115 eTec on 20CC

[Fr. Frank]

The 115 eTec will push it okay. No speed demon, though. But I really recommend more horsepower. Here's why:

I had a 1973 120 hp Chrysler on the back of my current 1972 20' Seafari when I bought it. It planed easily, and cruised at 23-24 mph, and topped out at 27-28 mph. It was also very dependable.

But in December 2001, I was caught by a VERY violent winter squall in the Gulf of Mexico that, because I couldn't make better than 28 mph, I just couldn't outrun it coming in from 20 miles offshore. I later figured that if I could have maintained just 34-35 mph when I first headed in, I could have outrun that squall, instead of having to turn to just 3 miles offshore to avoid foundering, and spending the next 3+ hours pointing up into 30-45 kt winds and 6'-9'seas, all with my wife and two small children aboard.

So the next week, I made arrangements to buy a remanufactured Merc 150, which eventually gave me a cruise of 35-38 mph, and a top speed of 46-47 fully loaded. (And I got better economy, too!)

I also had a 20' MA with a 115 Mercury "Tower of Power" back in the early 80's, which cruised in the mid 20's and I would guess topped out between 30-32 mph. Needed the trim tabs to plane quickly, though. I later put a '78 175 hp Merc on it.

It's like this: Marine HORSEPOWER is like a firearm. It's better to have it and never need it, than need it and not have it.

My 2 cents worth.