whats the smallest outboard you would put on a v20

[jamesbalog]

may be buying one shortly, whats the least amount of hp you would put on a center console v20?

[smokeonthewater]

Mine runs out great with my '75 merc 115.... It is generally accepted here that 90 is the smallest that will work BUT a modern 90 SHOULD have the same power to the prop as my old 115 soooo you MIGHT be able to get by with a little less in a modern 2 stroke.... A 4 stroke would need to be a little bigger due to weight.
Your use will also affect this... If you generally go out with 2 huge coolers full of ice and 4 guys n gear you will have much different results than if you boat solo with minimal gear.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

Mine runs out great with my '75 merc 115.... It is generally accepted here that 90 is the smallest that will work BUT a modern 90 SHOULD have the same power to the prop as my old 115 soooo you MIGHT be able to get by with a little less in a modern 2 stroke.... A 4 stroke would need to be a little bigger due to weight.
Your use will also affect this... If you generally go out with 2 huge coolers full of ice and 4 guys n gear you will have much different results than if you boat solo with minimal gear.

X2... what Smoke said. And I can tell you from first hand experience that a 65 HP engine will NOT get you up on plane.

[jamesbalog]

Thanks guys i appreciate it.

now the search begins

if anyone knows of a good deal on a 115-200 hp outboard with good compression let me know.

cheaper the better so probably carbed

[steplift20]

115 is the smallest I would go ,I have a 150 hanging off mine even if a 90 would be ok I would go no smaller than a 115 that's just my opinion. I also think that the plate mounted on the boat says that too

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by steplift20

115 is the smallest I would go ,I have a 150 hanging off mine even if a 90 would be ok I would go no smaller than a 115 that's just my opinion. I also think that the plate mounted on the boat says that too

A 90 will do it. And considering WELLCRAFT sold them with 90's from the factory, I would say it is a safe bet. The old 1.6L SEA-DRIVE was the same powerhead as a 90HP propshaft rated engine. It was rated at 115HP at the flywheel, but in 85 when propshaft ratings came out it became a 90HP. My 1.6L SEA-DRIVE was no powerhouse, but it did plane out my cuddy with power to spare(but not much). Topped out around 24 or so IIRC, and cruised about 18-20. The downside was it was a FUEL HOG! Because the engine was loaded so hard, it GULPED fuel.