Regal 1800, 2005 max engine size allowed???

[joshnew]

G'day, I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the maximum size engine allowed to be installed in a Regal 1800 2005 model? I currently have A 4.3 L MPI engine but it needs to be replaced as I hit a sandbar and stuffed it.
So I thought if I'm going to replace the engine why not see what size is the maximum that I can fit in the boat possibly a 5.7 L or something like that.
The boat does not have a compliance plate as such to identify what the maximum rating or size engine that is is permissible to be installed in the boat so any info that I can get hold of would be much appreciated. Thanks Josh.

[catalina_mike]

Read this review. Not sure why you would need more that what you had. If you were not getting this performance then look for the cause.
http://www.usboattest.com/boat-tests/bo ... 0-lsr.html

[cbsmith]

I don't think there is any way you could get a 5.7 to work in a 1800. Even if it fit it would be way heavier than the 4.3 sitting the transom down in the water. Also with the increased speed you would get the boat would have a hard time handling it, I suspect it would chine walk all over the place and be hard to keep the bow down due to the extra weight.

When I bought my 1900 it was possible to get a 5.0L in it and from talking to the dealer and someone who had one with the 5.0 it was too much for the boat and he had issues with chine walking.

[joshnew]

Ok thanks for the info, I might get a long engine and slap that in for now then later throw a Vortec belt driven super charger on it. I've seen a bloke has done that and loved it.

[gofast24]

Ok thanks for the info, I might get a long engine and slap that in for now then later throw a Vortec belt driven super charger on it. I've seen a bloke has done that and loved it.

Throwing a supercharger on a 4.3L? The previous poster indicated that your 4.3 NA engine is about all the boat can safely handle? Why dont you just sell it and get a 20/23' vessel with a 5.7 L or larger engine in it that is proven safe and your insurance company will insure it with the manufactures max. recommended HP rating? Before buying my 4160 I had a 24' Python cuddy cabin with a 460 HP 502 cu. in. Mercrusier in it, thru transom dual 4" exhaust, 75 MPH and very difficult to handle at that speed other than going in a straight line in calm seas. Even then trimming the Bravo II way out it got scary holding on to the the steering wheel and chine walking even more scary. Glad the 4160 only does about 34 knots at wot, just the fuel consumption at wot is a killer (about 50 gallons/hour).

PS: getting ready for Irma here in the ATL area. Yesterday went to the dock, removed all canvas, stowed every loose thing in the salon, added 4X dock bumpers only used at anchor against other vessels, and added the 4X extra dock ropes from the boat to the dock cleats. Just hoping the roof doesnt blow off or one of the fingers dont break loose and have a neighbors vessel smash into ours! Marina posted that all items on dock or fingers have to be removed/stowed or they will come out and remove everything and put into the trash!
Only thing allowed on the fingers is dock lockers if they are bolted to the deck.