5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

[Rugerdog]

I have a 1988 Sylvan 209 Barritz with a 5.0L GM motor. With a 14.25X19 3 blade SS prop(standard style, no fancy design/cupping, etc.). When not pulling a skier/tube it has decent out of the hole power and great top end speed(45+). BUT, last weekend I was trying to pull my dad on some skis and could only get him out of the water once. It's real close but just couldn't get that little bit more hole shot power to do it. A friend suggested just switching to a 4 blade of the same pitch.....Suggestions? Sorry for so long just need some more advice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

Ayuh,... Just drop down to a 17" prop, Just for Skiing...

 

[rrhodes]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

A lower pitched prop will also help your hole shot but without your current WOT rpm I am not sure how low you can go.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

Welcome,Please read the stickies at the top of the page.We need your present max rpm and speed lightly loaded.Some details on the boat ,weight?
style.Whats dad weigh,2 skies? How many people aboard?
To me a 5.0 should be able to do it.May be something other than prop selection,lots of weight,poorly place perhaps.

 

[Rugerdog]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

Boat is very similar to a Four Winns 200 Horizon. I have no idea what the WOT is for my boat...no stickers/tags on it anywhere, and it's in good clean condition. As for weight like I said it's close to the Four Winns. My dad weighs about 185 lbs. We tried with both 1 and 2 skis. I also have a 300 Sport SE hydrofoil on the outdrive, which I do like for faster planing. Overall I really like the current set-up just not the hole shot power. I plan on pulling a 3 person tube this summer for the kids so I really want to switch to a 4 blade. won't be pulling a skier very often, mostly the tube.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

We need your actual speed and rpm at wot not the rated rpm.
Yes a 17 will help your hole shot but you will need to watch your rpm.
It may be marked on the tach.To be consertive I'll guess 4,800.
While it appears you need some prop help.
Skier technique can help; be sure legs are bent arms straight, tips up don't straighten legs till really getting up speed.Brisk throttle neither jamming it on nor dragging excessively.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

If you've ever had the boat wide open, have you not looked at the tach??? That is what wide open throttle rpm is. The manufacturer has specified that the engine operating range at wide open throttle is some specific range (4400 to 4800 rpm at WOT). What we need to make any suggestions is what YOUR OBSERVED WOT rpm is. We can then compare what you see with what you are supposed to see. It is those two numbers that determine if you need to go up, down or sideways in pitch. But then, unless the engine is in the proper state of tune and developing full power, throttle plates actually open all the way, chaning props won't help. Before you spend big bucks on props, lets make sure you have the power to twist it.

 

[Rugerdog]

Re: 5.0L Sylvan can't pull up a skier

Had the boat out today. WOT seems to be 4500 and speed is 45-50.
Again not sure of the weight, I'd have to take to the local grain elevator and have it weighed....that is with my two kids, wife and myself aboard. It runs good throttle seems to working just fine and opening fully. I just can't get that initial uummppf to pop a skier up. I will mostly be pulling a tube with the kids anyway.