Restoring/Repowering Hourston 15.5 (16)

Mine's not a Hourston but I have repowered twice with both a 50 and 60 HP.
I would go with the 60.
 
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Good time to buy - everyone is trying to get rid of any leftover stock from the 2024 season.
 
I ran a 65hp Mercury 2 stroke on mine, a bit underpowered with a load. In hindsight I'd put a 90hp on it. Check out the Hourston page on FB
 
Be careful on the weight. I had an evinrude 70 two stroke and a 6hp four stroke kicker on my 15.5. With two full 6 gal fuel tanks in the back it was a bit stern heavy. I found the power to be adequate. A 90 would be about a hundred pounds heavier, but could be mitigated by not having a kicker, or using a bow tank.
 
I had an X Sewells 15.5 for years with a 25hp merc. It was (adequate ) but not enough power if I took out 2 passengers. I traded it for 17.5 (also X Sewells ) with a 90 Merc. Great little inexpensive boat to run. Handled 3 of us fishing as far as Cape Caution from Hardy or off Bam. Could have used more power.... But where does an angler say "enough" and wifey give you the "look" when she wants a new car ???? --- Now I have a 20ft Alumaweld that is a bit underpowered with a 115 Merc stroke. Purchased from the factory in Oregon in 2008. Its a slug compared with other glass boats of a similar size but it does the job. For me the limiting factor was the extra cost of upgrading to more HP. Sometimes "good enough" IS good enough.
 
i got an older DE 15-6 (16') put on a 75 yamaha 4 stroke goes fast enough for me now had to play around with prop's (15P) to get the WOT but 5.6K i get 32mph which for that little thing is plenty fast enough...
 
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