Engine max weight on 23'

[SeacraftErik]

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

If it's an '88, the maximum recommended HP was 400 hp. There is no legal maximum, as the hull is over 20' long. The heaviest single motor at that time was the 300HP PXCC V8 Evinrude Johnson at 580 lbs.

Twin '88 200 hp STLCC V6 Johnsons would have been the heaviest max recommended HP setup, weighing in at a total of 910 lbs of motors.

The 23' SF hull as modified in 1974 was designed for a max twin OB weight of just 600 lbs which was would have been twin 300 lb Johnson 135 hp outboards. (The 1971-74 Merc 1500 150hp inline 6 "Tower of Power" weighed only 275 lbs).

However, the hull was available back in '74 with a placarded max HP rating of 500 hp, which meant that it was rated for TRIPLE outboards of the highest HP available.

The hull design was obviously strong enough to carry them, and we once re-powered a '73 SF from triple 150 hp Mercury outboards which weighed 825 lbs together, to new twin '84 Johnson 235's which weighed about 800 lbs. (two of the 3 Mercs had one or more blown cylinders) The boat would NOT stay on plane below about 18 mph with the twin 235's without using the trim tabs.

Originally rigged with triple motors by Frank Brown's Marine, that boat is still the only non-racing SeaCraft I have ever seen with triple OB motors.

Really useful information to have. Thank you!