single or twins - 23 CC

[Fr. Frank]

Twin 200's is totally unnecessary on a 23 seacraft.

Tim, you're absolutely right. BUT, blasting along in 1' to 2' seas at 65 mph in a 23' SeaVette running twin Bridgeports (and burning 70+ gph) is one of my fondest SeaCraft memories.

[Bigshrimpin]

I must be getting old. Don't get me wrong 45mph cruise is awesome!! but there just aren't that many days when it's calm enough. Running faster than 30mph in the 23 with 20knts SW winds requires too much concentration for extended periods. Outboard motors have a narrow powerband and Twin 200's on a 23 moves the optimum cruising speed into the 40 - 50mph range. IMO this is way outside safe and comfortable cruising speeds in typical conditions on a 23ft boat. If you like to fish without wearing crash helmets, find a nice single 250hp engine.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I must be getting old. Don't get me wrong 45mph cruise is awesome!! but there just aren't that many days when it's calm enough. Running faster than 30mph in the 23 with 20knts SW winds requires too much concentration for extended periods. Outboard motors have a narrow powerband and Twin 200's on a 23 moves the optimum cruising speed into the 40 - 50mph range. IMO this is way outside safe and comfortable cruising speeds in typical conditions on a 23ft boat. If you like to fish without wearing crash helmets, find a nice single 250hp engine.

You got that right after about 30-35 MPH in average seas you need a longer boat or your just start skipping over the tops of the waves and when you land on the next wave the boat starts biting into that wave and usually in a way you really don’t like.

The first rule in boating is “Bring Them Back Alive”



FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[Fr. Frank]

The first rule in boating is “Bring Them Back Alive”

Amen and Amen.

[medic1227]

I have twin 175 optimaxes .I'm planning on adding a bracket this winter, one of the reasons I bought the boat was I had a friend with a 23 with twin 200 mercs,just because you can run 20 mph faster than some guys can doesn't mean you have to,better to have it and not need it,I cruise around 40 at 2.8mph

[Rainmaker]

I am running a single 225 on my 23. It is fine. I would like to put twin 200s on it though. I do run a ton of 100 mile plus rides alone and the security would be nice. Of course if you can not get on a slide on one of the twins it does not do you much good.

When I repower it will be with a 250eTECH to replace my 2006 225 eTECH since I can not justify the cost to go with twins and as some others mentioned, I will not maintain 2 motors as well as I do 1. I tend to run 300-400 hours a year so the maintenance bill will climb pretty quick.

Go with what makes sense for you, if you need that back up and have a fat wallet twins is tough to pass up on but if you do not have much wiggle room in the wallet a nice 225-300 will be just fine.