Repower with Suzuki 200? 20" Transom

[SkunkBoat]

I had a 2003 DF140. These were my numbers on an 84 cuddy, 25" transom, with a hard top and enclosure.

3 blade 14x20 Suzuki prop
Cruises 30 mph @ ~3.5mpg
Top speed ~36mph heavy ...~39 mph very light

I ran in the ocean where going faster than 30mph in a 2000 pound boat was not possible very often anyways. I loved that motor.
Personally, I think it was the perfect motor for the price and weight.

Now I have brand new twin DF200APs on my Grady265. They are huge compared to a DF140. They are awesome motors.

I don't think I would put 20" motors on anything unless it was a lake boat.
I would look at this as an oppurtunity to replace the transom to a 25". Get the piece of mind knowing the transom is good before putting a $20k 200hp motor on it.

btw, I hear that they are coming out with DF140APs with fly by wire, digital gauges.

[djdixon1995]

Thanks for the info and advice SkunkBoat. It may come to doing the transom work as you suggest. Also, maybe I should just reconsider the 140...your numbers are better than I expected. Any experience pulling skiers with that setup?

I have a teenager that weighs almost exactly the weight difference between the current engine and the dream engine. So an experimental launch this afternoon using him as walking ballast...I***8217;ll report back.

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by djdixon1995

Thanks for the info and advice SkunkBoat. It may come to doing the transom work as you suggest. Also, maybe I should just reconsider the 140...your numbers are better than I expected. Any experience pulling skiers with that setup?

I have a teenager that weighs almost exactly the weight difference between the current engine and the dream engine. So an experimental launch this afternoon using him as walking ballast...I***8217;ll report back.

Didn't pull skiers but did pull kneeboards and tubes. I think it will pull skiers no problem
Here is some tubing video to give you a sense.
https://youtu.be/7kq83TXK4Y0

[Giorgio]

What a great looking family and having a ton of FUN!!!!

[djdixon1995]

Looks like the 140 does the job nicely. I watched your transom videos as well...great stuff. Thanks!

[bgreene]

How about the 7 Marine 626 Hp outboard ?

[djdixon1995]

Well, I ended up going with a new Yamaha F200. It took a while because, as it turned out, the transom was a gonner. At some point, someone had removed the factory brass drain tube and slapped a threaded garbard drain plate on the outside. Sadly, they left the bare wood on the inside where the brass tube had been...so it rotted from the bottom up and the usual top down. The good news is that solved my 20” transom issue. So I have the yami installed on the new 25” transom and no jack plate required.

New performance question: I think I have it propped correctly with a stainless 14.25 x 19. I’m right at 50 mph at 6000 rpm trimmed way up. It cruises great at 40 mph/4000 rpm. However, I’m getting rough shifting and prop chatter at idle, very annoying. I’m told that an SDS prop is the answer but, naturally, they don’t come in 14.25 x 19. So, I’m thinking drop down to 18” pitch, or try a 13.75 x either 19 or 21. Anyone have thoughts/recommendations? Anyone running a similar rig. Btw its an ‘84 cuddy. Thanks!