20SF 130 or 150hpdi ?

[Fr. Frank]

The extra weight of the 150 will not allow the boat to self bail. You WILL stand in water with that setup.

[rcnight]

I have a 150 Evinrude on my 20SF. I cross the drainage lines & it keeps much of the water out.

[jwclbi]

My 225 efi Merc weighs in at 475 lbs and my 20 sf still self bails.

[lost2a6]

I had a 20 Sceptre with a carbed 200 Yamaha on a jack plate and it would self bail fine also.

[Basspond]

I have a 20 with a 150 ox66 (precursor to the HPDI) and it self bails.

With that being said, it self bails for a couple of reasons:

1. Transom raised to 25"
2. Scuppers re-routed to go out the transom
3. 75gal fuel tank moved farther forward under the deck to balance the boat out (PRIMARY REASON)

[Fr. Frank]

My 20' Seafari had a Merc XR4 150, at 370lbs, and would self-bail with no one on the boat. Step on board, and water came up on the deck. Currently has a Merc Opti 90 hp at 375 lbs, ditto. I have drain plugs in the deck drains which I remove once underway, and replace before coming to rest. Unless I'm alone, in which case my shoes just get wet.

At rest, drains open, with me standing in front of the motor well, I have about 1/2" to 3/4" of water on the deck.

FTR, when I had twin V6 150 Johnson motors on the marina's '77 23' CC in 1983, it sat with about 3-4" of water on the deck.

[fishhuntNC]

My 20 has a 150 yamaha fourstroke on it and it still self bails

[jwclbi]

I will say if I get in the back of the boat to open a hatch to check batt. or bilge pump the drain on that side will fill slightly but nothing on the deck. Two people back there while not moving now thats another story. And when people see water coming in and on the deck I just tell them "All boats are sinking, some just faster than others!!" Non boaters look at you kinda funny when you say that, boaters just laugh and keep drinking beers. I would get the 150hpdi, a friend has one and its a great engine. Just my opinion

My 20SF with a saltwater 150 ETEC (433 lbs) I use plugs in my drains all the time. If I have to wash down some blood or fish slime, I bucket it in, pull the drains, and keep the boat in motion. Flows right out - them I plug them back up. Honestly, I have gone many all day trips and never pulled them. If I don't have them in, I too will have an inch or so of seawater on the aft deck.

[workinpr0gress]

Honestly, I have gone many all day trips and never pulled them. If I don't have them in, I too will have an inch or so of seawater on the aft deck.

That is what mine used to do nearly empty on fuel (<10 gals. approx.). I moved the battery under the console and added another to make it dual. I put them under the seat hatch in the console. Then I put a big old length of anchor chain in the locker under my anchor line. It's not bad at all, no worse than acceptible or the other couple 20's I go on from time to time and both have a light @400 6 cyl. It can be a PITA with almost any smaller boat that used thru bottom scuppers especially but how else would baby crabs climb in and chill out. It's fine because next year I am gonna put a schraeder valve on my bracket and fill it with 50lbs. of helium...j/k