I spend most of my time in this section of the forum so I will ask ya'll.

I have the opportunity to get a really nice 22 foot center console Sea pro, it is in great condition, 1 owner from new, has everything you need. But it only has a 125 Mercury Saltwater Series engine.

My friend John Varner advises to have at least a 200HP on this boat, but would like some other feedbacks. I doubt very much that I will have over four people on the boat at any one time, it does have three live wells, I don't use the one I have now, so maybe use one. I have no need to get across the lake at 60mph, it cruises at around 35 MPH with 3 people on. Which seems fast enough for me.

Any advise will be appriciated.

(Hey Steve, not sure if you got my msg, but I had sent you several before, and they must not of gotten through. E-mail me at huntfish@island.net, thanks.
David)

I run a 115hp Honda motor on our 20' BayStealth and its good enough for us. We ain't into racing much. I've been told that I could get a different prop for the boat and pick up some speed. If speed is the concern maybe you could go that route.

The only thing that matters is the fact you can go out and enjoy youself on the water. I have a 1979 ebbtide that works just fine.
as far as speed goes. unless you are into big money fishing, then you won't need the speed. If the price is right and you feel good about it--get it you can always trade up later.

35 MPH is fast enough for me. I normally cruise at 25-30 anyway.

Sounds like you may be on the borderline of low end as far as outboard goes. I have a F115 and mine is rated for a 150. My boat is a lot like Varner's. Don't get me wrong this CC is the perfect boat for me and my fishing activites. These boats take rough water and bad weather really well and that is the only time I wanted more speed in my previous bass boats. If you think its good for you then it proberly is. Best of luck on your choice.
Jim

The two best days about owning a boat. The day you buy one
and the day you sell it. Will 125 hp reduce the number of
possible buyers when it comes time to sell it ? Or will
gasoline be $ 5.00 and 125 hp will be what others really want.
I've got a 16' & a 90 hp it will run 40. I run it at
30-32 mph. The Boat Center mechanic said to run it at 5500 rpm.
There is not much to gain running at higher rpms.

The Ledbetter Legend.

i own a sea pro also and i love it. I have been in this same setup and i thought it was fine. If i can cruise at least 35 that is good. unless you are on a really long lake like travis. where you need to cruise at 45. with a 200 that boat will haul it. also like has already been said a 125hp uses a lot less fuel than a 200hp. I have ran both and i would say probably a third less. I think the bigger question would be if you want fuel inj. or not.

Here's the way it was explained to me when I bought my boat. I was planning on getting an eng in the middle range (merc 60) of the boats rating. But an experienced friend suggested that I would want FULL top end if the weather turned to carp, and we had to beat feet to the ramp.

I maxed out on my eng, and have only been surprised once by weather, and the extra hp was worth it..our range was 25hp-90hp.

Good luck

Mine is almost 22' (exactly @ 21'8") with a 130HP 4-stroke Honda. I like the boat alot for what I need and good on fuel. Test drove it when I bought it a year ago and it went up to 42 mph. But with 4 ppl and gears, I can get to 37 mph which is enough for me. But to be honest I do wish it comes with a 150-200HP when fishing big lakes like Texoma or Cedar which I fish a couple of times a year. SO it depends on what you will use it most.

Have you made any calls to dealers asking about a trade-in price?

You might be fine with the motor you have if its going to cost you 10 grand to get a few more ponies.

Short distances no need for speed. At 25 mph it takes 12 minutes to go 5 miles. If your buddy in his boat leaves at the same time to the hot spot an' he drives 35 mph (takes 8.5 minutes to go 5 miles) you will get there 3.5 minutes after him. Probably ain't worth the extra gas to arrive 3.5 minutes sooner. So if your boat mostly goes 35 mph and your only moving to different spots a mile apart on a smaller lake then your driving times will only be a 1.7 minutes. If you've only moved 5 miles from your launch you only have an 8.5 minute ride home.
Bigger lake, longer distances, more time and more gas with the bigger engines if ya wanna decrease the times. Turnymints for munny...different story.

Gas prices will go up.....an' up.

Have you test driven the boat? How long does it take to get up on plane? It is probably OK if it jumps on plane in a short distance. I have been in Varner's boat and it is a fine one in my opinion.
Check the 125 Mercury motor. There does not seem to be many of them on our area lakes. Ask Pat Goff, Michael Bristo, Or Rockwall Marine about the motor. They are very knowledgeable and will give you an honest answer. Michael will do a free inspection and I would take advantage of it.
Fish bite the best when the boat is still. 35 MPH is fast enough.

I almost sure that boat does not "cruise" at 35mph. "Cruising" is what most consider to be optimal speed for fuel effecientcy....somewhere around 3300rpm's on most rigs. To get 3500rpm's on that boat, your most likely going to be running about 22-24mph.

I wouldent want anything under a 150HP. I think you will use less fuel by going up to a larger engine because I doubt you will go 20-25mph when you cross the lake. Just my .02

That is plenty of motor. More than you need.

I once had a 24' Centry CC with a 115 Yamaha. It was all I needed (I didn't guide then, just me and the kids).

I've got a 200 Honda now and never max it out (more than I need now).

Now if you are a speed demon BASS Boat guy, well then you need twin 250's on a 17' boat.