Best engine for 20 Open

[jorgeinmiami]

What would be the best power setup for a 20 open with a t top?

I want some speed but like the economy with the gas prices today

Opinions please

[eggsuckindog]

175 to 200, a 150 still would work fine if you find a deal

[Fr. Frank]

175 to 200, a 150 still would work fine if you find a deal

I agree, and you can get some really good deals on 175's right now. One local boat mfg still has left-over 2006 175 motors, both Mercury Verado and Evinrude Etec.

One of the top execs was a parishioner at my previous church, and offered me a great deal on a new '06 20" 175 Verado for my Seafari back in May, (under $10K) but the 515 lb weight was too much for a 20" transom. My current 150 Mercury is only 390 lbs.

A very under-utilized resource for buying left-over last model year new motors is boat manufacturers. For instance, I know Proline still has a few left-over 250hp 2005 Mercury Verados. I'll bet they could be had for near mfg cost.

[jorgeinmiami]

2 years ago I had a 99 Merc EFI on my 20 and it was fast.

But was wondering if a 150 would do

But I really like the umff that a 200 would give it

Reason that I'm asking is that I think I found a 1970 20 open for $ 1200 that needs a little work but has no engine.

Afer i drive 4 hours to look at it and if I bring it back then the hunt begins for the engine

[htillman]

How do you get leads on manufacturers left over motors. I maybe interested in that avenue

[Fr. Frank]

How do you get leads on manufacturers left over motors.

Go to the boat factory or plant. Talk to the comptroller, or CFO. The boat mfg have already put out lots of interest $$ on these engines. The longer they sit in inventory, the more they cost them to keep. After a while, they just want to stop making those interest payments, and sell 'em off cheap.

I got my '06 Mercury 90 Optimax one week after the '07 models came out to the boat manufacturers, even before the '07's went on sale at the boat dealerships. To the mfg, at that point the last year models are already left-overs.

The '06 Merc 90 Opti retailed for $8499, and I paid under $5600 including tax. Unfortunately, I did NOT get the 2+2 warranty. That offer expired the day the next model year was at the Proline plant.

24 years ago I bought a program engine through Frank Brown in NPB. I paid $500 to Regal Boats for it. It was a 2 yr old Mercury 150 test motor that had thrown a rod and Frank then rebuilt it for me for the cost of parts and a couple of steak dinners. All told, I had under $1K in the motor. (like about $3K today)

I don't know if some of the smaller boat builders will have program engines or not. Probably only the ones big enough for assembly line production, like Proline, Wellcraft, Regal, etc. I do know Bayliner does NOT sell program engines to the public; they wholesale them off to dealers.

I do know you gotta get the cojones to actually go ask about left-over engines.

Sometimes they have motors from boats used in testing, too. In '04, a neighbor, at my suggestion, asked about left-overs and bought a pair of '01 CR Yamaha HPDI 250's with about 200 hrs each from Proline for $8200 for the pair. AT the time they were mounted on a 34' Proline test sled. He didn't get controls, warranties, or props, but both motors are now well over 800 hours, and only one has had any problems, needing a new lower unit.

If you don't ask, the answer is no. If you do ask, the answer just might be yes.

[eggsuckindog]

Actually a 150 would be just fine IMHOm especially a DI motor like an Etec, these are not like our old 150's.

[zach]

I just recently decided on a merc opti 175 pro xs for my 20. Weight was the biggest issue when looking for an engine. The E-Tec has a 200 that would be perfect weight-wise.

[abjohn]

My 20' had Suzuki 175 4stroke and I couldn't have been happier. Topped out at 52 mph, great holeshot, tons of mid range power and sipped the fuel. I tracked my first four tanks of fuel and averaged 4.78 MPG. If you have a 25" transom, I'd highly suggest that big block 175. Good luck.