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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

316.0. "Johnson 20, 25 and 30 differences" by CSSE32::DORSEY () Tue Mar 21 1989 13:04

    I've got a couple of questions about the recent Johnson 20, 25 
    and 30 hp outboard engines.  I know that they all have the
    same basic block and displacement. I'd appreciate information 
    describing the mechanical differences and the difficulty of 
    converting a 20hp engine to a 25 or 30. I've asked a couple local 
    Johnson dealers but got conflicting answers.

    Also, I'd like to know the performance differences between the three 
    engines with respect to pulling power. My 100 lb daughters have been 
    asking to ski behind my 14.5 ft aluminum fishing boat that is equiped 
    with a 1987 Johnson 20. I've already installed a Doel Fin and have a 
    lower pitch prop that I can use. My top speed with my 13in prop is 
    about 27 mph and with my 15in prop about 29, so I expect I can pull 
    them fast enought to have fun even without touching the engine. 
    However, I'd like to know the costs and benefits of engine modification
    then maybe they can pull 150 lb dad.
    
    Trading for a larger engine is not an option for me. 
    
    Thanks,
    Jack  


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316.1Try it!!STAFF::CHACElet's go fishin'Wed Mar 22 1989 14:288
    
      I skied alot behind a 18 hp Johnson when I was younger. It was
    on a 14' open fiberglass boat, which was probably at *least* as
    heavy as your aluminum one. I would think that 'Dad' would have
    no problem skiing behind this boat. It just may be a little slow
    pulling him up.
    
    					Kenny
316.2There is a HP kitANT::RBEDARDMon Mar 27 1989 12:319
    	Johnson offers kits for engines using the same powerhead to
    move to the next HP level.
    
    	The kits contain a new carburetor and I think the reed plate.
    Although the reed plate is not always needed, sometimes a restrictor
    gasket is used between the old carb and plate. Just removing the restrictor
    will not increase the HP, the bigger carb is needed.
    
    Ron
316.3cheap dirty trickSICVAX::SCHEIBELU can Teach A new dog UL TRIXFri Mar 31 1989 14:495
    You could try rejeting the carborator and giveing the motor more air by
    removing the silencer on the front of motor.
    
     Bill
    
316.4Change the head and advance the timing *usually*CSMET2::CHACElet's go fishin'Fri Mar 31 1989 16:4520
    
      Removing the air/water baffle on the carb intake and then re-jetting
    (you HAVE to rejet if you do this if you want your motor to live)
    probably will give a little more power, but if the exhaust isn't
    similarly changed to reflect this, the difference will be fairly
    small at best.
      On the motors which have the same displacement but come in different
    horsepower ratings, the differences are often ALL of these:
    
    		Greater compression - usually from a different head
    		Different port timing and/or size - more exhaust duration
    		More ignition timing at high speeds
    
      Notice on most of these motors the higher horsepower version
    develops it's full hp at higher RPM. This is fine but there is usually
    a drop in low-speed pulling power. Of course you'll never hear about
    this - outboard motor torque output is not discussed, but it's TORQUE
    that gives ACCELERATION!
    
    		Kenny_owner_of_a_9.9_aka_15_Johnson
316.5Thanks for the infoCSSE32::DORSEYMon Apr 03 1989 15:0622
    
    The last reply supports info I got from Fernald's Marine who 
    told me that for some applications and engines lower horsepower 
    versions pull better than the higher hp version. But, they were 
    reluctant to specificly  compare the Johnson 20, 25 and 30. The 
    20 and 25 both reach max hp in the same RPM range but the 30 
    reaches max hp at a higher range. I don't know about max torque 
    values. Part of the reason I asked my question was that I'm not 
    convinced I'd gain any benefit from modifying the engine for the 
    problem I'm trying to solve. 
    
    I think I'll take the advise of .1 and try it as is. I don't think
    we'll take the water skiing too seriously and we can always make
    a big pair of skis. Also, when I was a kid, a friend had an underpowered
    boat abd we had a lot of fun on a disk and a pair of really big 
    crude skis. As he went through an infinite series of upgrades, it
    never seemed that the increase in fun matched the increase in
    expense.
    
    Thanks for the advise/info. 
    Jack