23 ft boat, 20 hp motor:how slow can I go?

Indian Summer · 07-10-2012, 02:53 PM

I want to eliminate bags completely. I have a 23ft glass hardtop.

I know there are people out there running similar boats with the motor Im interested in. Can anyone tell me through experience what I can expect for my low end speed with a 20hp 4 stroke Honda???

Also.... with what prop?

I'm thinking about having two props so looking for suggestions on pitch. One to go as slow as possible for trolling harnesses. The other for running around fast for muskies.

Team Pursuit · 07-14-2012, 07:30 AM

you dont need 2 props unless you just want a spare. i would go with the lowest pitch available for your motor, i have a 9.9 hp 4 stroke and run a 6.5 pitch on mine. i can run under 1 mph and can go as fast as 6 mph in my 26' Pursuit. if you are going with a 20hp definetly go with the lowest pitch available.

sherman51 · 07-14-2012, 08:00 AM

he told you like it is. i use to have an old 22 sea ray with a small cabin and hard top. i used an old 18 hp evenrude 2 cycle and it did just fine. but it being a old 2 cycle it used to much gas. so i just went to the easy troller trolling plate. been using one ever sense. good fishing have fun and be safe.
sherman

ReelTimeWes · 07-19-2012, 01:43 PM

A 20 h.p. is not needed and won't do anything more for you than a 9.9 will do except add more weight. The 20 is not gonna have enough power to plane you so you will never go faster than hull speed. Take a look at the Yamaha T9.9 high thrust motor. They are made for this kind of thing. I have the T8 (8 hp) on my center console and it does great.

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Indian Summer · 07-20-2012, 07:44 AM

Yeah Wes I hear ya but I'm not worried about TOP speed. I need to do 5 mph which is why Im looking at the 20s. I just need to make sure I can get her DOWN to walleye speed with that motor.

wajski · 07-20-2012, 08:33 AM

I would consider a 9.9 ht or merc big foot something that is built for trolling and low rpm running. I would say from experience a 9.9 should push you 6+ mph

ReelTimeWes · 07-20-2012, 09:06 AM

My T8 pushes my 23 CC 7 mph. and I can get down to 1mph.

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Indian Summer · 07-22-2012, 07:10 PM

Really Wes... 1 to 7 is an awesome range. Hmmm... that T9 is looking better every day.

fishhogg · 07-23-2012, 07:22 AM

I don't think you will be able to get rid of bags completely. I ran a Contender 23t for 3 years, with a t9.9. Great set up, but still needed bags to slow her down under 1.3mph ecspecially if the wind is blowing. The bags let me really fine tune my speed,plus you can use those bags to help with boat control as well. I finally figured out all i needed to have with me where my 18" and 24" bags. i used the 18" bags about 90% of the time. I broke out the 24s when it really got rough.

Indian Summer · 07-23-2012, 07:49 AM

Thanks Hogg good info... the kind I've been looking for, I have big Beefy Bags. They make steering work. Sometimes I cant even turn into the wind from broadside.... but man they sure slow the big motor down.

Maybe the smaller motor and smaller bags is the direction I should be heading. Any idea what your top speed was with that 9.9? Will she be screaming all day at 5 mph?

boatnut · 07-23-2012, 11:03 AM

you say your boat is a 23'. What is the actual waterline length? The reason I ask is, there is what is called "theoretical hull speed" which is the maximum speed your boat can go before it has to get up on plane. For your boat, it's probably in neighborhood of 6 mph.

I would venture to guess that you could run your 20 hp motor wide open and still not go any faster then 6 and it wouldn't have enough HP to push you up and on plane. The 8.8 or 9 hi thrust will push you at same speed with not much difference in RPM's. This is just and educated guess.

ReelTimeWes · 07-24-2012, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatnut

you say your boat is a 23'. What is the actual waterline length? The reason I ask is, there is what is called "theoretical hull speed" which is the maximum speed your boat can go before it has to get up on plane. For your boat, it's probably in neighborhood of 6 mph.

I would venture to guess that you could run your 20 hp motor wide open and still not go any faster then 6 and it wouldn't have enough HP to push you up and on plane. The 8.8 or 9 hi thrust will push you at same speed with not much difference in RPM's. This is just and educated guess.

Mike you are correct and that's exactly what I was saying. You will not gain anything by going with a 20 hp.

Check out the Yami T9.9. Like my T8, you can get it with power trim and run it from it's own set of controls at the helm. That's what I do.

CarpetBagger · 07-24-2012, 04:01 PM

no ur dead on...my T9.9 will push my 27ft Sport 6mph...20hp is geared different and designed for a different application...you can prop differently sure, but its still designed to push a lighter load fast...T9.9 gearing different swings a wider wheel prop at a low pitch...designed to push heaver load at an even speed...

someone find that dead horse picture...lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatnut

you say your boat is a 23'. What is the actual waterline length? The reason I ask is, there is what is called "theoretical hull speed" which is the maximum speed your boat can go before it has to get up on plane. For your boat, it's probably in neighborhood of 6 mph.

I would venture to guess that you could run your 20 hp motor wide open and still not go any faster then 6 and it wouldn't have enough HP to push you up and on plane. The 8.8 or 9 hi thrust will push you at same speed with not much difference in RPM's. This is just and educated guess.

fishhogg · 07-25-2012, 05:44 PM

Not sure what my top end was with this motor. I know it was around 6 mph, but not sure how far over. Yea, that little dude is gonna be running pretty good at 5-6mph. You might take a look at the 15hp ho etec as well. i am running one of those this year and it is pretty sweet. It has the big 4 blade prop and lets me slow troll like a champ. Every bit as quite as my old t9.9, with a better alternator to keep the battery charged, and it is a 15hp. I used the amish outfitters bags on the Contender, they are tough to beat. Try pulling one of the bags, or putting a bigger bag out on the side that is taking the wind. It will pull harder and help combat the push of wind & wave. Good luck with your set up. You will be happy with a kicker for trolling, boat control, and gas consumption. You might also want to look at an autopilot. but that is for another thread.

ReelTimeWes · 07-25-2012, 09:57 PM

Only disadvantage I can see with the 15 hp Etec is that it weighs 180 pounds...considerably more than the other kickers which could be a factor if mounted to one side on a smaller boat.

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fishhogg · 07-26-2012, 07:15 AM

Works fine on the side of my Starcraft 2050stx.