super tuning a boat

[phatmanmike]

super tuning in a car always meant better plugs, adjust timing, fill tires with more air for less rolling resistance.. well... what ways atre there to "supertune" your boat...i have a 16.5 foot CC witha evinrude 50 hp... here arre some questions<br />1. do those go fast hull paints really work?<br />2. will higher octane fuel do anything other than shrink my wallet?<br />3.um, well, i guess thats it, thanks...<br /> any other suggestions to make a boat more efficient would make me happy !

 

[walleyehed]

Re: super tuning a boat

The paints applied correctly work great...<br />The only thing high octane will do is more harm than good unless you raise your compression to meet combustion needs.<br />87 oct. and good oil....

 

[Bondo]

Re: super tuning a boat

1) Not Really, At Least in Your Application....<br />2) Waste of Money....<br />3) Balance your load, Remove Everything you Don't Need.... <br />Adjust the attitude of the motor for the Least amount of wetted surface of the hull.....<br />A Clean, Sharp Prop, Without Dings Helps....<br /><br />The Speed Paints might get you 100mph, If you were going 99mph before you painted...<br />But for You, It'll be a Waste of Gas Money.....

 

[walleyehed]

Re: super tuning a boat

I guess I missunderstood the question on the paint.......thought you meant how well does it stick.......sorry!

 

[lilthundr]

Re: super tuning a boat

Sounds to me like you want to go faster than your boat is capable of right now.<br />My advice is to keep the hull clean and waxed and save your money on gimmicks and get a 90hp motor.<br />Your boat is big enough for that kind of power.<br />I hope you wallet is too

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: super tuning a boat

actually im not looking just for speed, although speed is good, i am looking actually for effiency.. amd mpg, how to get the most with the least, and about the 90 hp .. i hade a 85 evinrude but it thought it was air cooled and decided water was bad, now its a paper weight..

 

[LubeDude]

Re: super tuning a boat

Never heard of an 85HP air cooled Evenrude, But could be wrong!<br /><br />Anyway back to the original question!<br /><br />If you are primarily looking for efficiency and speed, the ONLY way you are going to get there is if you up your HP! May people make the mistake of thinking if they have a smaller motor they will get better economy! This dosn hold true due to having to run the engine at WOT all the time to keep the boat at a reasonable speed! Out boards, (and inboards too) will use about half the fuel at 1/2-2/3 throtle than at WOT! Plus if you ever get caught in bad weather and need to head for port, its always nice to have the extra speed! I too believe a 90HP would be a good choice!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: super tuning a boat

Lubedue, all outboards becoem air cooled if the water stops flowing, and then become paperweights. I think that is what phatmanmike was illuding to, it was not supposed to be air cooled. I guys you did not have your coffee before reading that HAHA!!<br /><br />All in good fun. Later

 

[LubeDude]

Re: super tuning a boat

I re-read the post!! Duh!! Slap, Slap!!<br /><br />Youre right, I hadnt drank enough coffee yet!!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: super tuning a boat

One of the most overlooked items on the boat is the boat's bottom - not a difficult thing to do considering it's usually under water. However, it's a good idea to check how straight the bottom is linearly, particularly the last 3-5 feet of it. Also, you can pick up a small bit of performance by blueprinting the bottom and making all the strakes and runners crisp and sharp at the edges. Requires some elbow grease and epoxy, but it can be worth it. Most glass boats come out of the molds with these edges rounded over - simply too difficult to get them sharp in a mold.<br /><br />Bottom line is that it IS a speed issue. Think about it - if you can go FASTER with the same power, then you're making more efficient use of that power and you'll be able to attain the same cruising speed you're used to while using less throttle...<br /><br />- Scott