20' SEACRAFT Engine Upgrade

creelcraig · #1 07-15-2018, 05:05 PM

I've got an old Merc Saltwater Series 150 on my 1974 Seacraft and I'm ready to move on. I've looked into the 150 Yamaha and Merc 4 strokes and the Evinrude 135 Etec as well as the Yamaha F115. I can't find the exact weight of my current engine but am not looking to sink the stern with a heavier 150HP 4 stroke. I live in NH away from the ocean but would be looking to use this in the ocean so I'm looking for decent speed with reliability and efficiency however there are not many people up here to get feedback from. Any thoughts / suggestions would be much appreciated.

DonV · #2 07-15-2018, 05:26 PM

Hummm.....a eTec 115 is 390#, a 150 is 418# which I would think is very close to what you have now....plus a 10 year warranty available util the end of the month. FWIW, warranty is good!

Capt Terry · #3 07-15-2018, 06:23 PM

Don is correct about the weight of a 20" ETEC 150, which I have on my Seafari. With some family things in the way only have about 150 hours in five years. It is the quickest starting, most quiet, fuel thrifty engine I have experienced. Almost too torquey on the low end which made wakeboarding speeds unstable until I made some mods. Winterization takes about five minutes. Suggest a Racor filter and vacuum gage and have dealer check fuel flow versus pressure drop to avoid running too lean. I had to remove the anti-siphon valve from my original fitting on fuel tank to reduce flow restriction (my dealer missed this, but learned it from Bushwacker).

drtyTshrt · #4 07-15-2018, 11:51 PM

I want a Mercury 175 PRO XS.
431lbs
puts out almost 200hp

215robert · #5 07-16-2018, 10:47 AM

X2 Mercury 175 PRO XS.

creelcraig · #6 07-16-2018, 03:46 PM

I've looked at the yamaha VF 115 - according to one review it actually puts out close to 130 HP. It weights 377#. I checked out the Evinrude briefly and didn't see the warranty info right off - it's 10 yr until end July? What about the 135HP? I'd like to gear up and pound around the Elizabethan islands in this.

DonV · #7 07-16-2018, 07:36 PM

here ya go....

https://www.evinrude.com/content/evi...les-event.html

Cptn5245 · #8 08-22-2018, 08:55 AM

I have a 2005 Seacraft 20 that I repowered with a mercury 115 four stroke. I am happy with the results. It is not a speed demon but gets me where I want to go. Can stay on plane at 14 to 15 knots, top speed about 28 knots with a full load. Cruises nicely at 23 knots burning about 3.5 to 4 miles per gallon.

FishStretcher · #9 08-23-2018, 11:24 PM

You want an etec 90. I pound around the Elizabeth Island chain in a 1975 20 Master Angler. I have a Yamaha F100 and I can't use it at full throttle much in Buzzards Bay. A bit more in Vineyard Sound. More weight on the transom just makes following seas more scary.

I know that my next outboard will be the ETEC 90 at what, 320lb? More power than the F100 and 50-60 lbs lighter.