Horse Power

[Blue_Runner]

Ok folks, I got a serious question here. I just bought a vintage 1976 V20 that has had the transom completely redone. The previous owner had the work done, then he bought a set of twin counter-rotating 140hp 1989 model Johnson outboards to hang on the back.

The motors are not yet hooked up, just hanging there.

My question is - is this too much??? I've never seen more than twin 115 outboards on the V20.

Thanks,
BR

[Blue_Runner]

By the way...it is not a full transom so there is no bracket to provide additional floatation :-[

Also, no trim tabs.

Both motors ar 25", so if I go back to a single setup with one motor, I think I'll need a jack plate won't I? It seems like the jack plate would make it harder to hook up the steering arm due to a 6" setback? Is that the case?

Also, one final question - how fast do you think this baby will run with a single 1989 140hp ob?

[reelapeelin]

If it were my boat, I'd get what I could for the twins and put it toward a single 150 or better 175...the 140s being a counter rotating pair, it shouldn't be too hard to find a good home, provided they're in good shape...transom, if previous owner put it back like factory, should take a 20" shaft motor...

[Brian_M]

Is this the one that was on Ebay last week???

Welcome, BlueRunner :)
Yes, I think twin 140’s are too much for that boat.
Assuming the hull is structurally sound (?), I don’t think the coast guard rated it for that much horsepower, then or now. Maybe they allow for more hp for twins than a single motor - best check that out. Could be an insurance/liability issue.
Also, the weight of twin 140’s may put your scuppers underwater when the boat is at rest. I don’t know if twin 115s will save you much weight.
I love the idea of twins on a V20, especially if you are running offshore. Are you?
Since you already have the boat, the first thing you need to do is see if the boat will plane off with just one engine running at a time. Twins become a disadvantage if you cannot plane on one. The surviving engine will burn too much fuel on a long run back to port. You would be better off with one big motor and a 9.9 hp kicker to bring you home just in case.
My V21 takes a 25 inch shaft. The cavitation plate on the motor should be about an inch below the running bottom in front of the lower unit. Twins can go a little deeper because the boat will rock side to side in substantial seas. You must keep the water intake submerged, but too deep will cause excess drag.
Good luck and enjoy your V20!

[Blue_Runner]

Answering the questions first:

1) Yes, this is the one on eBay last week.
2) I would like to run offshore, but I don't know how likely that would be with only 60 gallons of gas. (2x30)

The guy happens to be someone I know (but not well at all). The boat was 1 mile from my house and I found it on eBay - go figure.

I went and took a look at it. The floor is completely solid but in need of cosmetic work. Transom work looked great - no spring whatsoever even with the twins hangin on.

Best I can tell, this boat needs:

1) Sell two 140hp Johnsons and buy a 175hp.
2) Sand and paint the outer hull - although it looks pretty darn good like it is.
3) Something needs to be done to the floor. Like I said, floor is strong but tired looking and has a hairline crack or two - what should I do to make the floor look better?

Nobody said yeah or nay on the jack plate idea - is it a bad idea to use a jackplate to hang a 25" shaft ob on a 20" transom? Or do you even need to?

Thanks for your great input! Ya'll are the real deal. That was fast!!!

Thanks,
BR

[chumbucket]

As much as I would be intrigued at seeing how that boat would handle and what kind of speed could be obtained (probably in the mid 50's), I would agree with the above statements. They're gonna burn a lot of gas too. I would go with a minimum of 150 hp but if you have a need for speed, go with 200 - 225hp. Do it now before you invest a lot of time into the twins.

[Blue_Runner]

If I could get at least 30mph out of the 140 johnson I'd be happy. Your thoughts on that please?

God its nice to have a whole website full of expert advice dedicated to my own little world ;D

[macojoe]

I have a 76 cuddy and I have a single 175 on a bracket. I crusie at 30 and I can get near 40 if I trim it right but that is WOT and i perferr to not run like that all the time.

Good Luck

[garbubba]

There is a thread around here about your boat a couple of the concerns were:

As somebody already said here the scuppers are going to be low, I expect it will be wet all the time.

Where could you put twin controls was another, I have no idea.

I've seen v-20's with a 225 on it, mine has a 200 & will go 46mph (GPS).

I think you are mistaken about the fuel tanks too, other here would know better but I think it's 2-20 gallon saddle tanks.

I hope you got a good deal & I'd love to see how fast it will go but before I put much $$ & time into it I'd do the following:

Check the compression on those outboards.

Check the lower units for tolerances - counter rotating lower units are high $$.

Check the transom, that's a heck of a lot of stress with 280 HP.

Put it in the water, I'm afraid it may be pretty wet.

Sorry to be so negative, maybe it's my mood today. Good luck with your project.

Doug