Brian, I think the suzie 150/175s have more dislacement than F150s. Suzie was obviously looking for an advantage from design day start with the target 150 HP market.
The 25HP may not make much of a difference, but just like same block F225/F250s, Grady doesn't bother anymore with F225s.
No such option with F150s, if there was a same block F175, I think we'd never see Grady use another F150 on anything 20 ft and larger.
Grady is basically stuck with what Yamaha offers 4 stroke wise, so they make good with it.
The first 275 at the NY show which I believe was the same hull being lugged around show to show with Joey attached, was equipped with twin F150s.
The Islander and it's offspring CC and DC genders, have wide range of both single and twin options, 2 and 4 stroke, all can work, way more than the heavier wider Sailfish. Even the F350 works now. The F250 single may cut mustard as well. The F350 doesn't look likely on 290 as single or twin, only on 700Hp rated recent Marlin.
Being the the 290, is just 600 lbs ligher than the Marlin with it's much higher rated 700 HP hull, you know what I'll be asking Grady factory reps at NY Show! In addition,, this may be last show to ever see a Marlin, hope not.
Back to Islanders, the Islander must have left the dance hand in hand with the yamaha product line manager, should be profiled in match.com TV ads!