Thanks everybody!

Pair of Jacks - You really understand the dilemma in repowering the 21 CC. Do you think the 200 ETEC would have made a significant difference. It is the same block as the 175 I think. What about the 225 with the bigger block (but you gain back the 100 pounds)?

I have a 2003 21' with a 200 Merc EFI. I sure wouldn't want any less power. I don't need to re-power right now but I certainly have thought about what I would go with when I do. I do know it will be the Max of 225 that it is rated for. I would probably go with a 225 Optimax or 225 Etec because I think four strokes would be too heavy. There is a charter captain with a 21' named Old Yeller that repowered with a Suzuki four stroke and seemed to be real happy. You may can google that and get some more info.

I repowered in 2005 with the etec 200, it's the big block type, not the HO, real happy with it, 550 hours so far, running with HD-50 oil.

E-tec
 

Sail Away- I have heard two different opinions on whether going with the 200 E-Tec vs. the 175 would have made a difference- both opinions came from Evinrude people- one said yes it would have made a noticeable difference and the other guy said no way it would have made much difference at all- so who do you believe? What I do know is that with the 200 Opti and the extra 100 lbs. my boat was very ass heavy- with my son and I both fishing in the stern I would get water up through the scuppers- now with the E-Tec, my waterline has risen about 2 full inches. Buying the 200 vs the 175 would have cost me about another $2k and moving up to the 225 even more, so money was a consideration too. Like I said, the engine is working harder than my 200 Opti for sure but I'm living with it- 30-32 kt. top end is enough for me- I rarely run that fast anyway as conditions usually don't allow it and I'm not a fan of holding on for dear life through pounding waves!