I have a Grandsport with a 280 Short shaft and a JC coned lower unit. I leaned a cylinder out (not bad but still will need a sleeve and re-chrome). So I'm on the fence on what to do. My options are:
1. talked with Diamond Marine about rebuild. Diamond can push up the hp envelope by about 30 hp with their magic and still keep the alternator etc. Diamond does the break-in procedure and then dyno's it prior to shipping back so it should be good for 100-150 hours. I've talked to a couple of people that has done this and they are very happy with the results.
2. purchase a new 150 pro x four stroke and put a cone on the lower unit (part out the 280 to recoop some $'s). Will I be happy with this lower amount of hp?
3. purchase a used 300XS (I own one that I bought new since 2008 and not a big fan of this motor). Been thru 12 coils, 3 fuel diaphragms, a compressor, wiring on the trim pump motor so far and has had a history of breaking down a lot.
4. go to a 200 pro stock set up (Dave D's intake, hotter heads, porting etc) and mount it on my 15" mid. Still only going to be around 240-250 hp.
5. purchase a new 300R (part out the 280 to recoop some $'s) Problem with this is the weight. They are weighing 565 #'s dressed out. There is a aftermarket cowl coming out which knocks down 22 #'s off though.
So what to do? I have some time to decide due to funding issue so I thought I would get other opinions. I'm real happy with the 280 performance and handling with the 15" mid and hate to go back to a 20" mid set up. I like to run high speeds for long period of time so top end is important to me. I just can't decide which way to go. So I'm looking for other owners opinions on this situation.
1. talked with Diamond Marine about rebuild. Diamond can push up the hp envelope by about 30 hp with their magic and still keep the alternator etc. Diamond does the break-in procedure and then dyno's it prior to shipping back so it should be good for 100-150 hours. I've talked to a couple of people that has done this and they are very happy with the results.
2. purchase a new 150 pro x four stroke and put a cone on the lower unit (part out the 280 to recoop some $'s). Will I be happy with this lower amount of hp?
3. purchase a used 300XS (I own one that I bought new since 2008 and not a big fan of this motor). Been thru 12 coils, 3 fuel diaphragms, a compressor, wiring on the trim pump motor so far and has had a history of breaking down a lot.
4. go to a 200 pro stock set up (Dave D's intake, hotter heads, porting etc) and mount it on my 15" mid. Still only going to be around 240-250 hp.
5. purchase a new 300R (part out the 280 to recoop some $'s) Problem with this is the weight. They are weighing 565 #'s dressed out. There is a aftermarket cowl coming out which knocks down 22 #'s off though.
So what to do? I have some time to decide due to funding issue so I thought I would get other opinions. I'm real happy with the 280 performance and handling with the 15" mid and hate to go back to a 20" mid set up. I like to run high speeds for long period of time so top end is important to me. I just can't decide which way to go. So I'm looking for other owners opinions on this situation.