Is my engine not doing it's job fully?

[tmh]

Re: Is my engine not doing it's job fully?

OK, guess I'll be busy for a while! I do need to check the actual weight. I'll find a place to do the weighings, but likely at least a few weeks before I have it out of the water.

The outdrive was "re-built" and quite a bit of engine work was done withing the past few years, however I don't know specifically what was or wasn't changed.

With ablative (???) bottom paint that is definately wearing off is there an impact on speed? It's not "flaking" as this is the kind that slowly washes away and along with it the slime, in theory. I will probably not get the bottom repainted, so I was kinda waiting for as much to come off as will, then get the rest cleaned off. I have no idea IF once you get down to "needs repainting" point for bottom paint it effects performance, or just stops working as an anti-fouling agent. Anyone know about this?

 

[Bry21317]

Re: Is my engine not doing it's job fully?

Does the boat stay in the Water?

It could be water logged or something could actually be on the bottom, if you have not taken it out in a while, out of the water that is.

Just thinking out loud.

Bryan

 

[tmh]

Re: Is my engine not doing it's job fully?

I just read in another thread somewhere that someone had less WOT rpm/speed than he used to have and he fixed the problem by discovering he had too much oil - when he put the proper amount in his problem was solved.

Could this be my problem? I checked the dip stick and it is a bit up over the full mark (cold engine). Do I test with the engine warm or cold? How much is overfill (on dipstick) enough to cause performance issues? Is reduced WOT rpm and speed possabily caused by this?

Thanks.

 

[tmh]

Re: Is my engine not doing it's job fully?

Well, months later and i think I've about given up on getting more top end out of my boat. I did do some of the checks and tune-up stuff, cleaned the hull, etc and still can't swing a 17" prop more than 4200 rpm or so and top speed about 39-40 gps.

A few things made me give up....first, finally had a chance to weigh my boat, came in at 4,000 lbs with a single-axle trailer (figure 700 lbs or so) which makes my boat 3300 lbs, a LOT for a 19 foot bowrider! Had maybe 8 gal gas and very little gear, maybe 100 lbs total. The boat is VERY heavily built and maybe soaked up a few lbs over the years, although I did remove a lot of wet foam last year.

Also, although top end is 39-40, i had 12 people in it recently plus some stuff (some big, some small kids) and it still hit 35-36 mph just fine. Tells me it has plenty of low-mid power at least. Doesn't sound like an engine that isn't producing.

I think my 305 200hp merc is maybe a bit off it's peak, but seems the boat is geared for power and weighs a lot. That's OK with me, just wanted to make sure.

Thanks for all the help!