Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

[CaptainMak]

In the process of buying a used 2001 Stingray 220LX with a new 5.0 Merc in it with only 30 hrs on it. Took it to lake test it, and the thing took about 45 seconds to get up on plane. Is this normal for this boat ?

The widow of the original owner says it has always done this from day one (they are original owners) but to me that seems like a long time for such a boat.

The engine revs up to almost 5000 rpm, but the boat feels like it's not going anywhere. Once on plane, it takes off like crazy and I had to throttle it back to 3k rpm. Brand new SS prop. 19 pitch

Anyone with this boat, is this normal ? Any input appreciated.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Doesn't sound anywhere near normal to me. Is the trim working properly?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Typical Stingray. The manufacturer advertises the boat as a fast runner with good fuel economy. And, they are! The problem is they prop them from the factory for maximum speed, not necessarily practical usage. They work fine with 1 person aboard and no gear.

Not really a problem - you just need a different prop!

 

[NYBo]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

I don't know, Jim. A 19" pitch prop isn't that radical. Even my carpy boat with a 17" prop gets on plane in around 1/10th the time the OP is reporting. I think something else is going on here. Extremely bad weight distribution? Improper trimming procedure (not starting with the drive trimmed all the way in)?

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

I tried it both ways with the trim. First, with trim about 1/4 out then thinking I'm doing something wrong, with the trim all the way in.

The engine raced both times at roughly the same rpm, but the boat was barely moving. Not sure is something wrong with the prop hub, but that's all I can think of.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Typical Stingray. The manufacturer advertises the boat as a fast runner with good fuel economy. And, they are! The problem is they prop them from the factory for maximum speed, not necessarily practical usage.

This is somewhat true; Stingray shipped my 195CX with a 23P 3 blade prop, which I switched out for a 21P 4 blade. Still, there is no way a 220 with a 5L should be taking even close to 30 seconds to get on plane. I am with Bob, a 19P does not sound outside of normal to me. My boat was still plenty capable of getting up with 4 adults aboard, gear for a weekend island camping trip, the 23P prop, and a 4.3...

There is something else involved here. Trim? Prop hub? Something.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

...The engine revs up to almost 5000 rpm, but the boat feels like it's not going anywhere. Once on plane, it takes off like crazy and I had to throttle it back to 3k rpm...

If the engine can get to 5000 rpm and not get on plane, as in still under 20 mph, the Prop and the water are not connecting. It is either ventilating badly, or the hub has spun.
At WOT, 3000 rpm is more like the MAX an engine will turn while climbing out of the hole.

Are you sure it is Trimming IN = DOWN = Drive Closest to Transom.
Is the prop still in good shape? Not beat to death?

Mark the Hub and the prop, If the two marks do not stay aligned, the hub is slipping.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

If the engine can get to 5000 rpm and not get on plane, as in still under 20 mph, the Prop and the water are not connecting. It is either ventilating badly, or the hub has spun.
At WOT, 3000 rpm is more like the MAX an engine will turn while climbing out of the hole.

Are you sure it is Trimming IN = DOWN = Drive Closest to Transom.
Is the prop still in good shape? Not beat to death?

Mark the Hub and the prop, If the two marks do not stay aligned, the hub is slipping.

Great idea about marking the prop location. It actually does feel like the prop is just spinning and not making much "contact" with the water.

yes, the trim is all the way in/down. physically checked it.

The prop is brand new, shiny, no chips, or scrapes. The previous owner did mention that the shaft was redone when he replaced the prop, making me suspicious.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Did some digging around the internet for more reasons, one that jumped out was that the engine coupler might be offset in this boat. The owner says the motor was replaced not too long ago

Is there an easy way to check the alignment of the motor and drive and the engine coupler condition ? If so, how ?
Just trying to weigh my options on whether to go ahead with the purchase of the boat or not.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Start with the easy stuff before worrying about something else. The simplest check is to mark the prop and hub. run the boat. If the lines stay aligned, it isn't the prop. But a 19P prop does not seem correct for that boat. Next step is to stop at a marine dealer and see fi they have a prop or two you can rent or borrow for a day. 21P and 23P would be suggestions. See what happens. If the prop was the issue, fix the existing one or buy the one you like from the dealer (be a sport here -- they helped you).

 

[Maclin]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

What speeds do you attain once on plane when you have to throttle back?

My feeling is that once a coupler in an I/O slips that's it, it will always slip, and slip BAD, after that. A prop hub can sometimes take some load but then slip later, but at some point the load it can take gets too low to even try to move the boat past displacement speed. With certain hulls too low of a pitch prop behind a good running engine can ventilate or cavitate at consistent RPM's and confuse the symptoms even further. I also agree with others and think a 21p or 23p would be, or should be, better choices for your boat and that the 19p was tried at some point and never changed back. Maybe the drive was changed out at some point and the ratio is not in the correct range now.

I think you have a prop problem, and I base this opinion on the first two "facts", the third "fact" can be a factor but since the engine can produce power once the prop catches so to speak (still need to know what speed is attained) I tend to think it is not a factor.....


"The widow of the original owner says it has always done this from day one ..."
"The previous owner did mention that the shaft was redone when he replaced the prop..."

"The owner says the motor was replaced not too long ago...."

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

What speeds do you attain once on plane when you have to throttle back?

Good input Maclin. The reason I am asking about the coupler, is that the motor was put in by a certified Mercruiser shop, so I have no worries there. My concern is that the owner says that the prop was refurbished not too long ago together with a NEW PROP SHAFT. The owner also says nothing was ever hit with the motor, but you never know what people say just to sell you their boat.

How much does it cost to replace a coupler (hrs or $$) if it IS the problem ? I can possibly negotiate a lower price with that in mind. As far as testing the prop hub, can I do this in the driveway on muffs ? Lock the prop in gear and turn it by hand ?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

This one sounds worthy of a water test with a mechanic, and a consult with whoever put in the motor. If not you may always wonder what is an aspect of a Stingray hull and what is because if the work done.

That is not way of relaxing and having a great time on the water, if your constantly wondering about what is going on.

Also, any warranty on the work?

Also, Which model stainless prop?

The common complaint about Stingrays is needing a higher rate of speed to hold plane and inability to trim them up for speed, not no hull shot. That may be on the prop or may be another issue.

You do not often hear about people needing to put on new prop shafts. Are you sure they are talking about the actual shaft coming out of the out drive or the brass piece that goes between the prop up and the out drive?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

A 2001 5.0 220 LX should have come stock with a 21 pitch aluminum prop and run about 54 MPH with a medium load:

Stingray Boats - 2001 Power Options

Thus, a 19 pitch stainless would be the ideal place you would start with a stainless prop. Depending on the type of prop, and whether vented or not and the size of the plugs, it sure could be a dog out of the hole, but I would have expected you to break 55 / 56 with the stainless prop if planning and running at 5000 RPM.

FYI - When I spun my prop I could not get up to speed. Anything more than idle and it sounded like the boat was spinning out.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

FYI - When I spun my prop I could not get up to speed. Anything more than idle and it sounded like the boat was spinning out.

EXACTLY what this one is doing. At idle speed it works fine, the boat will cruise about 4-5 mph, but when I gave it some throttle, the thing shot up bow up and sounded like the engine was in neutral. I

I'll get more info from the owner whether they meant the actual shaft or just the hub insert thinga-ma-jiggy.
That COULD be what they meant. Also, they said they had an old prop which is an option to put on and try it that way.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

I just would not expect you to eventually reach full speed if the prop was spun and it sounds like the boat really started moving after a while. It makes me think that is may be a high end prop with these:

PVS - Performance Vent System | Mercury Marine

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

First off-- our old Bayliner 175 with a 3.0 four-banger was on plane within 3 seconds, and within 6 seconds with 7 people on board.

As for spun hubs and couplers. I've spun a couple of hubs, and there's no way no how a prop with a spun hub is ever going to spin fast enough to put a boat on plane.

Now, I've never spun a coupler, but, a major difference between a hub and a coupler is the hub is under water, the coupler is not. And I don't know this to be true, but it seems entirely logical and feasible to me that since rubber coupler isn't subject to water cooling or lubrication, that simply spinning the daylights out a spun coupler MAY cause the rubber to melt down enough for the thing to actually grab...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Something else to consider...

What Outdrive is on this boat. Alpha? Beta?
What is the gear ratio of the drive?
If it is too low, the prop may be over speeding for conditions and Cavitating.
Once the water speed increases enough for the prop to bite, off you go.

What results do you get if you add power more gradually instead of punching WOT from Dead stopped?

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Something else to consider...

What Outdrive is on this boat. Alpha? Beta?
What is the gear ratio of the drive?
If it is too low, the prop may be over speeding for conditions and Cavitating.
Once the water speed increases enough for the prop to bite, off you go.

What results do you get if you add power more gradually instead of punching WOT from Dead stopped?

The outdrive is an Alpha, and as far as the ratio, I believe it's 1:1 (??). I'm sure the Mercury authorized shop that did the motor swap would know to put in the correct motor for that drive. I believe it still might be under some kind of warranty.

UncleWillie, gradually adjusting the throttle (and I mean GRAAADUALLY), eventually got us up on plane until we hit big wake from a big boat that went by. I had to throttle back to idle so my kids wouldn't fly out over me and into the lake. After that I didn't have enough patience to get it back on plane, so instead took her back to the ramp at idle speed with no problems.

 

[CaptainMak]

Re: Stingray 220 LX takes over 30 seconds to get on plane

Sick Willy,...Yes. When inspecting the prop I saw that plug in the side of the prop. Wondering if the original owner forgot to block the vents when changing out the prop