Rogue wave on the sea of life

[northernmainev20]

Well, I took my '88 V-20 on its maiden voyage after having the 3.0 seadrive looked at. Love the hull. Motor purred like a kitten, then *&%%$(^(*&^^&$##%%. Looks like I'll have to repower sooner than expected. Fried the #6 cylinder 15 minutes into the voyage.

After a short memorial service dockside (aka cursing and swearing) I've decided to hang a bracket and repower. Looking at a 2006 E-Tec 225. Found one with 100 hours for $12 large

Still trying to get pictures of my boat posted oops, I guess that would be "project boat" now.

Suggestions on mounting options would be appreciated. I've looked at Gill, and Armstrong brackets so far. I'll have to go through some of the old posts.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Here's another one to look at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...;rd=1&rd=1

thats a tuff break. but not to hard to fix if you got some cash! look into stainless marine. they have a very strong reputation in the bracket buisness. and watch ebay also. might save urself some dough. good luck.

[spareparts]

I've got a picture some where of a Sea Drive bracket with a late model "Eagle Series" 200 Johnson on it. Not sure what it would take to mount a later model Johnrude product where the seadrive engine was, but it would eliiminate the need for a bracket, and you could keep the current steering

[willy]

Mainer a few suggestions and some will disagree but if I had to do it over this is what I think.
1. Do not, I repeat do not put a heavy motor on the back of a V20 with a bracket. 150-175 max and the lightest engine you can get.
2. If you get a bracket make sure it is the kind (whatever brand there are at least three good ones out there and well made) that has flotation built in to counterbalance the weight further back on the boat.
3. Get a full width bracket, the kind with the sides like MJ's, more functional and will let you stand back further to pull line or debris off the prop etc, also get the folding ladder with it.
4. Get the shortest one that will let you fully tilt your engine out of the water at rest and no farther.

In reference to #1 this is my thinking, I have been on two V20's that were otherwise sound boats that had a bracket and a heavy V6 motor, they all dunked their engines in a heavy chop on a drift or when coming off plane even. They also tend to porpoise in certain sea conditions and put a lot of stress on a transom. If you tow or trailer your V even more so and it is hard to rig an effective transom saver for them.
Another little tid bit. I had a 115 4 cylinder Johnson on my V with a thirty inch set back bracket. That puppy got 35-37 MPH with a full tank of gas and three guys along with all fishing coolers etc. and a bimini with front curtain. It was an absolutely perfectly balanced boat on the water and never dunked the engine in any condition or drifts thru the rips. The bracket on these boats adds excellent performance boosts and putting a heavier than needed motor on it won't due a lot for you.
In my opinion a 150 two stroke like the ETEC would be ideal. Performance will be in the mid 40's loaded up. The gain beyond that will be minimal with a lot of trade off's, none good.

[macojoe]

I agree with willy, there is no reason for a huge motor!!

mac attack just repowered with a E Tec 150 and is getting 43 mph!!
And his is a cuddy, a CC will need less power and ride much better the the cuddy!

You never need to go that fast in the first place and even that I like this hull there are going to be few days that you can go WOT!!

And lets think Fuel, 150 will sip much better then a 225! Its $3.04 here right now and I for one will be going much slower this year to save fuel!!

Yes a closed bracket will give you the floation you need with the extra 400+ pounds back there.

And last $12,000 for a used Etec?? You can get a brand new 150 for that!!

You need to do a little more research before you pull the trigger!! Ask all you need here, between all of us here we have more expertest thwen any boat yard you will go to!

we have 2 others here with e tec also, I think in all we have a 150, 175, and a 200 some were??

MacAttck has the 150
Lumber has the 175
?? on who has the 200

Ask these guys they are just getting them on the water right now!

Good Luck!

Good Luck and ask away!!

[macojoe]

Check this link and the video that goews with it!! A must see for someone that wants a E tec!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/...num=1181525491

[chumbucket]

Originally Posted by macojoe

Its $3.04 here right now and I for one will be going much slower this year to save fuel!!

[macojoe]

80's coming this week!! And you going to get a slaming if you keep that up!! :-/

[northernmainev20]

Thats why I love this site. You guys are a wealth of information. If the 150's will give me that kind of numbers, forget the larger. And maco, you can rest assured, I'll definately have questons. :)