200 ponies on a 20sf
 

so how many of us are running 200 or larger engines? i just cant imagine my ride with anything smaller than a 175. but i see alot of people with much smaller engines. having so much power is addictive! cant see it any other way.

Hugo - The boat is a LOT of fun with a big motor, but when it get rough and sea get over 2ft you have to slow down to 18 - 22mph or you'll get airborne in a 20. In those cases you will benefit from having a smaller lighter engine . . . the 20 handles much better with a light weight power plant (also the deck drains better too).

agreed on both counts! the only problem with having a boat is only having one!

I know exactly what bigshrimpin means when he says getting airborn and I only got a 150. My last trip out I got a little too friendly with the throttle in 3-4's and I had to change my shorts after got some serious air one time. Felt like I was back on my jetski

Nothing wrong with a little air; The SeaCraft hull provides the smooothest landing possible. I think I even read a post a long time ago about how to jump of the back of a swell to get on plane..

i think the 150 is a perfect fit for a 20. had a merc 150 on our 89' and I have a rude 150 on my 73. Great match.

There is some serious knowledge here.

Sometimes folks chooose to go out when it is big. Smalllll boats.

Chuck and Bones.

The 23 is a legend.

The 21 is the rock.

I can only imagine what the 27 is like.

Any 30 ft. Moesly`s out there?

Cheers.
GFS

this - not to say I don't have a 200 but its hardly needed and actually I have more trouble going slow.

I will say though that I just raised the engine a hole and it seems to actually be willing to ride slower than before. Before it had a lugging sound at 3200 and under which is gone? I now got down to 21 at 2800/2900 and it sounded happy - before under 3400@26/27 it didn't - check the engine height

The reason I say you don't need the HP is my cruise with the engine up with a very aggresive stilletto prop is 29+ 3400 and 34@3800, few times you can run at that comfortably. Raising the motor increased all cruising speed 2+ mph - top end 3+

yes I am amazed - can't wait to do a WOT in saltwater with chop - the other numbers were in a lake, but 52 in a lake with a fishin boat and a T top ain't shamby - just say'in

yes I am an x boat racer

You were only doing 52 in the ditch?
ESD your 20 looked great making the fly-by. It is a nice rig and it catches fish too. What more could you want?

I don't have a Seacraft but the same holds true for any center console T-top fishing rig IMO. A 150 might do, but the extra ponies out back can come in handy on occasion. The extra cruising speed on flat water is what I like. Attachment 1806

Big Shrimpin will definitely recognize the hull.

Hey RR, yep that was it at that moment, it may run better actually with some water in the baitwell but a chop would help more. I have alot of weight up front with 2 batteries a 27 and 29 under the very front of the console, so Susan moving back even makes a huge difference. The cruise speed was up this weekend in gulf so my guess getting it broken loose will add a bit, just wasn't in the racer mode this weekend.

Didn't say I didn't like the extra pony's LOL, love them, but a 150 would also work for most people that aren't quite as gearheaded.

I could see one of the small block 200 Etecs on the back of my 18. Same weight as the 150, so why not have 50 extra ponies when the need arises.

I could see one of the small block 200 Etecs on the back of my 18. Same weight as the 150, so why not have 50 extra ponies when the need arises. Its the weight thats the issue...

I have to admit that I rather enjoy the 200 on my 20'. The boat's name says it all "Reel Rush". But I have to say that going over 50 I need to use the tabs, keeps it in the water.
As far as bigger seas, the tabs work great keeping the bow down.
I added a bracket last year and am amazed at the improvement.

Only fitting that my first post over here was on a HP ralated post.

Gearhead I am ESD. Your pass looked faster, there was a lot of boat out of the water. The Seacraft really rises up nice with the extra speed. Nice job.

GPS is probably wrong, wish I could have got a photo of it actually

that Stilletto prop is a horse, since I raised it I came back in a very very crappy Tampa Bay tonight at under 18-20 never would do that before - and it danced over everything, no spray except twice and not me LOL

"The GPS was wrong." That is darn right funny. Except for a few anomolies, they are pretty darn close 99.999% of the time. They are the heaviest instrument ever created by man. :eek::D
52 mph is hauling the mail. Especially standing up in a center console.

All around performance should not be determined solely by top speed. Speed is fun: I've had a 200hp and a 150hp on a 20' seacraft and a 150hp on an 18' and have to respectfully disagree with most of these posts. I now run a 90hp on an 18' and wouldn't go back to a bigger motor. Cruising down a flat calm intracoastal at 30+mph is nice but I spend most of my time in the ocean and usually have to slow down to under 25mph. The hull just performs better with less weight on the transom.

Not sure anyone did, but I increased my cruise by 2mph, top end by 4 and my low end after last night droppped to 18/20 from 22/23 just by raising the motor - sounds like all systems go. The SeaCraft hull is not a semi-displacement, its a racing hull by nature, yes it will run with any power but they all like HP to perform at their best, their best being up on the high deadrise part of the hull at whatever speed.

Which means it needs HP. If you plow with them you are back running the lower deadrise at the outside of the hull, and defeating the purpose of the VDH - just say'in

My other prop did that, and it was wet and pounded, never got up on top - different boat with the Stlletto, entirely