Why is 200 hp a bit much for Vs ?

There is no question that the 225Optimax is strong--the Optimax series fro Mercury is probably one of the best they have ever built and strong---What is was after was 218 vs 225hp is not enough to make that speed difference.

Maybe it is just the way my V-20 is set up and the water is was on---It was a bit on the rough side--2 to 3 foot boat chop. I have had here opened up at just over 53mph on GPS on smooth water and no stability issue's but I my self would not run here around all the time at that speed. BRP is pretty good on the making sure they do not blow up--but--I ride their Snowmobiles as well and have watched them use the consumer for their testing center--I can say that my motor has been great other than the injector issue's--apparently BRP had issues with soldering joints inside the injectors in the 07 models---but am very happy with their(BRP) resilute way of handleing the issue---they have replaced all of my injectors at NO cost!!! That is coverage that makes you feel good for sure.

And yes--I have alot on my boat---Downrigger weights (60lbs+) fishing gear, emergency equipment, rigging, multiple anchors, Head, etc.
 
RidgeRunner said:
Never wide open on our trips Reel. Besides, it won't achieve breakneck speed with the 23P prop until you lighten the load. Heavy load I see mid 50's Summer prop is a 21p Lightning that is close to the Mirage prop. Better mileage and tops out in the high 50's but is a better all round prop for fishing and cruising with a little more snap out of the hole. The 225 Optimax is pretty strong Genie Aye, I have a friend that replaced his twin 250's EFI with twin Optimax 225's with the same lower unit gears and he ran out of prop. I am not disputing the prowess of the 200 HO, I would take that in a heartbeat. Perhaps the difference lies in the center console versus cuddy on MPH?
Porpoise is non existent with normal trim angles, even with 30" setback. And I think the 250 is pushing 500 lbs.
Click to expand...

:head:

your prop info makes no since, it's totally backwards, a higher pitch prop adds speed and hurts bottom end take off so your 23 pitch should go faster than your 21.
 
I have made some errors. I read what I wrote

Not this time. Re-read. These are my observations.
You assumed mid 50's was the top-end with the larger pitch prop.

Speed prop 23P Tempest Plus does go faster, best I have seen is 63 MPH last February on the Suwannee. The best speed was obtained Boat Light, trimmed to the moon and some trim tab, motor turning 5800 on the limiter, down stream, 78 degrees, humidity 75%. Tons of propslip but it gets the bow way up. Same prop with 4 or five people in 90 degree weather and 95% humidity will only run 54 mph and the motor will only turn approx 5500 RPM trimmed to the max. Slightly too much prop for fishing load or skiing.

The 21 Lightning (Mirage copy) has huge round ears with lots of bite, and is slower on the top end I think it was 58mph (light load, trimmed proper and on the limiter). Summer prop because the 95 plus degree days hurts the performance on this EFI 250 compared to the cool winter months when it runs best. The smaller pitch prop carries the load of four or five people with less strain while allowing the motor to turn more RPM at WOT . Economy is better because the motor isn't being lugged around at every RPM range.

In theory you are right that higher pitch props add speed but only if you powerplant has the balls to turn the prop. The 25P Tempest on my shelf was no faster that the 23P because the motor could not achieve the necessary rpm to make that a reality. Fuel economy sucked worse than normal but it would cruise 40 at 4000 rpm and 50 at 5000 rpm
 
Ok, now I'm upping the ante....... the new Yami " lightweight " 300hp 4 stroke.

And if someone has a problem with that......lets put that new 556 hp outboard on a nice V21. You know - this new 1,000lb motor. First V21 ever to run .....70 +
 
I think 200hp is a really good match for the V20 hull. My 1975 hull is rated for 230hp (twin 115s in the day), and I find that 200 gives it ample power under any circumstances. It planes effortlessly and economically at 3,200 rpms, even with a good load. Unless the engine you're considering is very heavy, I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 200.

I have a 1989 Evinrude 200XP that weighs 450lbs. I run a 14.5 x 18 stainless prop. When I first bought the boat I experimented with some other props, but I settled on this one and have never run anything else. I use the boat for a wide range of activities – cruising, skiing, tubing, and inshore and offshore fishing, and I regularly carry several people and a lot of gear. The 14.5 x 18 prop doesn't give me the fastest speed or best mileage, but I'm more interested in all-around performance. I can always run at least 47mph even with a full load, and I can always run in the specified 5,000 - 6,000 max rpm range for my engine. That combination also provides immediate response and superb torque whenever I have to hammer it to get through a nasty inlet.

If my engine ever dies I'm going to repower with a 200 small block Etec. It has a little less displacement, but it's very close in weight to what I'm currently running and from everything I've read the difference will be negligible. That said, I do hope I get many more years out of my sometimes thirsty but otherwise very reliable and powerful engine.
 
To answer your two other questions - I've never experienced any porpoising or stern dig at all. My engine has a foil that was installed by the previous owner, so that may have something to do with modulating my boat's planing pattern, but I can't say for sure because I've never run without it.
 
Fitz said:
I think 200hp is a really good match for the V20 hull. My 1975 hull is rated for 230hp (twin 115s in the day), and I find that 200 gives it ample power under any circumstances. It planes effortlessly and economically at 3,200 rpms, even with a good load. Unless the engine you're considering is very heavy, I don't think you'll be disappointed with a 200.

I have a 1989 Evinrude 200XP that weighs 450lbs. I run a 14.5 x 18 stainless prop. When I first bought the boat I experimented with some other props, but I settled on this one and have never run anything else. I use the boat for a wide range of activities – cruising, skiing, tubing, and inshore and offshore fishing, and I regularly carry several people and a lot of gear. The 14.5 x 18 prop doesn't give me the fastest speed or best mileage, but I'm more interested in all-around performance. I can always run at least 47mph even with a full load, and I can always run in the specified 5,000 - 6,000 max rpm range for my engine. That combination also provides immediate response and superb torque whenever I have to hammer it to get through a nasty inlet.

If my engine ever dies I'm going to repower with a 200 small block Etec. It has a little less displacement, but it's very close in weight to what I'm currently running and from everything I've read the difference will be negligible. That said, I do hope I get many more years out of my sometimes thirsty but otherwise very reliable and powerful engine.
Click to expand...

Go for the HO .........
 
I have a 225 Optimax on my V. Right now I'm running a Merc Revolution 4 prop with 19" pitch. My top end is 53mph occasionally hitting the rev limiter. But the cruise is perfect. 30kts at 4000 rpms and getting 3.5mpg.
 
Yeh well I changed my mind on that one - and went for the HO.

Now someone tell me where the switch is.........to dial it up to 250 hp!

225 Opti is known as a top speed motor - both etec and merc 225's putting out closer to 265 hp at the prop.
 
bgreene said:
Yeh well I changed my mind on that one - and went for the HO.

Now someone tell me where the switch is.........to dial it up to 250 hp!

225 Opti is known as a top speed motor - both etec and merc 225's putting out closer to 265 hp at the prop.
Click to expand...

245, 265 would get them in trouble with the insurance industry as you have to be within 10% of the rated HP. As for turning it up, it isn't that simple on the new ETECS. Pretty sure there is porting differences in them like MERCURY did.
 
My uncle has an 89 v20 cuddy with a 225 Yamaha 2 stroke and it hauls ***. He had a 130 on it but blew the power head. His mechanic had the engine as a fresh rebuild so he gave him a good price. All he does is ***** about how the thing eats gas now though.
 
Striper80 said:
My uncle has an 89 v20 cuddy with a 225 Yamaha 2 stroke and it hauls ***. He had a 130 on it but blew the power head. His mechanic had the engine as a fresh rebuild so he gave him a good price. All he does is ***** about how the thing eats gas now though.
Click to expand...

You never get something for nothing. More power demands more gas. It's as simple as that.

Nice looking numbers Pete. And a good looking dash setup as well.
 
Destroyer said:
You never get something for nothing. More power demands more gas. It's as simple as that.


Agreed, except When you step into some technology like the Opti and the Etec.
The trade-off is that the engine is so much more complex. Same and more hp with less fuel burn.
I can just about see Spongebob now. Jetting across the harbor with that new powerplant.. Sweet dash job too capt Pete.

We need another get together. We can race up the ICW for pinks.. We will give the Yamaha guys a head start, Wilson. Then maybe we can get some of the closer folks to attend. Hu Hum! Stop in Savannah with a camera as we convoy from there to the show.. Mount Pleasant, Shem Creek, Wando, Fishin with some good ole snaggers.. Man it has been too long.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top