Ok I'm putting a small rig together. I need to stay light to jump dikes.

If you had two identical boats with identical loads, one with a 23hp vanguard mini, and one with the 25hp kohler mini. Both motors are stock except exhaust and kn air filter.

What one would perform better? Would the 23 be faster and the kohler have more low end? Would the kohler out perform it in all areas.

What one is known to last longer?

I'm not into modding at all. I have a 18 foot flat bottom with an old 35 hp mudbuddy and it's like a tank and good for hauling a bunch of gear and guys. So i need a solid small rig.

I have a 1548 riveted mod v jon. This boat is very solid and in excellent shape. The transom is rated for 35hp. So i know if I put a 175 lb mini on the back it will be ok.

any help will be appreciated. I just hear a lot about the kohler being slow and sluggish but lasting a long time. I wouldn't care if it was kind of slow I really want long term reliability.

Thanks.

The kohler is a very reliable motor with more bottom end torque...

The briggs has a pull start and more aftermarket add on parts available...

Tough call....

Why the 25 instead of the 27 kohler? Is that what's available to you? They're the same block, so the weight will be the same.

23 hp Copperhead.. FTW!

I believe they changed the way they calculate HP and now the 27 hp is the 25hp. Same exact motor as before just labeled different. So actually from my understanding everyone that bought the 27hp because it was a 27 got hosed out of 2hp.

I do like copperhead but i really need neutral.

Looks like they shifted everything down a series..the ch740 used to be the 27 hp model, now the ch750 is the 27, and the ch730 that used to be the 25 is now a 23.5.

And you are correct, they changed the way they rate the hp. There is still a higher hp model on the same block though, and an efi option..

Anyone on here running the kohler 25 hp (old 27 hp)? If so what size boat and how's it do?

I'm not real concerned with speed. I mean if I could get near 20 mph I'd be happy. All my spots are no further than a mile from the dock with most being less than half a mile away from the dock.

Fine for one man or two light. Fall off fast with a decent load.

1546 xpress jon, 27 mini (2009 era) runs 20 with 2, 17 or so with 3. Planes out fine with 2 or 3, solo you better have all your stuff up front. Does better with 2 than it does solo. Boat is only 318 lbs according to xpress. 4th person, lol, joke. Maybe 10 mph lmao.

My boat is also very light. I usually hunt with 1 other guy. Normal gear like decoys, ammo, guns, other miscellaneous shit. Only a couple times a year is there 3 of us. So i may go this route. Thanks for thr input everyone.