GW Seafarer 227 Slow to Plane

[CptRedBeard]

Hi all, first question here, so thanks for reading.

I'm operating a Grady White 227 I/O, Volvo Penta DP-C, powered by a late 80's Chevy 350 (5.7L). I'm noticing that regardless of trim tabs being fully "bow-down," the boat is having trouble getting up on plane. The more weight, the more difficult it is to plane out - I think that's normal? However, the weird part for me is that it does always seem to get on plane, with varying difficulty. With several passengers at full throttle it will plow at about 2600-2800 RPMs, then all of a sudden jump to about 3200 RPMs and plane off quickly. Not sure what's preventing the engine to reach higher RPMS at first, or what is allowing it to increase RPM, with no apparent change in conditions when it does jump.

Any ideas??

 

[Maclin]

Welcome Aboard!

What propset do you have on there? (Bx, Cx)
How much throttle are you giving it? Does the engine bog if you open it up full or almost full throttle? Does it act differently if you gradually open the throttle? Just thinking it could be a carb adjustment is needed for the secondary opening rate.

What is the model number of your engine? (AQ271, DP570, etc.)

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Sounds like ya got some issues,.....

Tell Us the service history of the motor,....
What are the Wot Rpms,..??
What's the prop pitch, 'n drive ratio,..??
Any sealife livin' on yer bottom,..??

Have ya tried Less tabs,..?? I don't think my barge would plane at Full down tabs,......

 

[CptRedBeard]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting a hold of the engine and prop model numbers. Any advice on finding those items? Engine was a rebuild about 500 hours ago. This season it got manifolds, risers, thermostat, water pump, starter, and a new Edelbrock Carb. Carb has never been professionally adjusted, I'm thinking that's a leading suspect. No Sealife growing on the bottom, no excessive water in the bilge.

Once on plane, WOT gets me to about 4200 RPM. I think this is pretty low, and the controls could be adjusted. If I'm plowing, WOT may be as low as 2200. I did also notice that when I backed off the throttle last time, RPMs increased a touch (~500), making me think this is a fuel/air mixture issue.

Here's the weirder part: I've noticed that this issue only occurs on the first attempt at getting up. After the boat has planed once, it jumps right up after that (e.g. after I slow down for a no wake, she hops right up when throttling up again. I'm thinking a few things might be at play
1) Once I adjust trim tabs and they're not at Full Down that might be making it easier to plane, as per Bondo.
2) Temperature issue? Not sure what role this is playing, because I'm warming up to temperature before leaving the dock.

 

[dingbat]

Something isn’t right.....

i run a 226 Grady with a 200 HP outboard.

Dont need or use tabs tabs to get out of the hole. Boat will jump right up on plane from any speed.

WOT of 5500 @ 39-40 mph.
Cruise 4300 @ 32mph

What prop are you running?