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A over-built 3-cyl Merc will push the boat hopefully to 70 mph. The Yamaha has the ability to hold together better and rev a bit higher, but that seems to be the limit. This winter my motor is coming apart and being built by a 3.0 Merc motor building legend. He is going to add a custom fabricated offshore mid section with above water exhaust, and he is going to attempt to sleeve the block and put forged pistons with a shorter stroke to rev higher, my personal goal is 9,000 rpm. Then he plans to machine new billet head/exhaust plate and a custom flywheel. Port and polish, etc. The lower will be filled in and the exhaust thru the hub will be removed, and cross-section reduced. Don't even ask why I'm doing it, I don't have a good enough reason, but there's gonna be a Boston Whaler top speed shoot-out early next summer, and I want to make a good showing. I like the weight of the 3-cyl, but to lighten it, I'm going to attempt a carbon fiber skirt and cowl. We will see if I actually get it all done in time or even do it at all. If it doesn't work out in theory, I'll try to hang a 90's 2.4 or 2.5 V-6 on it for the race.