My V-20 performance

[chrisrub]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum. I inherited a 1985 V-20 (pics coming) with an OMC sea drive 1.6 liter outboard engine. It's all stock from what I can tell. I've been using the boat for about a year and have a few questions.

What performance should I expect with this hull/motor combination, as far as mpg, cruising and top end speed, etc?

From what I gather, I'm getting about 1 to 1.5mpg. To get the boat cruising on plane at a decent speed I have to have the rpms at 4500. WOT is 5000 rpms. Top speed I figure is around 25mph

I don't have money to put into a new motor, so are there any things I can do to maybe slightly improve my numbers?

Thanks!

[macojoe]

Sounds to me like she is propped wrong?? thats sounds alright for cruz speed but top end should be better then that, and my V with a 175 outboard was getting 2 1/2 mpg.
What is the prop you have on there?? Most run a 17 pitch, I use to run a 15x15 1/4 on mine, got out the hole fast but lost a bit on the top end.

[chrisrub]

I have to be honest I don't know much about props. The one that is on there came on the engine when my grandfather bought the boat from the original owner. It has never been replaced or worked on as far he and I know.

[macojoe]

There should be a number on it someplace, either on the prop or in the center were the nut is, find that and go from there

[cterrebonne]

yep right behind the nut and washer, you probabaly could see it without removing those items. it will say somthing to the effect of this 13 7/8 x 17 the last to digits are your pitch.

[THEFERMANATOR]

15 pitch stainless will be your best bet for that boat. You have the same basic combo as my V and I topped out close to 30, and cruised around 20-22 turning 4200-4400 RPM's. My max RPM's were 5300. Milage on that boat is actually not very good as it is underpowered pretty badly. That 115 is working it's tail off to push that boat. Mine burned 32 gallons in just over 2 hours of running, so 1.5 miles to the gallon is about all it will get. Unfortunately your best option is to repower as there isn't alot you can do to that 1.6L to make alot more HP. You could swap over to a bubble back exhaust and go to the bigger carbs, but it still would only get you a few more HP and use ALOT more fuel. At least you already have the right boat to start a bracket project with. Where are you located at?