Mercury 175xr2 vs 16 ft welded valco Jon

[Valco deathwish]

Am I crazy to think I can install a Mercury power jet xr2 inboard in my 16 ft valco Jon boat? I have been toying with the idea of building a jet Jon for a while but I have never wanted to sacrifice my valco. I recently aquired a 3 seater seadoo type boat with a pretty amazing motor. It came equipped with the merc 175 xr2 power jet. at first glance the motor footprint looks a lot more compact than some of the jet ski conversions I see. I guess my question is... Is the an accident waiting to happen? Or, am I a genius? The boat will be used solely for fishing rivers in the northwest.

 

[fishbum]

Don't know anything about your hull but lots of the 175 sj in 10-11' mini boats
Have to fab up the tunnel housing I just sold 3 to guys in BC. For small 14' boats
Would need some extra bracing. Only thing is they are tall! You can buy the tunnel built and ready to drop in also.