Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

[brandon19761]

Hello. I recently picked up a '95 Crownie 225 ccr in great shape. It has less than 500 hrs. 454 Non-mag, BIII, and 26P props, transom exhaust. I know these are supposed to have a decent hull design.
Well I'm only able to get up to 47mph via GPS at 4400 rpm's with 2 med size passengers.... The previous owner told me it would do about 55. Should I even bother changing props yet, or start working on the engine first? I've read of guys hitting 60mph with this hull and 454. I know I'm within the power curve of the 7.4 but could I benefit with going to a smaller pitch and bringing the RPM's up to 47-4800? BTW I'm In Idaho Falls, ID. Elevation 5500 asl. I was thinking about replacing the props anyways for I noticed mine are a little rough around the edges and starting to pit/crack a little.
My goal is 60mph top speed in the end...

I read the non-mag 7.4's are pretty doggy because of the small heads...

Thank you.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

The 454 RPM range at WOT is 4200-4600. So, at 4400 you are right on. 47 mph does sound a tad slow. So, maybe see if you have wet foam in the hull or something like that.

My 24 footer with 454 engine & 24 degree hull did 48 mph. The 454Mags supposedly would do 55 ish.

As for your goal . . . think about a 502 engine.

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

The 454 RPM range at WOT is 4200-4600. So, at 4400 you are right on. 47 mph does sound a tad slow. So, maybe see if you have wet foam in the hull or something like that.

My 24 footer with 454 engine & 24 degree hull did 48 mph. The 454Mags supposedly would do 55 ish.

Ok, I was thinking maybe the elevation was killing me... How do I check for wet foam?
I have yet to do a tune up. All I have done is change the oil and had the out drive checked/serviced, but I guess if I'm reaching the rpm's its probly ok? The previous owner said the plugs were fresh though.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

At 5500' with rough props you're doing pretty good.

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

At 5500' with rough props you're doing pretty good.

Whoops. I Lied. Just double checked. I'm at 4700' I'm sure the Dam I just ran at is at least 5k' though. Still up there.....
So would you suggest getting some fresh balanced props on before frowning on the boat?

 

[emilsr]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

Whoops. I Lied. Just double checked. I'm at 4700' I'm sure the Dam I just ran at is at least 5k' though. Still up there.....
So would you suggest getting some fresh balanced props on before frowning on the boat?

Either that, or have your current props freshened up. Chewed up props (even a little bit) are hard on drives, even if you can't feel the vibration from the helm. That' I'd go ahead and do....sooner rather than later.

The standard 454 is a great boat engine and will last a looooong time (properly maintained). Yes, you COULD "hot rod" it, but given the cast internals you'd probably be better off either starting from scratch or looking for a 454 (or 502) MAG. Honestly, if it was mine, I'd leave it alone. Spend your money on gas, beer and preventative maintenance. A 47 mph boat on the water beats a 60 mph boat in the shop any day of the week.

If you want a faster boat it's MUCH easier and cheaper just to get a faster boat. :laugh:

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

Either that, or have your current props freshened up. Chewed up props (even a little bit) are hard on drives, even if you can't feel the vibration from the helm. That' I'd go ahead and do....sooner rather than later.

The standard 454 is a great boat engine and will last a looooong time (properly maintained). Yes, you COULD "hot rod" it, but given the cast internals you'd probably be better off either starting from scratch or looking for a 454 (or 502) MAG. Honestly, if it was mine, I'd leave it alone. Spend your money on gas, beer and preventative maintenance. A 47 mph boat on the water beats a 60 mph boat in the shop any day of the week.

If you want a faster boat it's MUCH easier and cheaper just to get a faster boat. :laugh:

Yeah I see your point. Just want to make sure its running %100 up to par.

LOL. I have an Eliminator Daytona with a Built/Blown/Intercooled 502 that is scary fast. Has a broken outdrive though so as you said about boats on the water vs. in the shop... Ha ha.
The eliminator terrifies my kids, so I bought the crownline as the "family boat".

 

[emilsr]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

You did good. Those Crownies are nice boats, and not all that slow for what they are. I know of one like yours that was running in the mid 60's (at low altitude), but with about 500hp. Standard Bravo drive, but it wasn't happy. You MIGHT pick up a few mph by swapping to a standard Bravo lower....then again you might not. Certainly you'd lose some cruise performance as well as holeshot. Again, I'd leave it alone and enjoy it for what it is.

The air is pretty thin at 4700'. When we moved the boat from Lake of the Ozarks (650') to Elephant Butte, NM (4300') I lost about 600 rpm and 6-7mph. Sounds like your boat is running pretty good, but I'd still do something about the propset.

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

You did good. Those Crownies are nice boats, and not all that slow for what they are. I know of one like yours that was running in the mid 60's (at low altitude), but with about 500hp. Standard Bravo drive, but it wasn't happy. You MIGHT pick up a few mph by swapping to a standard Bravo lower....then again you might not. Certainly you'd lose some cruise performance as well as holeshot. Again, I'd leave it alone and enjoy it for what it is.

The air is pretty thin at 4700'. When we moved the boat from Lake of the Ozarks (650') to Elephant Butte, NM (4300') I lost about 600 rpm and 6-7mph. Sounds like your boat is running pretty good, but I'd still do something about the propset.

Ok. I'll have mine freshened up, or pick up another set and enjoy the reliability. I figured after 60 this hull would not be very stable. It's just different because the Eliminator being a tunnel hull is just getting moving at the time the Crownie is about to top out... Apples to Oranges of course.

Thanks for your info/suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

You're very welcome.

Give the Crownie a chance....you might decide it isn't so bad afterall cruising at 30mph.

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

You're very welcome.

Give the Crownie a chance....you might decide it isn't so bad afterall cruising at 30mph.

For sure. Time to break out the water toys!!

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

I agree sounds like the motor is running well for that altitude. I bet freshening those props up will help a little for speed, and the outdrive will be happier.

 

[brandon19761]

Re: Slow Crownline 225 ccr? Props, or engine?

I agree sounds like the motor is running well for that altitude. I bet freshening those props up will help a little for speed, and the outdrive will be happier.

Yeah after looking at the props again they are definitely due. The leading edges look pretty flat compared to new. I'm pretty sure nobody in my area refinishes/balances props so I'll be watching some on ebay!