Why is 200 hp a bit much for Vs ?

[RidgeRunner]

I agree with Reel too.
Draglink, I found that to get the bow to fly setback and prop choice tends to help. Trying to be a voice of reason here. I see your V-max and raise you a 300xs. Just not sure how the old girl will react.. Still playing with it.(and the boat too) BGREEN has created a monster, they were never designed to go real fast. Nobody has come forth to say they found the speed at which the boat becomes unstable/unsafe.
BTW- with that crew you had aboard last weekend, it ain't gonna go too fast, nor get the bow to fly without some serious hp. Any captain worth his salt would trade speed for some PYT with glow sticks all day long.

[bgreene]

Hum.........for maximum " realistic" speed - meaning engine that's not too heavy........
I'd agree with the small block etec 200 hp.......

I'd also suggest an Optimax 225, prop'd and trimmed just right may push a good V 20/21 to 55-60mph light load.

That's nice speed because when it's truly flat, you could " cruise" at 40 - 45mph.

Nice.

[Genie Aye]

Originally Posted by bgreene

Hum.........for maximum " realistic" speed - meaning engine that's not too heavy........
I'd agree with the small block etec 200 hp.......

I'd also suggest an Optimax 225, prop'd and trimmed just right may push a good V 20/21 to 55-60mph light load.

That's nice speed because when it's truly flat, you could " cruise" at 40 - 45mph.

Nice.

The Optimax is not going to give you 55 to 60mph---besides--you do not want this boat that fast--When I had mine at max around 53 fully trimmed out--it is getting scarey--40 to 45 is real comfy.
The Big 200ho E-Tec is actually 218 at the prop--so a 225 will not do it--LOL.

The reason I said the 175HP E-Tec instead of the 200 Small E-tec--I do not like being at the top of the HP range for any motor. That is why I have the Big 200HO E-Tec.

[reelapeelin]

Ridge...aboard your CC w/250 HP I never felt any squirrelyness to the ride at all...I don't really know if you were WOT or what top speed we were runnin, but I know it was FAST...VERY fast...felt stable to me...

Genie, I hear what you mean about being at the top HP range for a given motor...and maybe I am over confident about BRP's engineering capabilities, but I would hang a smallblock 200 Etec on a boat in a heartbeat...I'm pretty sure they wouldn't shoot themselves by going to market w/a fly-apart motor that hasn't been tested extensively...OMC in past days would; they proved that w/the early FICHT and where'd that get 'em...Bombardier has better sense...

[draglink]

I have a good friend with a '74 center console V that he totally rebuilt with composite stringers, floor and transom...she is a lot lighter now. He went with the E-Tech 200SB. He easily sees 55+ and at cruising speed she almost makes fuel!

Mine at 53 was very comfortable, wasnt squirrely at all

She really is nice cruising at 40, but usually keep her around 35-37 range to save a little fuel and keep my crew happy

[RidgeRunner]

Never wide open on our trips Reel. Besides, it won't achieve breakneck speed with the 23P prop until you lighten the load. Heavy load I see mid 50's Summer prop is a 21p Lightning that is close to the Mirage prop. Better mileage and tops out in the high 50's but is a better all round prop for fishing and cruising with a little more snap out of the hole. The 225 Optimax is pretty strong Genie Aye, I have a friend that replaced his twin 250's EFI with twin Optimax 225's with the same lower unit gears and he ran out of prop. I am not disputing the prowess of the 200 HO, I would take that in a heartbeat. Perhaps the difference lies in the center console versus cuddy on MPH?
Porpoise is non existent with normal trim angles, even with 30" setback. And I think the 250 is pushing 500 lbs.

[Genie Aye]

There is no question that the 225Optimax is strong--the Optimax series fro Mercury is probably one of the best they have ever built and strong---What is was after was 218 vs 225hp is not enough to make that speed difference.

Maybe it is just the way my V-20 is set up and the water is was on---It was a bit on the rough side--2 to 3 foot boat chop. I have had here opened up at just over 53mph on GPS on smooth water and no stability issue's but I my self would not run here around all the time at that speed. BRP is pretty good on the making sure they do not blow up--but--I ride their Snowmobiles as well and have watched them use the consumer for their testing center--I can say that my motor has been great other than the injector issue's--apparently BRP had issues with soldering joints inside the injectors in the 07 models---but am very happy with their(BRP) resilute way of handleing the issue---they have replaced all of my injectors at NO cost!!! That is coverage that makes you feel good for sure.

And yes--I have alot on my boat---Downrigger weights (60lbs+) fishing gear, emergency equipment, rigging, multiple anchors, Head, etc.

[Skools Out]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

Never wide open on our trips Reel. Besides, it won't achieve breakneck speed with the 23P prop until you lighten the load. Heavy load I see mid 50's Summer prop is a 21p Lightning that is close to the Mirage prop. Better mileage and tops out in the high 50's but is a better all round prop for fishing and cruising with a little more snap out of the hole. The 225 Optimax is pretty strong Genie Aye, I have a friend that replaced his twin 250's EFI with twin Optimax 225's with the same lower unit gears and he ran out of prop. I am not disputing the prowess of the 200 HO, I would take that in a heartbeat. Perhaps the difference lies in the center console versus cuddy on MPH?
Porpoise is non existent with normal trim angles, even with 30" setback. And I think the 250 is pushing 500 lbs.

your prop info makes no since, it's totally backwards, a higher pitch prop adds speed and hurts bottom end take off so your 23 pitch should go faster than your 21.

[Fitz]

I think 200hp is a really good match for the V20 hull. My 1975 hull is rated for 230hp (twin 115s in the day), and I find that 200 gives it ample power under any circumstances. It planes effortlessly and economically at 3,200 rpms, even with a good load. Unless the engine you're considering is very heavy, I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 200.

I have a 1989 Evinrude 200XP that weighs 450lbs. I run a 14.5 x 18 stainless prop. When I first bought the boat I experimented with some other props, but I settled on this one and have never run anything else. I use the boat for a wide range of activities – cruising, skiing, tubing, and inshore and offshore fishing, and I regularly carry several people and a lot of gear. The 14.5 x 18 prop doesn't give me the fastest speed or best mileage, but I'm more interested in all-around performance. I can always run at least 47mph even with a full load, and I can always run in the specified 5,000 - 6,000 max rpm range for my engine. That combination also provides immediate response and superb torque whenever I have to hammer it to get through a nasty inlet.

If my engine ever dies I'm going to repower with a 200 small block Etec. It has a little less displacement, but it's very close in weight to what I'm currently running and from everything I've read the difference will be negligible. That said, I do hope I get many more years out of my sometimes thirsty but otherwise very reliable and powerful engine.