Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

[UofM-fanatic]

I'm new to boating and looking for non-biased advise. I have a 1989 Four Winns 170 Freedom w/ a 2.3 OMC. It's slow out of the hole and I am seeking others personal experience(s) w/ 2.3L OMCs in trying to allieviate it performance deficiency. I am going to try a hydrofoil first since it is the least expensive add-on I've found; I have a Whale Tail XL on order now. Secondly, I was looking at changing props. I currently have an aluminum 13 1/4 x 17 on it. It runs about 33mph @ 5200-5300rpms by the gauges on the boat, though I don't know how accurate the gauges are. I do not know what the WOT for my motor is, as I could not find it in any of the documentation I have for the boat. I've found a great deal on SS Ballistic props and am considering purchasing one. I have been told that my rpms will increase with a SS prop over an aluminum one, so I will probably purchase the same size prop that I currently have in SS to be safe. Does anyone have any experience with this Ballistic props? <br /><br />Like I previously mentioned, I am new to this recreation and would appreciate any educated non-biased advise. Thanks in advance for your help. GO BLUE!!!

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

I had a Ballistic on my previous boat and it performed excellent. Got even better after I had it vented (drilling holes behind the blades for better hole shot). I would have a prop shop do this if you are new to boating. The only downside to the Ballistic's is that they are not repairable like most other stainless props (this is what 2 prop shops told me roughly 5 years ago). At that time they wer using a very cheap grade of stainless steel and there was not a way to weld onto it. Maybe things have changed since then. Perhaps some others with more recent experiences can comment.

 

[liner85]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

It is my (limited) understanding that a SS prop will actually hurt your hole shot (given the same dia. and pitch as your aluminum). Al flexes more than SS, so under load, the effective pitch of the Al prop actually decreases slightly (more so than for SS), helping you out of the hole more than the SS prop. On the flip side, SS may help your top speed, as it holds its shape and pitch better than Al. SS also has its advantages in terms of durability.<br /><br />Somebody please set me straight if I am wrong…

 

[tommays]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

if your really running 5200 rpm thats kind of high and i would not expect the motor to last very long if you run at that rpm for long periods of time<br /><br />tommays

 

[UofM-fanatic]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

I believe the recommended operating RPMs for my engine is between 5200-5600 RPMs, I am still waiting on a response from the manufacturer for confirmation. Does anyone know if I am correct on my assumption?

 

[michigan_state26]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

i own a 2.5 omc and my rpms are 4200 to 4600 at wide open throttle and ushould use a sst prop it will make it come alive and make sure that u change all the lube in the out drive to synthetic lube it works great and ps stay away from vented props they are for big horse power

 

[Lil Fesot]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

I have a 87 Bayliner with a 2.3L. WOT for the engine is 5200 -5600 rpm's. I believe mine max's out at 5400. My max speed is around 38 on the speedometer and GPS at about 34 or 35. I don't recall the Prop size but it is stock and not stainless.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Performance help for my boat, 2.3L OMC

According to my Clymer manual your 2.3 should rev between 5200 - 5600 rpms as you have stated.<br /><br />A whale tale will get it on plane in 1/3 the time. However, you may loose a little bit on the top end. Your current speed sounds about right, but a GPS is the only way to really get an accurate reading.<br /><br />For your motor, a stainless prop will not help much either way...but it sure looks cool!