20' SeaCraft heavy motor

[Offshore Asset]

So I have read just about everything on these boats. I am in the middle of restoring a 1969 20'. I am planning on a Hermco Bracket. And I will be putting my fuel tank as far forward as I realistically can. I am also making it a flush deck all the way forward and it'll be raised 3 inches from factory.

I am not sold on any one motor yet. But am leaning towards the 200 Suzuki. It is heavy but I have seen them with heavy motors before. The 250 Pro Xs is slightly heavier, how would it run with a 250? I've seen 250s on some 20's.

Could the boat perform well with the weight? I am moving the tank, and console forward. Or am I just crazy?

[DonV]

Hummmm.......run with a 250 Pro XS???, how does "like a scalded ape" sound. NoBones has a 200 Merc 2.6L (I think a 2.6) and it's fast, real fast!! Why not a 150 Pro XS?

Or am I just crazy?

[McGillicuddy]

If I'm not mistaken, No Bones motor weighs about 405 lbs.
Asset's choices are closer to 500 lbs. Light is right on these hulls. Latest thread re. the 20 with extra power/weight below:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...ad.php?t=28260

Good luck with your decision and don't forget the drag chute and ride safety waivers

[TomParis]

These boats do not perform well with a heavier higher horse power motor, they are not speed boats, a 150 is the max you should put on it you don't want it chine walking.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by DonV

Hummmm.......run with a 250 Pro XS???, how does "like a scalded ape" sound. NoBones has a 200 Merc 2.6L (I think a 2.6) and it's fast, real fast!! Why not a 150 Pro XS?

Or am I just crazy?

No, I keep telling you, I`m crazy.
You are just a cheap bastard and I am an antique slacker.

Bones has some port action going on and dyno`d 238 at the prop...
He sees 62-3 light and she will chine walk.
He also has no liner and no bracket so weight and balance are right on the money.
No bracket either to screw up the CG.

The real kicker is the massive 12x 24 tabs.
The only things in the water are the prop, pad, and tabs at speed.
Dave has the ultimate tabs on his 25 Seafari.

[DonV]

Now Sandy, I'm only a cheap bastard because I'm a poor bastard!!!!! However NO argument on you and the crazy thing!

I do know there was no way, I mean no way I could even keep Ken in my vision after about five minutes at WOT at the Sebastian gathering a few years ago. I was doing what I thought was pretty good speed in the old clunker trying to keep up with him and he was just a dot getting smaller and smaller off in the distance.

[jorgeinmiami]

Move everything forward get 5 fat buddies strap them in on the front and hang this on the back

Hold on

[Offshore Asset]

Well I think I'll be leaning towards a 175 pro xs. This should give me some good all around performance. My question is, how far forward do I have to put the tank? I'm planning on around a 60-70 gallon tank. And I want the boat to sit level in the water or close to it. I also have a very small console out of an 18 seacraft and I plan on having the batteries and possibly oil tank in it

[jwclbi]

I have a 225efi merc weighing in at 475lbs, no bracket and it performs nicely, and boat self bails with no problem

[Capt Terry]

Offshore Asset & mike c-

You both asked similar questions with respect to engine weight & moving things around to compensate. With all the discussions about heavy 4 strokes particularly on brackets, I put together a quick tool to use as an estimator. See my post, Capt Terry, of 9-24-16 on Estimating CG Shift with Heavy Engines. Be sure to open the attachment for an example calculation. This puts a little science to the quesswork. Also see Bushwacker's related post of 9-25-16, as well as some others. If the tool helps you, great; if you don't like it you will have wasted little time. Good luck.