More HorsePower!

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bnicov

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
348
Re: More HorsePower!

A 18.5ft'r with a 190hp 4.3 VP or Merc propped right will get you pretty close to 50mph, the MPI 4.3 with 220 ponies will get you into the 50s. It's plenty fast and besides, trying to mod a boat motor isn't quite as easy as doing one for a car. The power/torque curve requirements are a lot different and spending a lot getting some more ponies doesn't usually get more usable performance. I run 48mph trimmed up in my 18.5ft Larson fish'n ski with a VP 4.3GL (190hp) turning a 23pitch prop. With a 21pitch, I lose about 2mph BUT get up on plane much easier and pull tubes/skiers easier. I wouldn't want to go much faster as the hull isn't designed for really high speed but more for quick planing and comfort, as well as a nice dry ride. Also, getting up past 35mph, you can see the fuel guage quickly make it's way to empty and when it costs about 150 loonies to fill the tank, I don't go that fast other than a couple of times a year just to clear any cobwebs out of the engine.
 
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wagnerz

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
105
Re: More HorsePower!

impatico said:
I would like to go in the 50-60MPH range
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You don't need to get any special chip or anything like that, there are tons of 18 footers that can do anywhere from 50-60mph. I have a 20' bayliner and it will go over 50 pretty easily. I am sure there are many guys out there with 18 footers that can tell you about going 50-60mph.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: More HorsePower!

What he said ^^^^^
 
I

impatico

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
184
Re: More HorsePower!

bnicov said:
A 18.5ft'r with a 190hp 4.3 VP or Merc propped right will get you pretty close to 50mph, the MPI 4.3 with 220 ponies will get you into the 50s. It's plenty fast and besides, trying to mod a boat motor isn't quite as easy as doing one for a car. The power/torque curve requirements are a lot different and spending a lot getting some more ponies doesn't usually get more usable performance. I run 48mph trimmed up in my 18.5ft Larson fish'n ski with a VP 4.3GL (190hp) turning a 23pitch prop. With a 21pitch, I lose about 2mph BUT get up on plane much easier and pull tubes/skiers easier. I wouldn't want to go much faster as the hull isn't designed for really high speed but more for quick planing and comfort, as well as a nice dry ride. Also, getting up past 35mph, you can see the fuel guage quickly make it's way to empty and when it costs about 150 loonies to fill the tank, I don't go that fast other than a couple of times a year just to clear any cobwebs out of the engine.
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How do you like that boat for fishing? haven't found anyone to ask that yet...

there are regulations that the manufacturers have to follow, none that I have to after I buy something. I'm thinking I'll just get a 220HP merc MPI are these rated at the prop?

thank you all for the help so far BTW :)
 
J

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: More HorsePower!

If you want a fast 18.5er, find a low to mid level boat that will have a low dry weight and a 4.3 carb or mpi. You will hit 50 mph on the gps just fine. 50mph is easy, but 60 narrows down the candidates to very few if you can only find a 4.3.
 
Tahorover

Tahorover

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
572
Re: More HorsePower!

impatico said:
I live up in Prince George, BC Canada. no rules on anything to do with emissions for cars or boats :)

A little more info: Up here there are only a few lakes to go on so the boats you tend to see are usually all the same size 17-20 ft, I was hoping to be more in the 17-18.5 ft range, the problem for me is that I have been looking and all the new boats I found have the same engine options for the sizes, no one has a 4.3 for their 17.5 or any V8's for thier 18.5's so I want something just a bit better then the guy next to me at the boat launch. that is where all this came from



I apologize as I probably should have put that in the first post :facepalm:

I am looking at I/O bowriders with fish packages
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Go buy a 80's Formula F18, came stock with a 350/260hp
Thunderbird_450w.jpg
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: More HorsePower!

50 mph requires no mods.
My stock 3.8 V6 OMC goes mid 50s in a 1960s Grew 17.5 foot hull.

Those `chips`or other plug in mods appeal to the inexperienced.

Not to say there arent applications in the world where HP can be released electronically (especially in diesels)
 
W

wca_tim

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
1,708
Re: More HorsePower!

my 17 1/2 ft, 4.3 with a new, tight, vortec 4.3 in it would touch 60 gps on the right day, just me in it, etc... but runs a whole lot better with the small block that's in it.

find a nice, light, well-built hull in the 17-18 foot range with a shot 4.3 in it and drop a 350, 303, 406, etc... small block in it... it'll be hard not to hit 60+. note that there are not many factory boats that will hit an honest 60 gps, let alone much faster... most 60 mph boats are really 50 mph boats, etc... Just sayin...
..
 
B

bnicov

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
348
Re: More HorsePower!

The layout for fishing isn't too bad. It's not ideal but if you want ideal you have to get a fishing boat. No problem for 2-3 guys to be fishing, one off the front and 2 off the back. It's much more suited for tubing, skiing and family fun but it will get the job done for fishing. It has 2 deep cycle batteries under the back seat and a trolling motor on the front adding to the weight of the boat (probably 200+lbs or so) and with a full livewell another 100lbs or so. Look more at how the boat cruises and does the things you want it to. Top speed runs will be few and far between unless you like to rebuild engines and become best friends with the guys at every gas dock in the area. It has enough power for the size and with the 21p prop, it's great all around. I'd get a stainless prop but my boating is mostly in Georgian Bay and there are a lot of rocks all over the place so I play it safe and stick to aluminum. A stainless prop will give you an extra couple of mph too so if the water you spend most of your time in is devoid of rock and sunken logs, go stainless.
 
J

jkust

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 2, 2008
Messages
4,942
Re: More HorsePower!

wca_tim said:
my 17 1/2 ft, 4.3 with a new, tight, vortec 4.3 in it would touch 60 gps on the right day, just me in it, etc... but runs a whole lot better with the small block that's in it.

find a nice, light, well-built hull in the 17-18 foot range with a shot 4.3 in it and drop a 350, 303, 406, etc... small block in it... it'll be hard not to hit 60+. note that there are not many factory boats that will hit an honest 60 gps, let alone much faster... most 60 mph boats are really 50 mph boats, etc... Just sayin...
..
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are touching right at the theoretical top speed for a 4.3. If you want cheap and fast, get a Stingray with a 4.3, even with a carb it will touch 60.
 
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