1988 Bayliner 125 c/c - Getting up to speed...

[svrdbayliner]

Hey there! Brand new to the site... Just bought my first boat last week. 1988 Bayliner Cuddy Cabin 125 force engine 19ft. Took it out with just my wife last week and it seem to run fine. Got up to 30 or 35 pretty quick and had no real problems.
Took it out again today with 4 people and could not get it to plane out or get up to speed. At first I thought it was a trim problem... I know very little about boats since this is my first one but assumed the engine needed to be trimmed all the way down. Finally got it up to speed after a few minutes but had to have every one stand near the front of the boat. Is this a prop issue? I believe it currently has a 21 prop on it. Do I need to go down to a 17 or something.
Thanks for all the help. -Randy, the new guy

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1988 Bayliner 125 c/c - Getting up to speed...

Welcome,we need you to be more precise.Accurate speed and rpm.Without rpm speed doesn't mean much without accurate speed rpm doesn't mean much.we need the prop size as well.usually on the barrel or under the prop nut.Probably the 21(if a 21) is too much but without the info a correct prop selection is a gamble.If you read the stickies at the top of the page and the helps on the iboats prop store page it will help you understand selecting a prop. We'll be glad to help.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: 1988 Bayliner 125 c/c - Getting up to speed...

Bayliner, if your gear ratio is 1.73:1 then you should running a 15" Pitch prop. If that is your gear ratio, let me know and I will give you the numbers.

H

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1988 Bayliner 125 c/c - Getting up to speed...

I know of NO stock Force 125 of that era that is capable of swinging a 21 pitch prop on a 19 foot boat within the factory stated RPM operating range at wide open throttle. If the current prop is indeed 21 pitch or even a 19 pitch, as stated above, you will need either a 15 pitch or a 17 pitch prop.

HOWEVER: Without a tachometer to give hard numbers, either choice is still going to be a crapshoot. --OK!--Informed guess.

Do not balk at the cost of buying or replacing a tach. It is one of the most useful gauges on the boat. With it, not only can you determine correct propping, but you can set trim for best performance and maximise fuel economy at cruise. A tach will let you know long before you would otherwise notice it of a negative change in engine performance.

Personally, when I am water skiing, I instruct the driver of my boat to tow me at a specified RPM rather than speed.