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1973 Johnson 20 HP

R

rday22

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Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I have a 1975 15 foot "Pleasurecraft" brand deep-V boat. (I cannot find the "Pleasurecraft" brand anywhere on the interwebbernet). It came with a 20 HP Johnson (model 20RL73A). We had some water pump issues, and got those solved. We put everything together, got it out on the water, and at full throttle we were lucky to get up to about 9 MPH. I can't imagine that a 20 HP johnson would only get me up to 9 mph.

So my son, exercising his 15 year-old's wisdom said "I have an idea dad". He took the cowling off, did something to the motor (he hasn't exactly explained to me what he did), and suddenly we took off - only to hear a loud "Snap!" and suddenly we couldn't move forward anymore. We could go in reverse, but forward is now out of the question.

Here are my questions

1. How fast should I expect a 20 HP Johnson to push my boat?
2. Any ideas on what "snapped"?

Thanks in advance.

Ross
 
Running on one cylinder---till he did whatever he did and the second cylinder started firing and it takes off.
Then something came apart or broke in the shift linkage. You will have to inspect it to see what that something was.

9 mph was because with only one cylinder firing it did not have enough power to plane the boat.
 
Who did the water pump work? Does the shifter move the lower portion of the rod up and down when you look at it with the little cover removed? Ask your son exactly what he did when he got the motor to run fast. Let us know. We are doctors, we have to ask questions first, before making an accurate diagnosis. Thanks, Tim
 
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