225 or 250 HP too much???

[Stinky_Hooker]

hey guys I was wondering if yall thought a 225 or 250 would be too much on my 79 steplift? I was just wondering, as I am still months away from buying one, but I have seen some good 200+ HP motors out there. They cant weigh much more huh...I would think that weight would be the main factor. Except that I think most 225-250 Ive seen are 25 inch shaft, do they make em in 20??

Just wondering, what do you guys think?

[chumbucket]

I wouldn't be as concerned with weight but more so with the amount of power you're attempting to put on an old transom. Check the max horsepower rating as well. Not to sure on the '79, but I believe max was around 235. Which is a lot of power and gas consumption. How fast do you want to go, and how much abuse are you willing to subject your older boat to? I would be looking for something in the 150 - 175 range and that'll give you really good performance. A 200hp would be okay I guess but probably starting to push the envelope a bit. With a 150 Yammi, mine topped out at 38 mph and was still good on fuel consumption. Macojoe has a 175 Yammi and gets a bit more speed than that without burning much more fuel.
That's my .02

[chumbucket]

Well, I just went to the library in the gallery. No '79 brochures, but there's a '78. According to this, max hp is 240. I would still think about what I mentioned above though.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=cat_1978&id=09_G

[Stinky_Hooker]

I gotcha chum. Im not after speed, just thinkin on it and have seen good bigger motors for sell. I dont want more fuel consumpsion though and if that is what would happen with more motor Ill rethink it. I was under the impression that a little more HP wouldnt take more fuel, but maybe work less and therefore use less.

[chumbucket]

That's true to a certain extent, but in general, the bigger motors will and do use more gas.

[Stinky_Hooker]

10-4 Thanks chubo, I know a 150-200 will be plenty anyway.

[Pipe_Dream]

I went from an old OMC 155 commercial to a Yamaha HPDI 200 this year. *I can tell you that the 200 is more than enough power for my old boat, and I wouldn't go with anything heavier, that's for sure. *Weight affects not only how low the stern (and scuppers) are at the dock, but also the handling characteristics at higher speeds. *At full throttle it's definitely a little bit "squirrelly!" *But it's also a gas to surprise the newer Grady's around here! *;D

[macojoe]

The 175 is more them you will ever need!! These hulls were not ment for speed!~! So you will only use it on the flat days, and I don't know about were you are, but We very rearly get alot of flat days.

That said I know that a 175 yamaha is of the same weight as they are the same block. 390 pounds

The added HP will also add torque to the transom also when you doind hole shots! So take it easy!

I belive the 225 hp is the same as the 250 block and will add more weight to the boat.

So unless you are 100% sure on that transom I would not want to go over a 150 to 200

I get about the same numbers as CB, 38 or so with a light load. But with 3 people and gear we move nicley at 30 to 33 mph, which is great by me!

Good Luck

[Seakindly]

Yes.

[Stinky_Hooker]

yeah, not alot of flat days here either couldnt run fast if ya wanted!!!I think a 175 or 200 is what im goin for. I am going to build a top out of aluminum for if with electronics box and all that so I want plenty of ummf for the x weight.



Man this is a cool sight...lots a good stuff here for us restorin kind!!

Glad there are those out there as "unique" as me. or whatever u call me??? ;D ;D ;D

[chumbucket]

Well, give it about another month and you can call me manic depressive. :-/

[macojoe]

I am already there!! And i just covered the boat yesterday!!

[Pipe_Dream]

I feel for you. I was in the same boat, so to speak, until I moved to South Carolina. It's hotter'n you-know-where in the summer, but I get to use my boat year-round. 8)

Life is a series of trade-offs . . . unless you win the lottery!

[Seacrets]

Had an 85 rated for 200 hp max, got an 86 rated for 235 hp. I don't think these boats were ever rated for more than (outboard) 235 hp. If you put on a 250 your insurance company may have some questions (BIA hp ratings for the boat), especially if you have a claim.
I/O hp is different with a max. hp of 260, typically a 350 chevrolet. Remember in 79 outboard motors were rated by powerhead hp and not prop hp like the newer motors. An old powerhead rated 200 may only generate 170 hp at the prop. Just my $.02

[CT_V-20]

I'm surpised on that 240hp rating too. My '86 is rated max at 235. I don't recall a 240 hp outboard ever being produced! Maybe your looking at I/O max rating? But I would say, the 235 hp of '86 (or '79 for that matter) definately weighs more than a 225 hp today. Probably on the order of a modern 250 hp. That said, I'd second the notion of limiting the beating you are willing to give your 25 year old hull. But what do I know, I've got a piddling 110 hp 1.6L Sea Drive?!

[trout25red]

This was my other post a few months back. It might help you answer the question"

"1st time posting. Great Site. 1985 V20 with 225 Johnson High Output (about 240hp at prop). She runs 53-56mph by GPS depending in load. Cruise at 40mph @4400 rpm and 13 GPH. Happy to see so many people appreciating these boats."

[mawshj]

one thing to remember about horse pwr rating on older boats is that in 1979 the engines were rated at the motor head, along about 1990 ( I am not sure of the exact year) the rating was moved to the prop. This means the newer motors have about 25 percent more push than an older motor of the same hp rating, also the new motors weigh about 10-15 precent less than the older motors ,sooo you need to be carefull when reading the rating on an older boat if you want to put a newer engine on it. food for thought

[Coach]

I have a 2001 Yamaha 225 on a 89 hull. I love the set up. I did it because a got a deal on a left-over motor not because I needed the speed. Just have to be careful!

[Snapper298]

dont mean to disagree with you macojoe, but speaking with the Wellcraft rep, (I live just 30 minutes north of the old factory)... these hulls were made for speed. That was the only reason for the steps, and they are still one of the fastest hulls around, I know mine runs great

[sfprovyn]

Most of the V-20's I see in the ocean have 150s on them probably because you can never run them full out and the 150 is cheaper to run and lighter. I know a guy with a new Merc 135 opti max on an 84 V20 that will barely out run my old 83 V20 with a 150 Black Max but I just got a free power head for it so I will keep it until it blows then I will probably go for a newer 150 to 200. The newer motors are faster but some of them are very heavy especially the 4 strokes. Frank

[macojoe]

There is a guy here that runs a 135 and says he loves it!
But I have a need for speed!! I have 175, but wouldn't mind a 200 ;D

But your right, 90% of the time you will not or can't run anything that big any way and it is better to stay smaller 150.

[Pipe_Dream]

Holy thread resurrection! :o ::)

[reelapeelin]

Careful what you say...the board never forgets... ;D...

[macojoe]

Clarification, Its a great boat for speed when its flat!! Add a small chop and she is going to start to bang, after a good 1 foot or better chop start backing it down.

Its not a fast ruff water boat, but it takes the ruff great at a low speed.

:P

[chitbob1]

Stinky heres my opinion as you know where we are there are very few days you can open a boat up, anyway with that said the bigger motors are cheaper to buy and well maintained because the rich change them often so burning more gas is no problem it would take along time at a few gallons a trip to make up the difference on repairs on a smaller motor, people tend to keep them longer and neglect them

[Perfidiajoe]

Well as Yogi would say,"Nothin' like beatin' an dead horse to death" but here's my opinion, & 11 seasons of observations. I run a '77 cuddy w/ a '95 Merc 225 XRi which I bought new in '95. I had an OMC 185 prior to this, I get a little better fuel economy from the Merc. as I don't have to push the throtle so far to get the same speed, meaning I use a lesser amount of the engines available HP to produce the same speed. The bigger block engine though weighing more makes more torque. If you can get a good deal on a motor & if it don't hurt your Insurance or break any laws, I would do it. I've never heard of anyone complain they were too fast or had too much power. IMHO Joe

[willy]

I guess I'm on the other end of the spectrum, my 1985 cuddy has a 1999 Johnson 115 on a bracket. I think if I ever do another engine it will be a 150. I think that my boat is going plenty fast loaded up fuel three guys and all my coolers and crap. I'm in the mid 30's wide open and around here that is flying under the normal conditions. At that speed it handles

[bigshrimpin]

I think a yamaha 225/250 sws (3.1L yamahas) would be a decent motor for the v20.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Wow guys...THANKS!! ;D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v721/bbingsuperman/Smilies/beat.gif