ok 5th engine and 4 time repowering this season(crappy craigslist engines with secret problems etc..)everybody was right about the 125 merc saltwater being too small. it does work but i have to push it too hard etc.... so have benn mainly going very slow its reliable etc etc...my plan was to re power next year with a bigger engine. its a 78 center console had a 150 black max on it .i came across agreat deal on a 200hp merc for it.its guarenteed etc...i couldnt pass it up.has a nice 4 blade stain less prop on it(dont know size currently)im super excited to see what this boat will do with a 200hp on it.i have the old prop off the 150 plus my buddy has a bunch of stainless racing props cleavers etc from his older daysi understand the right prop is everything but with the right prop how fast do you think she will go?i know the fuel bill will be ridiuclous
Re powering.......again hows a 200hp on v20 do?
- Thread starter gotomgo
- Start date
Destroyer
God
It's not just the prop (Although they are one of the main factors) It's also the wind, current, waves, how much weight you have in the boat (gear, people, etc) temperature, humidity, pure gas VS Ethanol 10 gas, etc. Having just said that, all things being equal, on calm water with little weight you should be able to crack 50 mph on your GPS with no sweat.
LOVE this topic of max hp on the V's !!
Yes, 150 hp great / fine / terrific …...Yes, 200 even more great / fine / terrific.
Some report over 50mph, but I get 46-48 depending.
Closer to 50 if bimini and curtains off, remove the loaded coolers in cuddy, and 1/4 tank fuel.
Would prefer if the V was rated for up to 300 hp !!!
Had my V transom re worked inside and out so likely much stronger than original factory.
Nice new Evinrude Etec G2 300 hp with fly by wire ………..yes sir, let's go if not illegal, and not so expensive !!!
Would likely run 60 mph with " squirrely top end" requiring careful trim and tab...…...with super fast 40-45 mph cruise speed all day long.
Yes, 150 hp great / fine / terrific …...Yes, 200 even more great / fine / terrific.
Some report over 50mph, but I get 46-48 depending.
Closer to 50 if bimini and curtains off, remove the loaded coolers in cuddy, and 1/4 tank fuel.
Would prefer if the V was rated for up to 300 hp !!!
Had my V transom re worked inside and out so likely much stronger than original factory.
Nice new Evinrude Etec G2 300 hp with fly by wire ………..yes sir, let's go if not illegal, and not so expensive !!!
Would likely run 60 mph with " squirrely top end" requiring careful trim and tab...…...with super fast 40-45 mph cruise speed all day long.
Steplift 72'
Junior Member
Some of the old Mercury "Boathouse Bulletins" are still to be found on the internet. As I recall back in 83' they said their 150hp would push a light V-20 to 46mph and a loaded one to 42mph. The 200 made about 54mph light and something less than 50mph heavy. Keep in mind that on Lake X, their idea of heavy is probably half what a fisherman would call heavy. I found the Mercury Boathouse Bulletins to be accurate and good advice for setting up a boat whether it was a Merc or Johnson/Evinrude.
steplift20
God
Idk why you guys are so concerned about going fast, I have a 150 Mercury hanging off the transom and I go top speed about 35 mph and I feel that's flying . Two years ago I hit a whale in the raritan bay going maybe 15 mph and that was scary as hell,can you imagine going 50? I can't . there is a lot of things on jthe water, 35 mph is fine with me.
Destroyer
God
While I agree with you that speed is usually not that important, I think there's some kind of "magic" that is associated with hitting 50. It's like doing 100 in a car.. something to be dreamed about but rarely attained.
As for me, the need for speed is associated with an incident that happened to me years and years ago. I was out on the water with my wife, her sister and her sisters boyfriend. We were fishing and noticed that the skies were darkening rapidly. So we pulled our lines and headed at top speed for the dock. I could have wished for a larger. faster engine, because the storm caught us about a mile from the dock. Lightning flashes all around, heavy rain, wind... just a god awful mess, scary as hell. We finally made it to the dock, tied up and ran like hell for shelter. But it always left an impression with me that speed is like a gun. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
steplift20
God
I agree with you better to have and not need than to need and not have,,BUT I always check the weather,look at the sky notice the wind and am never tofarfrom the dock , one time I was at the mud buoy with my sons and the weather started kicking up and I left got back in time to not be in any trouble but I can see that happening ,very good point Destoyer
Destroyer
God
I do the same on the checking the weather. This storm I was talking about just came up outta nowhere. The day was forecast to be sunny and clear as I recall, and truthfully, the storm was over in about 45 minutes. Just one of those sudden summer thunderstorms that happen every now and then.
steplift20
God
45 minutes is to long to be in a storm any time is to long to be in a storm
Mostly joking about speed in the V.......as the newer 150’s deliver the best fuel economy and total performance. Also as with most all boats this size and vintage, lighter is better ....
Couple of things I do like about the 200Ho on my V21.....
1. I tend to run the ocean beach miles hunting the bite and the fast cruise speed of 35-40 mph on calm days cuts travel time / increases fishing time.
2. Heavy load ....a non factor with 4 people, full fuel, full gear, curtains up boat rides the same if not better from the weight.
Couple of things I do like about the 200Ho on my V21.....
1. I tend to run the ocean beach miles hunting the bite and the fast cruise speed of 35-40 mph on calm days cuts travel time / increases fishing time.
2. Heavy load ....a non factor with 4 people, full fuel, full gear, curtains up boat rides the same if not better from the weight.