This review is directed to help those unsure of whether or not the copperhead 23hp will push their boat and load weight at a respectable speed but it will also contain a complete review of the engine.

For starters the copperhead is set on a 1670F 1997 Landau Jon: Specifications, 48in bottom, 70 inch beam, 16 inch transom, the boat hull empty weighs in at 260 pounds, however with the false aluminum floor, we will call it 280 pounds. The engine itself tops the scale at approximately 140 pounds ( running a 10 pitch prop ) That being said hull + engine dry weight equals 420 pounds. Obviously this hull is not a mud hull but it should still give you a general idea of weight displacement speeds with the engine.

My "light gear load" = 1 person at 140 pounds, one battery at 40 pounds, full 6 gallon gas tank at approx. 40 pounds, tools at 5 pounds, and a small cooler at 10 pounds ( Total load + Dry Hull = 655 pounds)

The two person load weight is the "Light gear load + 1 person" average of 200 pounds. (Total load + Dry hull + 1 person = 855 pounds)

Finally the hunting load consists of sum of previous two person load at 855 pounds plus 3 dozen decoys at 25 pounds, 2 hunting gear bags at 10 pounds, cooler change to 20 pounds, guns about 15 pounds, and misc. at 15 pounds ( Total = Hunting load plus previous 2 person load = 940 pounds total)

Total boat displacement at 940 pounds

Speeds:
- Light load = 26.5mph in shallow water and 25mph in deep water if calm
- 2 person light load = 24.5mph in shallow water and 23.5mph in deep water if calm
- 2 person hunting load = 22mph in shallow water and 21.5mph in deep water if calm

I am very impressed with those speeds on a stock engine, the engine itself has functioned flawlessly so far, not a single hiccup. Since the engine is brand new I have not had to deal much with copperheads customer service however I have only heard good things and when talking with the guys before the purchase they always replied to my emails within a few days. Engine chassis with granite finish seems to be fairly durable, the exhaust is stainless (new addition from vanguard), obviously no issues with that yet. My only complaint so far pertains to the tiller handle. The blots allowing it to adjust that hold it in place vibrate loose when running the engine. I lost one but they are easily replaceable, you can find them at any hardware store, I put a low level thread lock on them and re-tightened them down, should do the trick

Good review! It was good in the other thread aswell

Dang good speeds! That was my second choice for my heavier 1648 grizzly, ended up with a BW 26.5....as I get older I am leaning more to easier and the Copperhead looks like the ticket, for a while there I was excited that they might produce more 28 HP motors but that did not happen.

Get 20 mph by myself, 18 two hunters and gear.