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I've owned a couple of the C23's. The last one had twin Zuke 140's and in a twin configuration this would be the minimum I would recommend. Twin 150's, 175's, or even 200's would be better and enable the boat to ride correctly based on the hull design. In the hp's I mentioned, You have to go with 2 strokes in the 200 hp range as any current 4 banger is going to be too heavy. Zuke 175's or Yam/Zuke 150's would be a reall nice combo. The Zuke 150/175 weighs really close to a OX66 or HPDI in similar hp. The 115's will be a disapointment for you. Good luck and the C23's are a really great boat.
If the peace of mind of having two engines is not the top priority, you won't be unhappy with the performance of a single 250 4S. With a really fully load boat it may have a tad slow hole shot but otherwise excellent.
Went to the dealer and he said he really does not like to sell the T/F150 setup as the buyers complain about the bad ride due to the excess rear weight. He says optimal performance & ride comes from the F250. He also said it would hurt the resale if the person buying it test rode it due to the bad ride???
__________________ '08 F250 King Ranch
'07 Contender 23 open F250
there is one with f-150's for sale in Mobile. been for sale for a while.
i have the 250 ox66 on mine and it does ok. i went fishing last saturday night and it averaged 2.2 mpg. i would like to see performance numbers with the f250.
there is a guy in the pascagoula area with one that had a ox 225 on it when he bought it. he repowered it with an f225. i'll see if i can find out what his mileage done after he repowered.
That is probably because he has one rigged with the 250 and is trying to get rid of it.
So your buddies rode good with the T/F150s? The weight difference is only around 300lbs so I can't see how that little weight woudl cause the difference?
I have a single OX 66 225, the power is a little low for the way the boat likes to run, fast and high in the water( on top of it). When the fresh water tank is full it rides like crap, the back end never gets up on top of the water like it likes to run. I would put the biggest single on it I could. Will they rig it with a 250 sx pro, That would be the cats meow . I would re power with one of those if I had the money. Oh yea I put on of those hydro foils on and it rides ssoooo much better, it take a lot less trim to get it to ride right. I don't use the tabs in the river and no more chime walk when not using tabs.
I have one with t 200's. While I think it is to much motor on the boat, it sure is fun to drive a rocket ship. I think t f150's would be a good power choice.
I'm sure you will get other replies, I have a 250 OX-66. The power is plenty. I have seen 50 with a very light load, but typically max around 44-45 with fishing load. Hole shot is fine. It is a bow light boat, so if I were going to put twins on it I would make sure you had plenty of power back there. The deep vee craves power and likes to run fast (that gets the bow down). I personally think twin 115's would be too underpowered and a lot of extra weight back there. The other options would be fine. A lot of folks think the boat performs better with a single than twins, but I think it does well with both. One thing to consider, by the time you put twins on a new 23 Open, you might be pretty close to the price of a slightly used 23 Tournament with twin F 150's....that would be my choice.
You'll get a little more hole shot from twins, but i think you'de be better off with a single 300 hp. Less weight, less drag, less cost and half the maintance. Better resale too. They just had a acticle on this in boats us about the difference in cost, performance, milage,and maintance. Just buy sea tow or boats us towing service.
contender 23 open power options 
. I would re power with one of those if I had the money. Oh yea I put on of those hydro foils on and it rides ssoooo much better, it take a lot less trim to get it to ride right. I don't use the tabs in the river and no more chime walk when not using tabs. 
