[SteveH]

I was thinking the same thing Datngrizz was thinking. if you go over the max horsepower rating, you run into insurance coverage issues. Plus, as noted on many threads over the last three or four years I have frequented this site, the 20 footers seem to be a little stern heavy and can have some drainage issues (at the scuppers) if you have have too much weight in the stern. My dad and I had a 20 ft MA for about twenty years. Fantastic boat, but it is not a flawless vessel, but what vessel is. We had a 1978 150 merc and subsequently a 1986 175 merc. It absolutely screamed with the 175, and it was not a very heavy engine compared to the newer four strokes. The newer two stroke 150s are probably as strong or stronger than the 1986 175 we had. IMHO, the e-tec 150 would seem to be good match for the 20 footer. It is relatively light and strong. If you get a bracket, like the one HERMCO builds you would probably have more options. You could also consider "ball scuppers"; never have I used them but I have heard good things.