What can you tell me about them? I know there are a few people on the board that have had them at one point in time or another. How fast would one be with a 2.4 200 Merc O/B? How do they handle rough water? Any issues other than standard old boat stuff? I would assume they're well built...
Thanks!
David

I'd guess about 60mph? Like all Sutphens they probly go well in bigger water when you know what you're doing. Good luck

with a 6'' set back at 26'' for a 20'' shaft outboard it will get into the 70's

I have an 1981 20' with a 275 Merc. o/b. I can get about 73mph out of her. This is with the motor mounted directly on the transom with no barcket or jack plate. It handles the rough water very well for the size and is a blast to bounce around out in the L.I. sound. I mainly run on lakes and rivers and could not ask for a better boat. Hopefully I will be able to properly rig her with a bracket and plate someday and maybe see 80. I am only turning 53-5400 rpms at 73 but it starts dancin' so I am pretty confident with the right setup I could get close to 80. As far as the build quality its 28 years old, all original except for the fuel tank and still gets compliments every time I take it out.

Cool, thanks for the info. I assumed the build quality would be good, since it is a Sutphen...

It sounds like setback is the way to go. Are tabs necessary? How about a jack plate?

Thanks!
David

i have the fifth o/b made by sutphen in 1979 a 6'' manual jack plate is the way to go this way you can adjust engine height idont think you will need tabs how ever sutphens are bow heavy you will need aprop that will give you bow lift powerboat magizne tested this boat in 1979 and found it went 1 1/2 mph faster with 1 persn in the frot and 1person in the back seat as opposed to both in the front

Can you pretty much set and forget the engine height or do you need to adjust it while running? We'd have access to a hydraulic plate, but it sounds like it might be possible to leave the engine alone once you get it at the right height.

Thanks for all of the advice! Any photos of your boat?
David

once you dial in the boat you will not need ahydrolic jack plate cmc makes various size manual jack plates for about 250 to 300 for allaround use you will be happy if you would like to contact me my email is [email protected]