Suzuki 140 or Suzuki 175

[agsmoke]

I have been looking for a used 20ft SeaCraft. I have found two that I like. Both boats are late 80's and both have bimini tops no T-top and no bracket. The only real difference in the two is one has a DF140 and the other has a DF175. From what I have found the 175 is about 60lbs heavier than the 140. Does anyone here have a 20 with a 175 zuke? If so, how does the boat run with the heavier motor. I have owned two 23 ft SeaCrafts in the past both of which I repowered with a single 225 Johnson from twin Merc 150's. I have very little experience with a 20. I would appreciate anyone's insight on the added weight.

[kmoose]

A good friend of mine has a 20 Seafari and it absolutely flies with a DF140. I can't imagine needing to go any bigger plus the extra weight.

[Dogbomb]

I have a 20' Seafari with a Zuke 140. It's plenty of motor for that hull, and I
wouldn't want anymore weight on the transom.
If the two motors weighed the same, I'd go with the 175, but I doubt the extra
weight is worth a few ponies.

[agsmoke]

Thanks for all of the replies. Both boats are equally nice, but the boat with the 175 has 500 less hours and appears to be unmolested. Both boats are the same price, well asking price. Do you think the additional 60lbs will make that big of a difference? From what I have read the 18' and the 20' are very sensitive to weight in the stern.

[uncleboo]

They are, but, most of them seem to have newer heavier power and folks adapt by shifting weight. Go with your heart and make it yours.

[DonV]

Ditto on Boo's comment!!! I know friends who have the 140 and others with the 175 and they all love them.

[McGillicuddy]

May not apply but regarding weight, in the last 3-5 years the 140 weight has dropped to around 400 lbs and the 175 is now about 500 lbs.

[FishStretcher]

Depends on some details but I can't run WOT with a 100 hp outboard on a 20 with a t top and 40 gallons of fuel unless it is pretty flat water. I removed a Yamaha 175 2 stroke to put on a Yamaha 100 hp 4 stroke to get the outboard under 400 lb. I will fly the boat off the tops of chop in buzzards bay at 3/4 throttle most days. The 20 is pretty light.

If I can ever kill the F100, I'll go with an ETEC 90 at low 300 lbs

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

175 is now about 500 lbs.

Gillie and fishstretcher are right! 140 zuke (410lbs) is about as heavy as you want to go.

25" suzuki 175hp weighs 529lbs mechanical controls, 531lbs Electronic controls.

The 20 seacraft was NOT designed for this kind of weight IMO.

The largest outboards when the 20 seacraft was designed weighed 275lbs.

http://www.moeslyseacraft.com/20-cc-seacraft.html

"The 20' Center Console was a designed in 1967 with the avid fisherman in mind. Wide open deck area, raised deck in the bow section, storage lockers and bait wells. Options of an 80hp or 125hp motors with cruising speeds of 35 and 40mph respectively. A fishing boat that could handle the rough ocean waters."

[Vezo, Part II]

My little brother has an '88 18SF, from an old OMC 112, to a rebuilt OMC 150, and finally a Zuke 140 he runs full throttle A lot! Great motor but I like my two strokes on the transom. What is the weight of an E-tec 175 and shaft length? My '79 20 MA loves its '99 Johnson carbed 175. And so does the fuel station.

Pick your battles...
Cheers

Vezo, Part II