150HP versus 200HP performance question

[tomcarioca]

I am shopping for an center console and the size boat I am looking at is in the 19' - 20' range, about 1700-2000lb hull weight.

One consideration driving my decision is the max HP supported by the boat, but I am not sure if this correct.

If you take the equal boat, what speed difference would a 150HP vs a 200HP make? Is it worth the aprx $3000 price difference? Would I look at 5mph more, or a much substantial speed difference like 10-15mph?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 150HP versus 200HP performance question

A decent rule of thumb is that it takes four times the horsepower to double the speed. The difference between a 150 and a 200--depending upon numerous factors-- would be about 5-7 MPH ON THE SAME SIZE, MODEL, AND BRAND HULL. As I said though, there are a number of factors involved and you can NOT compare different hulls.

A 200 on one brand might be 15-20 MPH faster than a 150 in another brand--or, it might give the same speed.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 150HP versus 200HP performance question

Well top speed and center consoles normally do not go together......... The 3K price difference is actually much higher when you factor in the fuel consumption

 

[dingbat]

Re: 150HP versus 200HP performance question

It's not about speed, it's about having horsepower when you need it.

I can count the number of times I can run, or care to, run WOT on the open waters on one hand. The number of times you?re going to run a 19-20' boat WOT in open water is far less.

On the other hand, running 5-10 miles in a following sea will have you wishing you bought the biggest motor you could possibility afford.

The difference in fuel economy is negligible. Don?t be surprised that you actually get better fuel economy with the larger motor.


Here are the advertised performance data for my boat. The 300 HP is a no brainer on this boat. The 300HP gives you a 50% increase in available horsepower and a 1.8 mph faster top end at a cost of less than 0.1 mpg.

RPM------Speed-------MPG ----------HP
4000------- 28--------- 3.5 -------- 200HP
3500------- 29.0------- 3.41 ------- 250HP
3500------- 29.8------- 3.40-------- 300HP