[Blue_Runner]

Jackman, with the boat on the trailer and the motor tilted down, put your foot on the lower unit and proceed to put your weight on it as if you were gonna stand on it. See if you notice any movement in that transom. If the whole trailer moves up and down, the transom is pretty stout. If you see the outboard springing forward and back and trailer not moving, you might have some wiggle in that transom.

Also, as others have mentioned on this board before, take a rubber mallet and tap around on the transom to listen for dead spots where delamination may have occurred.

If all of the above checks out, put it in the water and never look back! All these guys are just jealous cause they don't have a 225hp 4 stroke! You tha man! Let us know what your top speed is - inquiring minds want to know!