Prop to Pump

[Steelie Ben]

So I thought I posted this last night but I cannot find it for the life of me :crazy: must have done something wrong!! Ok so I have been looking and doing some research into getting a sled this winter. I originally thought I had my heart set on an inboard V-8 and hamilton pump, somewhere in the 21-23' range. I got to thinking about gas prices and room and all sorts of stuff and now I am second guessing what I really want! I started to think about a big outboard coupled to a jet and prop unit. How hard is it to change these things back and forth and could it be done in my garage fairly simple? I still like the forward helm windshield idea and would love to be able to run a prop in the summer/fall and switch to a pump to run my winter steelhead rivers and for springers. I have been looking at willie, NR, and alumaweld but really haven't made a brand decision yet. I think a big 4-stroke would get way better gas mileage and be quieter but would it perform as well in the shallows as an inboard. Please give me some direction and advice! I would like to go to the boat show with a really good idea of what is practicle for me (as practicle as a boat can be!!) and be able to shop for a good deal. Thanks for any help.
Ben

[Orca]

Will be easy to switch in your garage. But, you will want the Outboard on a jack plate so that you can adjust the engine height for each setup.

Here is info from the Outboard Jets website:

"26. How long does it take to change from prop to jet?
About one hour; more the first time, less after you have done it. Raising the boat transom approximately six inches takes longer, depending on how you do it. If you plan to switch between prop and jet, depending on water conditions, winter, summer, etc., purchase a second cooling water pump so that each, the prop and jet drive, have one installed and you don't have to transfer the pump back and forth."

You could give Outboard Jets a call to get more info. They may have a recommendation for a jack plate or other setup. Looks like Outboard up 6 inches for jet, back down 6 for prop. The swap is simply the bolts that hold the lower unit to the upper, the internal shift linkage bolt on the prop drive, and the external reverse bucket rod or cable on the pump.