Looking for a motor for my vintage 1600. The boat is in awesome shape, just needs a motor.  I need to know what other owners of this boat have put on theirs.  I currently have an evenrude 70 and it measures about 22" on the shaft. but the boat just won't get going faster than about 30.  Also I am measuring the transom and to the bottom of the V, as this boat has all the way back is @ 25" so I'm assuming I need an XL shaft motor of 25".  Please comment.

What is the maximum HP rating on the data plate?  Get the biggest motor the maximum rating will allow. Use a dealer close to you so when or if you need service or to get it installed, you don't have to go too far.

115hp and it is heavy especially with 3 men in the boat.

They were the pre runner to the Nitro 160.

My buddy had one years back with a 115 Yamaha, and it performed very well, maybe almost seemed too much in some cases.

I can imagine a 70 wouldn't quite do it, but a 90/115 would fill the gap in performance.