There is a 66 pound weight gain in the 200 (3.0 ltr vs. 2.5 ltr) and a 17 kW difference. Based upon the kW difference, the real measure of power, the calculated equivalent difference is only 22.8 horsepower (actually less than the 25 advertised). Horsepower is great, but the real measure with an assumption of everything else being equal is kW which can be converted to foot pounds per hour. Then you can take a weight, say 2300 pounds for a P2 and figure out how far in feet you can move it in an hour. Divide that by 5280 feet per mile and you can determine miles per hour to move X weight. Professional cyclists like Lance Armstrong went to watt calculations long ago to measure power and production. Gear ratio for 175 (1.87:1) vs. 200 (1.75:1) should result in a higher potential top speed for the 200 even with the same horsepower assuming you can actually turn the gear at max rpm and everything is equal which it is not because the 175 has a higher max rpm. Of course, rpm will be determine in part by the size wheel you try to turn. Now, based upon my very bad math and several very broad assumptions which I will disclose, the maximum increase would be 4.9 miles per hour. That assumes, identical weight, gearing, prop, conditions and rpms at the top end which is what we are really talking about. The P2 w/ 200 tested at 71.2 at total weight of 2340 lbs. A Champion 183 Elite w/ 175 ProXS tested at 62.9 at a total weight of 2235. A Ranger 198 tested at 64.2 with an undisclosed total weight (almost 200 lbs heavier dry weight) running the 200. Based on these tests, I suspect that the boat characteristics and prop will have a greater impact on top speed than the difference between the motors. Besides, I want them to figure out how to dress up the Sabre so that the Coasties will approve either the 200 or 225! 18 feet 7 inches with a 94 inch beam would get us to 200. John
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