sorry for the somewhat noob questions.
Been lurking in the back for a couple years now.
I bought a well worn 1989 15’ panther boat. This was to the best of my knowledge used by TVA for Mississippi River bottom use, seismic activity I’m told.
Anyhow it had a 350 with a 2:1 century belt box on it and a 2 blade wood stick. When I bought it it was all there , but, the engine had been sunk and rusted solid. The belt box on the other hand was recently apparently gone through and is still in great shape. The boat hull is still solid but has a few boo boos that are going to need attention.
Sooo… here’s my question. Given the fact I’d like to use this strictly for hunting in shallow shallow river water in some bottomland where the mud is like paste, and sometimes depending on the time of year as much as 10-12 feet deep water in the same places.
If I keep the hull and put it back top notch and don’t wish to change this belt box(2:1 ratio), I still need an engine. I also need a new prop.
I think the prop will end up being whatever I HAVE to choose with the 2:1 ratio. The wild card here is the engine. That is what I do for a living, machine shop building engines. So I can go back with a 350 or a 454/496…
What would you gentlemen suggest I do here if I wanted to keep the current belt drive ratio I have??? And how delusional would I be thinking that this will have a good ending with a boat that works like it should?
Thank you fellas in advance, and sorry for the somewhat noob questions.