250 Suzuki four Stroke

[Joseeli]

Have any of you guys put a new suzuki on a 20' open seacraft yet, I have two I am restoring and would like some input on this motors performance the 200 that is I will probobly keep one for me, and wind up selling the other. thanks for advice

[John R]

I would be very hesitant about putting any 4 stroke 200 on the back of a vintage 20 seacraft regardless of floor and transom heights. These were originally spec'd with lightweight 115 4cyl carb motors. Now, our fearless leader has rigged a 140 Suzi 4 stroke that he likes on his restored 20...

[Ed]

Good point, John...especially on original, unrestored older Seacrafts. In Jason's case, since he replaced just about everything on the boat and used weight saving Nida-Core for the floor, etc his boat is most likely lighter than when it rolled out of the factory. The key factor when repowering an older boat with a four stroke is not so much the weight difference.....but rather, getting the boat rebalanced so that it sits in the water properly. If the weight difference is slight....you can usually remedy the problem by relcoating batteries, etc further forward. If the weight difference is significant...you will most likely have to move the console and/or gas tank forward.

Ed

[hedgehog1957]

John:

Just bought 20' 78 Sceptre from Dave (that 70's boat), and thinking about putting a Suzuki 140 on it, or a new Mercury 135HP 4 stroke (2005) on her. Dave says the transom is solid, so he did not raise it. Do you think I might have issues with it. Suzuki looks to be about 410lbs...(I am guessing Merc would be about the same) and with the Sceptre, I would think more weight would be forward. Your thoughts..?

[John R]

If the 20 is up to the task you should be OK with a 140, raised transom, improved draingage, forward fuel tank, and rebalanced like Ed says above. The Merc 135 or a lighter V6 would scream nice but I wouldn't want to go higher than a 140, but I don't have a 20 and there are some that do and have 200s and 225 DFI motors too