[660084]

I am looking at a 21 contender that was repowered with a brand new ETEC 150hp. Its very reasonably priced especially for having a brand new factory motor. I am worried it is underpowered and wont even be that efficient having to run at a higher rpm to comfortably push the boat. Any first hand experience with this setup?
Thanks

 

[gebby]

i think it is underpowered

 

[Fishbust]

Center console? MAXIMUM RATED POWER!

Not underpowered, depending. Especially if the price is RIGHT. The 20 grady walkarounds (W/A's are very bow heavy) are sold out the door with 150's, as are every other 21 foot stock package out there.

What are you gonna do to it and how are you going to load it? Likely inshore a drfit here and a drift there, drop the hook a half mile saway over there, etc. You can even waterski with that package and a hydrofoil will have you pulling 2 skiiers out of the water. Been there. 99% of posters will tell you that little boat is way underpowered and you can't have too much power, in which case forget everything here and hang a 250 on it, or whatever the transom rated MAXIMUM is, in which case I would have 3 motors on my present boat (the max!). I have known some who had a 200 on a 21 W/A and felt it was too much. A 200 will burn 1 gph less at cruise than a 150 but that is a bow heavy W/A, a center console who knows, much lighter, more weight aft. See ya at the gas pumps.

Have fun with the new boat!

This post edited by Fishbust 05:50 PM 08/13/2008

 

[KingKeith]

what's the weight, my father has a 21 wellcraft with a 115 and then repowered with a 120 and it cruises 4200rpms at 22kts and weighs at least 2000lbs

 

[Seajay2]

Depends, you want to hit 50 mph, it is underpowered. If your happy with a reasonable cruise speed it will work just fine.

 

[bigfish123]

Not underpowered

And etec are great engines

 

[huricane]

Underpowered

Just my 2cents but I would not be asking people who don't have your exact boat and are just guessing I would call Contender in Florida and talk to someone who does this for a living and get a professional opinion Good Luck

 

[Scott1280]

Rule of thumb (as I learned it) is that the "right" engine for a CC is 75% of it's max power rating. If the boat has a max rating of 200HP, 150 is perfect. If it was rated at 300HP, then it would be light. What's the max rating on the Contender you are looking at?

 

[buy2ls]

Usually the 21 with a 200 is a 45 mph boat. with that 150 although it is an etec I would say high 30's maybe 40mph top. Load it up with a bunch of people and gear? possible mid 30's top end, not really what the boat was meant to be, all in all the engine would probably be run at the top of it's range most of the time. If you are okay with that, then go ahead. They do put 300's on this hull and it will run 60mph, a 200/250 is probably ideal power.
FWIW

 

[outrageous21]

My 21 CC has a 200hp motor and tops out around 37mph. My 21 CC has a minimum hp rating of 175hp and a max of 250hp. With a full load of gas and 4 adults my boat prob would not even plane off with a 150. Why dont you take it for a test drive and bring the family to see how the boat reacts with a load.

An underpowered boat will cost you more in the long run, running at higher rpms all the time and the strain from pushing a boat on plane, will make your engine last 6yrs. You want the most powerful engine allowed on the boat

 

[cometport]

This boat's specs say 2300 'dry' and 3550 'ready to fish.

If dry (2300) includes the engine, the 150hp is fine. If not, the engine
adds 400-500 lbs.

So, the boat weighs 2300 + 500 = 2800/150 = 18.67 (slow but not
terrible)

If 3550 is more the accurate weight, then you will need something
like 3550/200hp = 17.75 (not bad), but Better with a 3550/225 = 14.88

A sea trial would be best, but weight divided by hp is a good reference
point.

The closer to 16 the better.

 

[DarthBaiter]

My 23' Contender likes to go fast. And from what I've read from guys with the 21' the 150hp is way under powered. it would take a long time for you to plane, and make you run at higher RPM to keep it in plane or to keep it from porposing. That hull likes to go fast and ride the tops of the waves(not talking big waves...) and if it doesn't it will pound.

 

[PAULN]

Think about why you would buy a Contender- To fish and go fast period--- If you want to cruise and have some comforts, forget the Contender- With a 150 you will not achieve the go fast part and these hulls need speed to run right....