115hp outboard too small for V20?

R

reyb

Junior Member
It seems some are using a 115 for the V20, but I'm wondering if that motor is too small? I think I read somewhere that with a 115 they were able to get up to 40mph. Any one have experience with this size of motor on a V20? If a 115hp would get a V20 with 4 guys up to 40mph, then that's a motor I think I can live with.
 
not 40 mph, never saw that, but 36 to 38 when it was mounted on a bracket.
cruise was around 28-30 loaded and did fine.
 
It will also be dependant upon which 115 you run. The older 115 cross-flow would only hit a tops of 28 with just me in mine with a sea-drive, but that engine was 115HP at the flywheel. The 85+ 115 is actually close to 130-135HP at the flywheel, but is roughly 115HP give or take 10% at the prop. The late model 95+ 115 eagle series loopers are a STRONG 115HP if not closer to 125HP at the prop. That is the style engine that I believe is on WILLY's old boat that does so well, plus it's a light weight 60 degree looper with awesome power down low. The 120/140 90 degree loopers that OMC made for years are strong engines(the 140 looper would run with the 150 cross-flow just about neck and neck on the top end), but they are HEAVY pigs. They're good on fuel, but come in around 390 pounds VS the 115 coming in around 300-315 pounds. An ideal engine I think if you can still find a good one is the older MERCURY 2.4L 175/200HP engines. They weigh in at roughly 375 pounds and pack one heck of a punch, not to mention they aren't too fuel thirsty like some of the 2.0L's and all of the 2.5L's. Also the 150 YAMAHA is an awesome choice, or the late model 130 YAMAHA. And the 140 SUZUKI 2 stroker is a good engine that was available with fuel injection, was lightweight for it's HP, and sips fuel. They are unfortunately a bit lacking in the bottem end grunt department.
 
Thanks Ferm. I had to do a little reading to understand what you were saying about cross-flow and loopers :) Eds Marine has a 150 Yamaha for only $7k. On the Yamaha website it says it weighs about 427lbs and the GPH doesn't seem that bad.
 
According to the brocure, the 1970 v-20' Cuddy max hp was 135. Based on the motors that were available in 1970 the modern 115 is very comparable in hp and performance. The Yamaha 150 is a sweet motor. They have proven to be bulletproof. The extra ponies are nice to have in reserve while giving good economy at 35mph cruise. I think you would top out in the mid 40's. Probably the best all round and the most common hp to these boats.
 
I have a 200HO E-tec on my 89 and it will see around 53mph on gps--but comfortable cruise is in the mid to upper 30's and at a fuel effiecent range.

If I had thought a 115 would have pushed this boat with a load in it in some seas--I had a 2000 Evinrude Ficht that I would have kept and put on the boat and saved myself $18000.00.

Cruise in the upper 20's yes-if you feed it more throttle maybe low 30's running her hard--in good water.
 
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