Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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!

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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?!

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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."

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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!

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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

Re: 225 or 250 HP too much???
 

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