F200/F175 or smaller?

[FishStretcher]

I keep hearing about valve adjustments for four strokes. Shim over bucket cam followers practically NEVER need adjusting. Over 10 years onn VWs, Suzuki bikes and Yamaha outboards, I have had to re shim a VW once after 140,000 miles. The suzuki and yamaha didn't need adjustment.

On the Yamaha F100, it took me an hour or two to check the valves. If they did need adjustment, that would be a pain, but they didn't. I did it for peace of mind, knowing that like every other shim over bucket cam follower, it was probably fine, and on the F100, it was. I don't know how many hours are on the motor, I think 800ish. The hour meter say a bit under 700, and it hasn't been plugged in all the time.

Maybe I am the rare guy who maintains his motors? So this doesn't seem like such a cost burden to me. I will do carbs and timing belts and valve lash and oil changes. So that might give me a different viewpoint

Also:
Looking at the Evinrude web page, the 135 is a lot heavier than I thought. I thought in previous years there was a 130 that was the same weight as a Yamaha F90, but it doesn't seem to be available any longer? So it seems like the modern 2 and 4 strokes are closer in weight than I used to think.

[McGillicuddy]

Verch,

I think the Yammie and the Suzuki are both fantastic products, but for a 20 of either generation, I would favor the Suzuki 140 over either brands 175, for the approx 80 lb weight savings. I also think the offset drive feature Bushwacker mentioned is a very clever way to keep some weight forward. I believe the 140s performance will be better in every category except top speed, wherein the 175 should beat the 140 but probably not by more than 3 or 4 mph.

If there is one thing I've learned from this forum, it is the "mantra" that "light is right" on a 20 foot SeaCraft hull. A 20 should feel nimble. I don't foresee that sensation with nearly 500 lbs on the transom.

Either way, new power is good. Enjoy!

[Bushwacker]

I agree with Gillie that the 140 is a better match for the 20' hull than either of the bigger 4-S motors for the best low speed planing performance and ride. My experience with the Seafari, which is still heavier than the Tracker CC models and with more of that weight forward than in a CC, is that the less weight you have on the transom the better. I ran it for over 30 years with a 300 lb motor on some long Bahama trips in rough conditions and was amazed at how well it could stay with 23-24' boats! With only ~ 100 hp at the prop, I could only cruise at about 20 kts and would have trouble staying with the guys running bigger engines in flat conditions, but once seas kicked up to 2-3', they'd have to slow down and then I could stay with 'em! The ride was just amazing and it's too bad that so many CSC guys have never run the 20' hull with a light motor like Gillie has because they'll never know how well it performs when it's balanced as originally designed!

Regarding the E-TEC's, I believe that the 2.6L V-6, which combines the weight of the 140 Zuke with the power and performance of the bigger 4-S motors with even more mid-range torque, is now the optimum new power option for any of the 20' hulls.

The 130 hp and nearly identical 115HO V-4's that were originally listed at 369/375 lbs wet weight (20/25"models) in 2006 had grown to 390/405 lbs by 2009, but as far as I know, only the 115 was available after 2012. The 115 supposedly had more mid-range torque than the 130 V-4, which was evidently replaced by the 135 HO V-6, which I believe came out in 2013. Since the 2.6L V-6 (in 135HO/150/175/200 ratings) offers 1/3rd more displacement with only 28 lbs more weight than the V-4, most folks would probably pick the 135 V-6, provided cost and fuel consumption weren't significantly higher. The other even lower cost and weight option is the 90 HP I-3 E-TEC at 320/325 lbs which is also plenty of power for the 20' hull if you're not interested in running over about 30 kts.

[Terry England]

Denny, Would you quit pushing those E-Tec Water cooled Chain Saws! We pay good money for outboard motors and we sleep better at night knowing there is extra "stuff" werring around in our engines. Valve springs, cam chains, belts, sprockets, pulleys a such give you a sense of sophistication when you are out on the water. Life is complicated and we need to keep it that way no matter how much it costs. And don't be bring up any of that Pratt and Whitney engineering stuff about "power to weight ratios" or "cost of scheduled maintainaince" because we fully entrenched in the principal that "More is More" and that "Less is More" is just too old school. So wake up and smell the Double Expresso Caramel Micchiato with a splash of Creme de Mint and quit asking for black coffee.