water test ride performance

[Maxum21]

Hi, yesterdsy i went with a friend to look at a 1994 regal 196(19') bowrider with a 3.0 mer.. The boat didnt have an hour meter but we did take it for a test ride. it started, idled and accelerated ok, but it topped out a 23-25mph tops! I wasnt expecting a race boat here, but it should do better than that. It did hit 4200 rpms though.. could it just be a worn engine? or maybe need carb work/rebuild? if it was a carb issue, would it still hit 4200 rpms? the price was right, but the top end performance was iffy..any suggestions? thanks in advance

 

[Alpheus]

Re: water test ride performance

19' boat with 3 adults and a 3.0 is pushing it.

What were the water conditions?

Did the owner trim the boat for max performance?

My old 18' boat with a 3.0 would get up to 40 on perfect water conditions...

 

[fossill]

Re: water test ride performance

A 19ft boat with a 3.0L engine?? What were they thinking when they built that?
I'd keep looking. You really want a 5.7L V-8 in that thing, a 5.0L as a minimum.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: water test ride performance

pull in the anchor

 

[bruceb58]

Re: water test ride performance

How were you measuring the speed?

 

[jtmarten]

Re: water test ride performance

Unstrap the boat from the trailer and try it again!

What prop? Sounds like it may have a small prop for a better hole shot. A 3L is really underpowered for a 19 footer.

 

[hoot]

Re: water test ride performance

One of the mistakes when buying a boat (new or used) is not getting enough horsepower. The buyer thinks it will perform as he wants it to and then finds out that when you load the cooler, skis, jackets, dog, next door neighbors kids, etc it will not get up to speed. Good idea to take a test ride as you did. Another mistake is not looking at the engine compartment and asking yourself if you had to do maintenance, can you reach the starter, alternator, trim pump reservoir, bilge pump, oil dip stick, etc.. People buy the chrome, graphics and paint, and thoughts of the fun on the water.

 

[nitrosteve]

Re: water test ride performance

Its more than likely over propped maybe has a 19-21 on it and you aren't hitting your peak HP at 4200 rpm should be turning 45-4800 boat more than likely should run a 17p.

Did you trim it out for top speed? You can gain 5-6 mph and only see a 200 rpm increase. That being said trimmed out you could have been running 34-5mph @4500 and we wouldn't be having this conversation.

 

[Maxum21]

Re: water test ride performance

thanks for the replies.. its quite possible i didnt have it trimmed out correctly.. he had a spring loaded toggle switch rigged up for the trim motor..the switch on the throttle wasnt wroking i guess..but now that i think of it maybe i didnt trim it out enough..and i didnt check the prop size..it was in the water so i couldnt get too good of a look at it.. i'll have to ask or maybe go check out the boat again. thanks