captain
Contributor
Weight was never a problem, room was. I had a 24' center console I/O and 4 divers, gear, 12 tanks and a topside watch didn't leave much left over room. I now have a 22" CC straight inboard and keep it to 2 or 3 divers and topside watch. A 350 cu/in V8 I/O in a 22 foot boat should have enough power. A closed forward deck is safer in heavy weather as it is less likely a wave taken over the bow will fill the boat like it would with a open center console.