The V 20 hits 50mph tops, but any faster ?

Got it. I know it to be risky by myself but the motor height was the first thing I checked. The lighter 200 was perfect mounted in the top hole the cav plate was right on top at 40 mph. The 250 seems to be a little low, I can barely see the top of the plate while underway and I mounted it using the second hole. It has a tiny bit of spray coming off the lower on one side only. 3/4" higher should do it. The bracket was mounted per the directions.
The Mirage 19 will be my next prop to test.
BTW I have been posting for a album. I need to reach 100 posts. LOL
At this rate my album will be here next week.
 
Nothing to report. Bronchitis slowing me down. Hope the boat is immune. I've looked into actual hp numbers on the 250 EFI and I think with a little more setup it might reach 58mph.
I have been second guessing the decision for more speed. I think this old girl deserves better treatment than what she is getting right now. You know, run hard and put away wet. I am a gearhead but I don't really have the speed bug. Besides fat people get distorted over 55mph...

:hide:
 
Just a question--Is not the 250 over the rating for the boat>>

Mine has a rating of a 235hp.

Just curious if these boats varied on the HP ratings for different years.
 
I'd raise teh engine to the top hole and try the 21 Mirage, if you get the engine too high, you will know it, then you won't have to wonder how it will run rasied anotehr hole, its allways easier to drop the engine down a hole than raise it. Liek I said, my friends 20 grady spins a 19, its a heavier boat than a V, plus he has a big T-top with full cnavas. That 225 Yamaha spins teh 19 with no problem. I don't remeber the different gear ratios on teh Yamaha verses your 250 Merc (1.75 i think), but I'd guess you should be able to spin a 21.
 
The hp rating on the boat in 1983 was 200 or 235. I know the early 20's were rated much lower. Going back to 1970 for instance there was no such thing as a 200 hp outboard. The max rating was 135 in that year. Several factors have led to the change in hp rating over the years. At some point I belive they changed due to Wellcrafts decision to go with the OMC SEADRIVES.
You raise a good point and in doing so opened the preverbial can of worms. What is the law? My 20 has no plackard for hp max persons etc.
I really don't have plans to run this package for long but say I get pulled by a wildlife officer, what would happen?
There is a really cool website for fast boats called SCREAMANDFLY.com, It is absolutely insane what motor and boat combinations you will see there. I don't think it really matters what you put on the back of the boat until it is
1. Time to ante up for insurance or
2. When you are sitting in court trying to defend your bacon after something went terribly wrong. :cen:
 
spareparts said:
I'd raise teh engine to the top hole and try the 21 Mirage, if you get the engine too high, you will know it, then you won't have to wonder how it will run rasied anotehr hole, its allways easier to drop the engine down a hole than raise it. Liek I said, my friends 20 grady spins a 19, its a heavier boat than a V, plus he has a big T-top with full cnavas. That 225 Yamaha spins teh 19 with no problem. I don't remeber the different gear ratios on teh Yamaha verses your 250 Merc (1.75 i think), but I'd guess you should be able to spin a 21.
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I know a friend of mine has a 21 KEY WEST with a 225 YAMAHA 4 stroke and he spins a 19 pitch STILLETTO to about the same RPM's that my 225 EVINRUDE spun a 15 STILLETTO, he maxed at 6100 running 52 and I maxed at 6400 running about 50-51. Those 4 strokes have a pretty deep gear ratio to them in the lower unit.
 
THEFERMANATOR said:
I know a friend of mine has a 21 KEY WEST with a 225 YAMAHA 4 stroke and he spins a 19 pitch STILLETTO to about the same RPM's that my 225 EVINRUDE spun a 15 STILLETTO, he maxed at 6100 running 52 and I maxed at 6400 running about 50-51. Those 4 strokes have a pretty deep gear ratio to them in the lower unit.
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Ok, local marinas looking to see what they have for props. One said YES over the phone to several 21p test props and when I showed up in person you would have thought I was speaking Russian, Nyet!!.
Raising the motor to the highest position on the bracket, Friday. That idea is genious. Tweaking on the throttle plates to adjust idle down a bit.
My motor guru claimed mid-50's. He stated that I would be fighting the wind with my t-top and console as it is currently set up.
Since I have totally hijacked this thread I would offer that a light 20 with the proper setup and 250hp would be able to achieve 60mph without question. It would be cool to start with a CC and install a small console all the way to the step for the casting platform.
Bare essentials with a bucket seat that just offers a view over the bow.
Or maybe a cuddy with a small windscreen. 60 would probably arrive with less than 250 hp if the hull was light enough.
 
Does anyone know the actual HULL speed of the V-20??


As far as the HP deal--As I understand--it just will not meet CG approval and as long as you do not have a incident because of HP you should be cool--other than maybe insurance--make sure they know what is on the boat for power to cover your Butt.
 
Spare, I have looked at all of the galleries. That is a small console. I call that the day boat look. Simple, functional and beautiful. It took me 10 years to do my 20 and that is too long. It gave my brain too much time to figure out how to make it overly complicated. Bells and whistles are nice but simple and functional are the reel roots of these boats IMO:)
 
BTW, The 250EFI has no stickers on the outside to indicate HP it was recently painted, in a wind storm no less. Hoist the 40 lb lid off and the ECU's have 250 stickers all over.
 
Update

Since I can't afford to fly spareparts down to drive my 20 to 60mph I have taken it upon myself to go on a diet. You know increase my power to weight ratio.
I got a 21pitch prop, repainted the lower and have been working to resolve all motor issues. Hope to raise the motor this evening, set the throttle position sensor and be ready for a lake test this weekend.
:sun:
 
Thanks Nipper.

I agree 100%. Kill Switch Lanyard to be worn at all times when boat is in motion, no matter what speed. In addition we will have a full life vest, no riders and a couple bystanders with 911 on their speed dial until we see how it reacts. Hopeful to get some pictures. I don't care to take pictures while driving but will improvise there, maybe a quick shot of the GPS at maximum velocity.
54 was without drama, no ill tendencies except you have to train yourself to watch for big waves much farther ahead. I posted it before, the extra speed is a novelty that won't be used much. But, I would be lying if I said I wasn't having fun with this endevour.
 
David2180 said:
anyone know how much speed is lost with rough bottom paint , compared to a smooth slick finish ?
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Welcome aboard. I was curious as well. I saw it was answered in another thread.
Trip to the lake was a huge disappointment, 96 degrees, no wind, too much prop, motor too high, less top end and the motor malfunctioned.
It would only turn 5400 trimming to the moon. I had a rider that saw 52 mph on the gps. The motor will need to come down two holes. The center of the gearcase is now 2" below the bottom of the boat with the 30" setback. On plane I can see the water 2" below the ventilation plate and at this height the prop is surfacing with trim at wot although water pressure was always good. The prop is ventilating somewhat in the turns. The setup was not right and going to the 21p Thunderbolt was too much prop. I will have to send it off to be re-pitched since I bought it.
The motor dropped off about half way thru the test session. Something crapped out with the fuel system or the ignition. It wouldn't even get on plane. I don't think I hurt it too bad, it still has a good smooth idle. I am happy it died in the lake instead of the Gulf of Mexico but :head: NOW WHAT?
 
With respect to props, Ferm you were right on the money, I should have tried a 19 Mirage. I really thought it might turn the 21 with the motor raised up. I may have already seen the highest top speed. The giant diameter of the new prop really made a huge difference.
 
sorry about pointing you in the wrong direction on the 21, I guess Ferm nailed this one, but you do need to stick with the same style prop, just 2 numbers down
 
spareparts said:
sorry about pointing you in the wrong direction on the 21, I guess Ferm nailed this one, but you do need to stick with the same style prop, just 2 numbers down
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Hey, not the wrong direction we are getting there bit by bit. If I was to do it over without input I would have made the same mistake. I should have known better. I had the info right in front of me but chose not to use it. With the 200 I ran a 17p Quicksilver to 6300 @ 48 and went to a 17 mirage and dropped 500 rpm with a top speed of 46.
I agree, the style of prop is the correct choice for all around performance. It has more rake and cup than the prop I was running to 54 mph. This one carries the bow a little better and still has a great holeshot. If all holds true I should be just right with a 19 Mirage, Ferm nailed it alright.
I can keep this one for a spare or make it into the right prop by sending it out. Any thoughts there?
 
bgreene said:
Fifty miles per hr is plenty of speed, but anyone ever find a way to run one of these much faster ? Say 60 mph ?

Come on you V20 " purists" ...........live a little !!
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250 hp isn't enough. I tried but will concede the trial in defeat.
You could reach 60 with a modified motor I think it would take 280 or 300 hp on a light version set up for speed. I never felt the boat was out of control at 54. It handled great. There are some out there now running 54 or better with less hp than what I tried. I have concerns about the additional weight of the added hp and just how practical is it?
Max hp = 225. That is a great recommendation IMHO.
 
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