90 hp Force 18' Bayliner prop and stabilizer Q's

[mlawson231]

I have a 1990 18' Bayliner Capri with a 90 hp Force outboard. The prop that is on it has a 15 on the side, but I am not completely sure about the size or pitch.
The boat goes 32 mph, and 35 mph when I am making turns (don't know why). The prop has several small nicks and dings on the cutting edge of the blades.
After reading several posts on this site I am beginning to wonder if my boat should be going faster, after all it only weighs 1800 pounds. I also wonder if I would benefit from a hydro stabilizer.


Does 32 mph sound right for this boat?
What size prop should be on the boat?
and finally, should I get one of the hydro stabilizers I have been reading about. My boat really seems like it is pushing a lot of water and I have always wished that I could get it up out of the water a little, I mean I have water spraying 6' in the air right beside me when I drive. Does anyone else have a boat like mine that has tried a hydro stabilizer?

Just looking to get a little more performance from my boat.
thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: 90 hp Force 18' Bayliner prop and stabilizer Q's

Ayuh,... "Read This First"

 

[steelespike]

Re: 90 hp Force 18' Bayliner prop and stabilizer Q's

I have a 1990 18' Bayliner Capri with a 90 hp Force outboard. The prop that is on it has a 15 on the side, but I am not completely sure about the size or pitch.
The boat goes 32 mph, and 35 mph when I am making turns (don't know why). The prop has several small nicks and dings on the cutting edge of the blades.
After reading several posts on this site I am beginning to wonder if my boat should be going faster, after all it only weighs 1800 pounds. I also wonder if I would benefit from a hydro stabilizer.


Does 32 mph sound right for this boat?
What size prop should be on the boat?
and finally, should I get one of the hydro stabilizers I have been reading about. My boat really seems like it is pushing a lot of water and I have always wished that I could get it up out of the water a little, I mean I have water spraying 6' in the air right beside me when I drive. Does anyone else have a boat like mine that has tried a hydro stabilizer?

Just looking to get a little more performance from my boat.
thanks

Are you trimming out when at speed?
Sounds to me like you have a distorted hull.Probably a hook in the bottom.A concave spot just ahead of the transom.With the boat on the trailer put a straight edge at least 3 ft long paralell to the keel in a few places along the transom bottom.Does the floor seem soft?Stringers may be weak allowing the bottom to flex when underway.The hydro foil won't help.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 90 hp Force 18' Bayliner prop and stabilizer Q's

I will make a couple of assumptions

1. Your 90 has a 2 to 1 gear ratio--fact
2. Your 90 is turning 5000 RPM at wide open throttle--assumption based on hull size
3 Your prop is 15 pitch--possible fact, 15 stamped in side.

Given these three assumpions (and assuming makes an ***-u-me), with a 10 % slip factor, the theoretical top speed of your hull would be 32 MPH.

Speedometers are notoriously inaccurate AND If the speedo pick-up is mounted significantly off center, when turning to one side, it may show a higher speed. Turn the other direction and it may show a slower speed.

 

[mlawson231]

Re: 90 hp Force 18' Bayliner prop and stabilizer Q's

Thanks for your help everyone. I know I left a lot to assume in my post, but the boat ran around 38 mph when I got it a couple of yeats ago. I talked to the local bayliner dealer and I have come up with a couple possibilities, the prop that I have now looks like a serrated knife it has so many pits in the cutting edge of the blades. I didn't realize that this could be such a big issue.

I used epoxy putty and a file to get my prop really smooth today and I am excited about trying it out now. I know what you all will probably say about the epoxy, so don't worry, as soon as i get the money I am getting a replacement prop.

The other possibility was dirty carbs since the boat has been sitting for about 8 months.

Any advice on cleaning the carbs?