Repowering a 18 Foot CC Holiday

[marsbar]

I have an opportunity to purchase a rebuilt "KL" engine which I believe is about 108 HP. The orginal engine that came with the Holiday was a KBL with 131 HP. Is this a good idea from a power standpoint? Don't know if the smaller KL engine would have a hard time pushing the boat along on a plane. Never had the boat in the water yet, so I have no experience. Just want to avoid being disapointed. I also don't know if its a "sin" not to repower the craft with the same model motor that it came with from the factory. Would this be a significant downside for future value/sale? I have no intention of selling it, but who knows, I may have a new project that needs funding!

[brad9798]

KL is 105hp ... and your are correct-KBL is 131hp.

Basically, you are looking at roughly 26% less power ...

I imagine your Holiday is 18'?

It will work just fine ... research some of the older model CC runabouts (barrelbacks, etc.) from earlier vintage ... they used KL engines for many years.

Heck, how 'bout the MBL 158hp engine that they used in later Holidays, etc? Those were pretty powerful then ... at least for what they were.

Sure, it's always nice to have the extra 26hp, but your boat will perform fine on 105hp ... unless you are planning on pulling skiers, it should be a big deal.

Now, about using an non-original engine, it's like putting non-matching numbers in a 1965 'Vette. Some people will lose sleep over it, but 99.9% will never know.

If I were to repower, I'd keep the old engine (running or not) in storage ... in case you ever do want to sell.

Look, if you are totalling restoring to show quality, it will affect price (not having the 'right' engine) ... but in most cases, it will not matter a hill of beans ... especially if you have the old one to go along with a sale.

There may be other opinions ... but that is mine.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

18 foot Holiday's 1955-58 were offered by Chris Craft with K, KL, KBL, KLC, and KFL engines.

Which Holiday do you have?
There were a lot of them...

[marsbar]

Thanks very much for the input. I do have an 18 foot Holiday. Unfortunately, the original motor was not available when I purchased it. I do know that it came from Chris Craft with the KBL motor as that is what is on the "build card" from the historical records. I don't think I will mind a little less HP...just didn't really have an idea just how much this may effect things. I figure I am going to try and stay as true to the original build as possible, but not go crazy over it. I believe in applying new technology prudently and with proper respect to the boat to maintain its original "intent"...to be a beautiful and reliable craft. I like the tag line one of the professional boat restoration companies use in their add....."thoughtful incorporation of modern engineering for maximum safety and reliability". May make some purists cringe, but I am OK with it.

Thanks again for the input...will have lots of other questions for the forum the farther I get along.....Regards....Mark