[Fr. Frank]

I have seen everything from a single 70 hp Johnson, to a 250 hp Mercury on the back of a Seafari. I have rigged single 85's, twin 70's, and single 175 Loopers.

I used to run a Mercury XR4 on mine that put out about 190 hp on the hydro-dyno. Economy at cruise was 3.5 mpg or so, with cruise of 28-30 mph, and WOT of 53 mph.

I currently run an '06 90 Optimax (mfg date of 04/06), and I really like the 5.1 mpg economy at cruise, and the performance is adequate, cruising at 25-26 mph, with WOT of 34 mph.

I would ideally like to put a Hermco Bracket on my boat, with a single 200 hp Mercury Verado 4 cyl (518 lbs), or a single Etec 250(520 lbs).

I read a test which showed the 200 Verado 4 cyl. producing 219 hp on a dyno, the 250 6 cyl. Verado making 255, and the Etec making 248 hp. The Etec is considerably less $$.

There's an '89 Tracker SC 20' cc in this area that is running an aluminum full flotation bracket with an '08 30" 250 Etec turning a 22P PowerTech 3 bl, and he claims a top speed of 55-56 mph, best cruise of 30 mph at 4.3 mpg, and at 40 mph getting 4.0 mpg. If true, those are very good numbers. He said that with the BRP prop the motor came with, he could reach 60 mph, but only got 3.6 mpg at best.