140 Suzuki 4-stroke on SeaCraft 20?

[Mark]

Hello all, I'm curious if anyone out there has any experience with a Suzuki 140 4-stroke on a SeaCraft 20? I'll be repowering in the near future and am intrigued by this option. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Email me directly if you like: mark@markpix.com

[PressureDrop]

somewhere in the general forum i believe, trayder posted about this engine. he said he had used it on a boat of similar weight and was absolutely thrilled, and if i recall correctly, he said he was gonna power his 20 with one of them, try talking to him about it!

Ben

[Trayder]

I ordered one I do not have the boat ready yet but there will be a Suzi 140 4stroke on the stern when i am done, I figured buying the engine would boost my motivations to finish the project [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I am also putting on the SeaMark bracket.

There is another member who powered there 18 with a 140, check the boards and it should show up.

[bmaj319]

I have the 18 footer with the DF 140...so far I'm real happy with it. It's got about 30 hours on it now, and it purrs like a kitten. I been trying different props, looking for the best blend of hole shot/top speed/WOT in the approved power band. Last evening clocked 43.8 mph by GPS with a S/S 14x20, and it jumped up pretty good too.

Fuel economy seems really great, although I haven't yet measured it carefully. Waiting for a chance to run some distance outside at cruise...I'll post the results when I do.

I've yet to talk to a Suzuki OWNER who has a beef with the four stroke 115 or 140. They are new of course, and there's no wealth of experience to draw on, so I understand some of the sceptical attitudes of some, especially in light of reported problems with FICHT's, Opti's and HPDI's.

So I guess time will tell if it's a great engine, but it's been everything I've wanted to date. The 20' SeaCraft is only a few hundred pounds heavier than my 18 according to the specs, so I'd expect roughly similar results.

Good Luck!

[BacDoc]

I'm running a Honda 130 on my 20'. Performance is exceptional - gets out of the hole quickly and does about 40mph WOT on the GPS. Once you go 4-stroke you'll never go back, lack of noise and smell as well as smooth trolling and idling adds a new dimension to the fishing experience. Running at cruise (25-30), I notice the best fuel economy and my 45 gal tank seems to last about 40% longer than my previous Merc 150 2-stroke on the same boat.

The only drawback of the 4-stroke is the weight and with 2 anglers in the stern and a full baitwell you get wet feet.

I have not heard any thing negative about any of the newer 4-strokes only raves about quiet efficient performance. The 140 Suzuki would be an excellent choice for your 20', good luck !

[PressureDrop]

doc - ive been considering a honda 130 for mine but have been discouraged by the weight, espically since i have an aluminum bracket, does it makethe boat at all stern heavy?!

[BacDoc]

Ben,

Don't even think about it - I've done some extensive research and it is necessary to use a floatation bracket (like the Armstrong/Potter/Stainless Marine). The Suzuki is a lighter motor but I still think you would need a floatation unit. Also 25" or longer shaft is necessary for most applications.
If you are considering repower I would do anything necessary to accomodate a 4-stroke, the lack of noise and smell will amaze you. I've heard the Suzuki is a great motor and from personal experience the Honda 130 is awesome. You never hear anything bad about Honda and all they build are 4-strokes.

[Briguy]

BMAJ,
Did you take my advice and try an ALUMINUM 14x21? Believe it or not, Suzuki's seem to run better and faster with the aluminum. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] One more tip, Mount your Suzi as high as you can. If you take a really hard turn at cruise speed and you don't blow out, you are mounted too low. Your boat should do 45mph at about 6k rpm. I have 2 115's on my 23 cc. I tried 14x22 SS props and ran faster top and mid with 14x23 aluminum(5900 rpm's). No problems after 1 year and alot of hours 40+ miles from shore.

Brian

[bmaj319]

Hey there Capt. Brian,

My dealer didn't have an aluminum 14x20 in stock. The 14x20 s/s pushes the boat 43.8 mph @ 5800 rpm in smooth water, with me, the dog and 50 gallons of gas. I'll keep my eyes open for an aluminum 14x20 and pass on the differences.

BTW, Trayder and Mark, while putting mine in I met a guy pulling his '69 20 footer with a DF 140 on it out of the water yesterday...only six hours on the motor, but he was grinning ear to ear. No performance numbers to quote, but he was one happy guy! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Briguy]

BMAJ,
Try a 14x21. Always go up an inch on an aluminum because the blades bend slightly. That's why I tried 14x22 Stainless on my boat and finally settled on 14x23 aluminum's. Better top end and better cruise with the identical rpm's at max. The hole shot was the same.