Max horsepower
 

Hi what is the maximum horsepower for 85 V20 center console with a 2015 brand-new engine

weight is more of an issue than hp. probably opti or evinrude's new G2 would have the best power to weight ratio.

235HP is what they were factory rated at, but keep in mind that was a 235HP outboard that weighed less than 400 pounds. As outboard weight went up, I believe they dropped back to 200HP again in later years. Keep it light most importantly. I would think the new 4 cylinder 4 stroke YAMAHA, or one of the direct inejcted 150-200HP outboards would be just fine. A few here run newer 200HP large displacement direct injected outboards and say they are good also. But I would stay light to keep the stern higher when fishing to minimize water intrusion through the scuppers. I would avoid engines like the 225 HONDA, MERCURY VERADO, and other large V-6 4 strokes.

I have the same boat. Just ran it for the first time with 2008 etec 200HO yesterday (about 220hp at prop). Didn't have it propped quite right as it was only turning 5100rpm, but at about 52 mph it started to chine walk. We had a very light load (half tank fuel, no gear, 2 adults). Prop was 21" Viper.

Based on the foregoing I would think 225hp is "more than you need" type max and 200 HP would be sweet spot, assuming your priority is a fast cruise over economy.

I replaced a 225 Evinrude looper with a 150 etec that I love. Now that I'm not as poor as I used to be I'd probably go for a 200 if hanging a new engine. I like the etecs, but wouldn't hesitate to run a new 4 cylinder four stroke 200 Yamaha or maybe a Suzuki depending on your local dealer/mechanic support situation.

Everyone has their favorite, but for me, I have a 1991 Mercury 200 hp 2.5L engine that I absolutely love. Boat moves when I want it to and loafs when speed isn't an issue. I know that Wellcraft for a lot of years sold these boats with a 150 hp engine, and there are a lot of ppl on this site that swear that combo is just about perfect, but for me the 200 is where I want to be at.

x2....mine is a late 80s Merc 2.4 200, that has been built and tweeked just a touch. I couldn't be happier

So what prop are you running now ? The REBEL prop is most commonly recommended with the Etec's ....... Hitting 52 mph at only 5,100 rpm is very fast....... look forward to speed report when you're tuned properly and getting 5,600 rpm.

I run a 250 but that is overkill. It allows for a lot of power across the RPM range and runs close to 60 mph. I ran a 1980's model 2.4 liter carbed Mercury 200 hp for a time.(like 175 hp by todays rating method) It ran great and was better suited for the boat because it was over 100 lbs lighter than the big 250. Be aware, heavy 4-strokes don't work well on these hulls. They were designed with lighter power in mind as that is what was available at the time. I'm not saying it won't work as many would say the 250 I run won't work. Shhhhh- just don't let it hear you say it...

Happy to hear that! I just bought myself a 1989 V20F-CC with a nice and bulky Mercury 250 EFI and I'm very curious to test the performance next summer!

What prop du u use? I have a 21" SS High-five but I'm thinking about changing to 3-blade?

A high five is a good prop for getting on plane, thats it. What prop you need has alot to do with how you plan to use the boat. I like the large diameter mirage type props for most uses myself. Not the fastest, but good holeshot, faster cruise speeds, and good economy because of excellent bite.

To finish Ferm's thought I use a 3 blade Mirage copy made by Quicksilver without the PVS (vent holes) 21 Pitch. Not the fastest but great all around performance. Big round eared blades with some cup on the trailing edge for extra bite. Good bow lift, good cruise, both speed and mileage wise.
I had an EFI once. Sold it to a guy on here. Those motors drink lots of petrol...
It was the fastest motor I ever tried on my V-20 at 61.7 mph officially turning a 23p Tempest to the limiter at 5800 RPM.. Lots of prop slip but the stern lifts a little more with the Tempest and that prop likes trim. See signature picture of the 250 EFI strung out on the Suwannee River a few years back. That was when I weighed 270 lbs. Now that I am 175 lbs. I am sure I could reach 62 ;-) :beer:
Click on the picture to see how much boat is actually out of the water. The keel is touching water just in front of the console. Aired out for a old F-20 fisherman.Attachment 6316

Attachment 6317

The top slows it down.

Thats because you need to put some wings on it to increase lift, then it would help you out on the top end.

Wings impede fishing. Not that I ever fish. LOL!

Make them fold up into outriggers, problem solved.

Ridge every time I see pics of your boat runnin like that it make me want to hurry up and get mine buttoned up and out on the water!!!

:sun:Hurry up! What is taking so :cen: long? LOL! Pimping aint easy.

Just been lacking some motivation but hopefully will be testing it out the weekend after thanksgiving!

my 91 v20 is running a 300hp mpi small block with a bravo leg in mine.
i turn a 18" mariage plus prop and my WOT is 5200
really stern heavy and had to put tabs on it to stop it from porposing

its a heavy boat with all the downriggers, radar arch/rod holders, 6" full canvas top, stereo, 9.9 kicker, dual batterys, prawn puller with traps etc etc etc

my max speed is around 42 knots, but cruises ar 30knots at 3200 rpm getting 2.5mpg according to the smartcraft gauges. jumps up on a plane in 2-3 seconds. i could have saved some weight and probably gained top end with an alpha leg but found a complete bravo package instead

I don't see how you could be any more stern heavy than my rig. But mine does not porpoise at normal trim angles. If you over trim without the hammer down, yes it will porpoise. I haven't seen one yet that wouldn't if you put in too much trim.. MY .02

you need a higher pitch prop, bring it down to around 4800-4900 at WOT

I/O Bravo, way heavy

Thanx for shearing, I'm used to the Mirage myself as I had one on a Formula 223 I used to owned.

I want good overall use but with as high top speed as possible, and that shouldn't be a problem with 250 hp?

[QUOTE=RidgeRunner;224561]To finish Ferm's thought I use a 3 blade Mirage copy made by Quicksilver without the PVS (vent holes) 21 Pitch. Not the fastest but great all around performance. Big round eared blades with some cup on the trailing edge for extra bite. Good bow lift, good cruise, both speed and mileage wise.
I had an EFI once. Sold it to a guy on here. Those motors drink lots of petrol...
It was the fastest motor I ever tried on my V-20 at 61.7 mph officially turning a 23p Tempest to the limiter at 5800 RPM.. Lots of prop slip but the stern lifts a little more with the Tempest and that prop likes trim. See signature picture of the 250 EFI strung out on the Suwannee River a few years back. That was when I weighed 270 lbs. Now that I am 175 lbs. I am sure I could reach 62 ;-) :beer:
Click on the picture to see how much boat is actually out of the water. The keel is touching water just in front of the console. Aired out for a old F-20 fisherman.Attachment 6316
Looks awesome! :clap:
It looks like you have a bracket on, is that good or bad for top speed? My boat doesn't have a top, so I'm gonna reach for the 62 mph mark, or 55kn as we say!

I think it helps to get the propeller into cleaner water, maybe a little top end gain. I never ran the boat without the bracket, so I do not know for sure..

4800-5200 is the normal wot operating range for an mpi motor. its actually 5170rpm when its stripped down and empty of fuel/light, and 4900 when loaded up with gear and fuel. --- just perfect imo

fyi the bottom of my swim platform sits about flush with the water

Speaking from experience, if its an injected engine, it starts pulling power at 4900 or so. Put one in a few years back, and found it to be PICKY about propping. If you went a hair low on pitch, it would pull power, a hair to much pitch and it would bog out, but get it JUST right and she would boogy.

The real problem with propping is that there's so much more to a prop than just the pitch, and all of them effect how the engine preforms. You have pitch, diameter, rake, cupping, prop material, type of blade, blade tip, number of blades, and of course, position of the blade in the water, just to name a few. (there are more) And each and every one of those items can and will effect the overall performance of the engine and the boat. :ski:

nope, its 4800-5000, just put a brand new 350 MPI in a boat today, its got the rpm written on the cover. Ferm is correct, that motor starts pulling power at 4900, I like to prop them out so they run 4800 at a light load, WOT

straight from mercurys website
4800-5200 rpm

https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/ca/...specifications

you running the oem cat equipted motor or the repower 300 MPI like this https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...a-sterndrives/

neither.
my motor is a mercruiser new motor, not a reman plus alpha series.
its a seacore mpi infront of a bravo drive

does it have cats?

no cats

cat motors like the one you linked, turn to 5200, cats hurt the power so they turned them harder to make the lost power up. Non cat motors turn to 5000 before they start pulling power.

I know mine said it could go to 5200, but it sure started laying down above 4900. Propped it to run at 4700 and it went about 9 mph quicker than it did at 5150.

The outboard manufacturers will advise that if the motor isn't propped to reach max rpm, the engine is not running properly, and damage possible.

Over propped, lower rpm.........engine is working too hard and strains.
Under propped, higher than recommended WOT rpm, and spinning too fast.

Some of you may disagree, but that's the general standard .