Looking good. I like the looks of her. My boat is a trailer queen also, and there are lots of us here that keep them on trailers, so you're not alone.

As to your question about the 4 strokes, I have no numbers, but from what I've heard they are typically about 1/3 cheaper on gas for the same miles traveled. People like SpareParts or TheFermanator can probably give you better figures than that, since they work on them professionally.

As to your need for speed, I can tell you that my V20 with a 225 Johnnyrude can hit 50+ on a calm day, properly trimmed and with a light load, so you can wave at those 1/4 million boats as you pass them.

I have a cuddy model with a hard top.

My old Merc 150 2 stroke got me to 45-ish mph WOT when light.
Thats's when it started, which was always a problem with every 2 stroke i've ever owned...( read that as "I don't like 2 strokes")

My Suzuki 140 4 stroke gets me to 36ish WOT under normal load. I'm never light anymore... I find that fine for my use, entirely fishing. I love my 4 stroke and would never buy a 2 stroke again. Turn the key it starts,even after a long winter, it starts, 10 years old turn the key, it starts....no stinky blue smoke, great gas miles

If they had 150 4 strokes when I bought it I probably would have done that. I think a 150 is a perfect motor for these boats, maybe 175. You'll find a lot of guys here that love their 225 2 strokes but it seems like too much to me.But if you're looking to go fast, a 2 stroke 225 is probably best.

In these light boats, it has to be flat to run over 30mph without taking flight. They do ride well at 26 even in some crap.

As far as 30" shaft...I think that expen$e is only for twin applications. But seriously, I believe they stopped making this hull with a 20" transom around 1980, so that has to say something. I think you'll take a lot of water with that chopped transom, especially with no splash well and a big motor, as your boat is configured.

87 V20 fisherman
 

It just so happens I have the exact same model as yours. I had to replace the tank in mine a few years back. I'll try to find where I put the pics later. There is a removable hatch under the console and extending back behind the pedestal seats. It is sealed with caulk. To remove it you first have to lift the console up. This was sealed with something much stronger, but I was able to slide a razor knife along the edge to cut it. After removing the hatch you are looking at the entire fuel tank. This allowed for easy, (not really it was foamed in) removal of the tank for replacement. I had an exact duplicate made at sunshine tank fabrication, coated it with coal tar epoxy, and reset it and foamed it in. It looks like someone probably hacked up the edges of the console trying to remove the hatch. If you like I can get some pics for you or if you have anything I can help you with please let me know....

as far as fuel economy difference on new mercury 2 & 4 strokes they are about the same. modern 2 strokes are very good on gas.

I love my 150 E-TECH. Starts right up every time, planes off instantly, gets low to mid 40's top end though she may have a little more, I've never fully topped her out. Great on gas and burns hardly any oil, it will scare you until you get used to it. I run with only me and my wife, and sometimes our 35 and 50 lbs dogs, a cooler with some drinks and sandwiches. I've run a couple fast boats in my past and sometimes think I'd hang a 200 on her if I were to do it again. I had a 225 Evinrude on her before and would run low 50's top end with a 19" prop, burned 3 times the fuel.

One of the ways I reasoned spending the money was taking the price of the engine and dividing by the number of years I plan on having it, and the number of times I plan on using it per year. I heard an old man say once that saltwater outboards live in dog years, As in if used regularly expect 12-15 years out of them before needing a rebuild etc. There are lots of exceptions to that rule.

If it were me, If I could get the old 235 running well, I'd run her with the plan of upgrading as soon as anything came up requiring me to spend more than 25% of it's value. (Which isn't much, about 49 cents a pound for cast aluminum at my scrap yard) Ferm and Spare can talk you through anything with those engines and being you already have mechanical knowledge will help you alot. Keep in mind it is a 30+ year old marine engine that just about anyone with any knowledge of them knows their old and gas hogs. Don't throw good money after bad. Plus you'll love that new engine smell.