performance on my 20 footer

[Roland Rodriguez]

I have a redone 20 footer, she looks and rides great. I purchased it with a 1990 Johnson 225 but was disapointed with the 45mph top end. I'm running a 22 pitch prop and playing with the engine height with the help of my jack plate. My 225 has about 100 lbs in each hole. I'm considering repowering but can use any and all comments.

[John R]

A 225 on a 20 doing 45? Yep, sounds a little slow - I would have thought you'd need wings... I think some are getting close to that with 140's. What year is the boat, what kind of load, layout of gear, that sort (not that I can help you but that's some of what others will ask)...

[SEAFARI]

ROLAND,
THAT WOULD BE THE CORRECT SPEED FOR A 23' HULL. I
AM RUNNING A 200 YAM PRO-V ON A 20' HULL AND GETTING 55 MPH TURNING A 21" PRO SERIES PROP AT
5700-5800 RPM. IF YOUR ONLY GETTING 45 MPH WITH
THAT PROP YOUR TURNING ONLY ABOUT 4500 RPM. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR MOTOR IS LOOSING 1200 RPM? YOU
MIGHT WANT TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK THE MOTOR OUT.
WHAT YEAR IS YOUR BOAT? AND HOW DOES IT SIT IN THE STERN WITH THAT 225?

CHRIS

[Roland Rodriguez]

Thanks for the help Chris/John. I was able to hit 49.6mph with nothing less then lowering the engine about 2 inches with the help of my jackplate. Seems I had the engine sitting a bit too high and she was slurping air at the prop and thus slipping. I am leaning toward placing a bracket on the boat as I noticed she squats low at the rear. My thought process here is that with about 300lbs of lift she would not only plane easier (which isnt a problem currently) but she should lift the transom on plane and therefore lessen the wet surface footprint. I have been reading the forum on bracketing. What are your thoughts to a bracket on the 20 footer? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[whatnext]

I have a 1974 23footer with a 1988 225 evinrude a 17 pitch prop and top speed is 51mph