20' Repower Question

Diablo · #1 07-31-2011, 10:50 PM

I'm wondering what effect a larger HP (heavier) I/O will has on the performance of the 20' hull? I've heard of V6 I/O repowers and am wondering about the extra weight of the larger engine. Does anyone know how the 20 Seafari performs with V6 i/o power? Do the decks get wet from water coming in the scuppers? Any info on performance/speed? Handling? Issues?

Anyone know of any V8 I/O powered 20 hulls?

Your feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

strick · #2 08-01-2011, 12:32 AM

I saw a 20 sceptre powered with a V8. You could barely fit a dime between the engine well and the risers. Maintenance would have been a royal pain. No need for a V8 in a 20 IMHO.

strick

Diablo · #3 08-01-2011, 08:15 AM

Strick, Thanks for the feedback. It makes sense that space with an 8 would be very limited to the point of making routine maintenance a real challenge.

I ask about the 8 cylinder because I'm going to travel to take a look at a 20 that had a V8 and outdrive installed new about 6 years ago. The V8 is not my first choice for power however the boat appears to be in good shape so it has got my attention.

If the hull condition is good and the price is right I'd look at removing the 8 and installing a 4.3 V6. I'd like to understand the performance Pros & Cons because I'd probably run the 8 for a season before switching over to a 6.

Did the boat you saw have wet decks from the weight of the V8? Any idea how it (or a V6) runs in the 20' hull?

Fr. Frank · #4 08-04-2011, 03:42 PM

Ther were a very few 66-60 19' Bowriders built with V8 sterndrives, and also a very few 20 Seafari's. Most were MerCruiser

WAnd while I know there were a several built, I have seen only 1 20' SuperFisherman built with a V8 sterndrive, and I saw it back in '84 in Juno, Florida. It was a '72, and had an OMC 350ci "stringer-drive" V8 with original thru-hull exhaust. I seem recall it being 215 or 235 hp, but I could be wrong on that.

You could just barely reach under the exhaust manifolds to the spark plugs and oil drain plug, and the oil filter was relocated to next to the alternator on the front of the motor, and stood upside-down, so that it drained into the oil pan whenever the engine was stopped.

We sold it within a week of it being brought to the marina on consignment.

Diablo · #5 08-04-2011, 05:26 PM

Fr. Frank thanks for your reply.

It's good to know a V8 was offered as a factory option. Do you know if the weight of the larger engine caused problems with water in the scuppers? The V8 powered boat I'm looking at is a 20 Seafari.

Fr. Frank · #6 08-04-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Do you know if the weight of the larger engine caused problems with water in the scuppers? The V8 powered boat I'm looking at is a 20 Seafari.

On an originally equipped hull, should be no problems, as the deck height was adjusted on the V8 stern-drive models. on a re-power, that would depend on whether the deck was raised. The Mercruiser V8 small block complete set-ups were 835 to 940 lbs. I don't know if the deck height from original is sufficient.