dave911

It really comes down to market positioning. If I owned the Sutphen label, I'd go hard on performance to extend the performance halo around the brand. In my mind, Sutphen isn't for first time boat owners, it's for people who know and love speed with a safe ride.

These are all just my opinions. For better or worse. I do come from 6 years in marketing for Kawasaki Motors, and I know we'd never market a new Ninja that wasn't the clear class leader...

floatingphil

A 20 equiped with a 500HP would be a fast little boat but also need tabs and hyd. steering. You will add (don't trust my figures) about $20,000 to the price and 400 lbs to the transom. The small block boat would likely out run it in the swells.

Stormrider

Dave, how fast is your boat?
And I think 70s for a 20ft boat is performance minded.
My 24 pantera ran mid 70s w/ tabs and full hyd steering and was just about getting to be a handful. Mid 80s would almost seem scary.

Forget what the engine is, its the performance that matters.
The Extreme 29 does 82-83 w/ a stock 496 Mag 425hp. Sounds performance minded to me. Sure w/ a merc 600 or ilmor it'll do 100, but low-mid 80s w/ 5yr warranty sounds good.

I'm not saying I'm not for bigger HP, but does this 20ft boat really need it?

dave911

My 1972 18' Sutphen is running about 65mph with a 320 HP small block. The Volvo drive probly keeps the speed down from the supposed 75mph the new 20 is hitting with the same HP?

But more importantly, before I get off the podium, it's not about what is "needed", it's about what people want.

Does anyone need a 195 mph Suzuki Hayabuse (with 190hp) for street use? No, but Suzuki sold over 10,000 last year.

That Sutphen 20' is the only "new" one I've seen, and it makes me snore! Why not something that does 100mph, like the Nordic at the following link?
http://nordicpowerboats.com/21.html
100mph will get people interested, and getting people interested is the key to selling. No interest, no sale.

Stormrider

Dave, how's your boat run at 65? Can I assume you're happy with it since you haven't upgraded to more power?

I also think 55-60 for a 20ft is rediculous also. This boat as is, is better than a 18 or 22 donzi, which are both much more $, and no better in performance.

I think 90-100 in the 20 is insane.
I'd like to do those speeds, but in the 32 Sutphen.

If the 20 is really doing those speeds w/ the 6.2, then its efficient, and Rich Jr. didn't think its necessary to add 15-20g to the price to do 90mph.
And the powerplant isn't exciting, but it works for this boat.
You could always buy the boat as is, pull and pickle the motor, build a 500hp small block(for wt savings) and put on hydaulic steering and you'll have a screamer. Then when u sell the boat throw back in the pickled sb.

BTW, you're right, no one needs a 195mph Suzuki, but they want it.
But even less will want a 195mph Vespa.

Don't get me wrong, not that i'm comparing this 20 to a vespa. But most guys who want a good offshore boat doing 90+ don't want to do it in 20ft.

dave911

All good.
Opinions are like butt-holes. Everyone's got one and most stink (probly mine especially)!

Mike_99_21

My 20' runs about 72-73mph with a 275 Merc on the back. I know I need to do a little setup work since it is mounted right on the transom but I am happy with the performance and it is stable at 70. Once you get over that it starts to chime walk but it is not the hull. I desperatly need a jacking plate if I want to achieve higher speeds. I think with the right setup I could easily achieve 80-plus since I am only turning the old Merc about 5200 to 5300rpm's. From what I am told that motor should be turning around 6200. But I am extemely happy with the boat and the way it performs the way it is.

floatingphil

The price of $35,000 on the 20 is great! But we need spy photos of the new 21. Adding freeboard and length is going to make it a more capable boat, especially with the type of power that dave911 wants to see. Maybe even an S.O.B. Racing Edition?