A little bit of thread drift here but I feel that I must head off some incorrect statements...

1. Overpowering a boat does not overstress the transom unless your talking a lot more weight (think old JohnnyRude V-8's). Look back sometime and watch what your motor is doing in rough water, adding another 50 or 100 horsepower isn't going to hurt a ChampioN transom (or most other brands either). Everyone of my boats (except my current 203) has been overpowered going back to my very first flat bottom - treat them with respect and they can be a lot of fun.

2. Promax is going to be a terrible motor for a new boat owner. Not the right motor for a Champion (Stroker, Bullet, Blazer, Allison would be more appropriate). For a newbie they will get really tired of buying gas. Sounding cool is great for speed boats and runabouts.... Expensive parts and limited number of wrenches (mechanics) really understand how to work on them as well.

***disclaimer*** I am not advocating overpowering a boat, if it turns your stomach just thinking about it then don't buy one. You probably don't run programmers on your trucks either - but that's a whole nother can of worms...

Peace,
Don<><