Re powering.......again hows a 200hp on v20 do?

[gotomgo]

ok 5th engine and 4 time repowering this season(crappy craigslist engines with secret problems etc..)everybody was right about the 125 merc saltwater being too small. it does work but i have to push it too hard etc.... so have benn mainly going very slow its reliable etc etc...my plan was to re power next year with a bigger engine. its a 78 center console had a 150 black max on it .i came across agreat deal on a 200hp merc for it.its guarenteed etc...i couldnt pass it up.has a nice 4 blade stain less prop on it(dont know size currently)im super excited to see what this boat will do with a 200hp on it.i have the old prop off the 150 plus my buddy has a bunch of stainless racing props cleavers etc from his older daysi understand the right prop is everything but with the right prop how fast do you think she will go?i know the fuel bill will be ridiuclous

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by gotomgo

ok 5th engine and 4 time re-powering this season(crappy craigslist engines with secret problems etc..)everybody was right about the 125 merc saltwater being too small. it does work but i have to push it too hard etc.... so have been mainly going very slow its reliable etc etc...my plan was to re power next year with a bigger engine. its a 78 center console had a 150 black max on it .i came across a great deal on a 200hp merc for it. Its guaranteed etc...i couldn't pass it up.has a nice 4 blade stain less prop on it(dont know size currently)I'm super excited to see what this boat will do with a 200hp on it.i have the old prop off the 150 plus my buddy has a bunch of stainless racing props cleavers etc from his older days. I understand the right prop is everything but with the right prop how fast do you think she will go? I know the fuel bill will be ridiculous

It's not just the prop (Although they are one of the main factors) It's also the wind, current, waves, how much weight you have in the boat (gear, people, etc) temperature, humidity, pure gas VS Ethanol 10 gas, etc. Having just said that, all things being equal, on calm water with little weight you should be able to crack 50 mph on your GPS with no sweat.

[phatdaddy]

Fuel will be up to you, also depends on the model merc ur getting, carbed,EFI, DFI, Opti, ect. the 200 might do better at cruising speed than the 150.

[bgreene]

LOVE this topic of max hp on the V's !!

Yes, 150 hp great / fine / terrific …...Yes, 200 even more great / fine / terrific.

Some report over 50mph, but I get 46-48 depending.
Closer to 50 if bimini and curtains off, remove the loaded coolers in cuddy, and 1/4 tank fuel.

Would prefer if the V was rated for up to 300 hp !!!
Had my V transom re worked inside and out so likely much stronger than original factory.
Nice new Evinrude Etec G2 300 hp with fly by wire ………..yes sir, let's go if not illegal, and not so expensive !!!
Would likely run 60 mph with " squirrely top end" requiring careful trim and tab...…...with super fast 40-45 mph cruise speed all day long.

[Steplift 72']

Some of the old Mercury "Boathouse Bulletins" are still to be found on the internet. As I recall back in 83' they said their 150hp would push a light V-20 to 46mph and a loaded one to 42mph. The 200 made about 54mph light and something less than 50mph heavy. Keep in mind that on Lake X, their idea of heavy is probably half what a fisherman would call heavy. I found the Mercury Boathouse Bulletins to be accurate and good advice for setting up a boat whether it was a Merc or Johnson/Evinrude.

[Genie Aye]

I was at just over 53 before i started adding goodies, radar arch, radar, 3 antennas, stand up top, now around 46.
The new G2 issue is the weight, not hp. They are heavy, the 150 outweighs our G1 200HO.***128555;