I have a 1988 Baretta Supersport 185 with a puny 2.3L OMC / Cobra outdrive. I recently did a full tune up, changed water separator and inline fuel filter in carb. Engine fires first click and purrs. By myself in the boat, 4200 rpm wot and it flies. Anybody else in the boat and it runs at 3000 rpm and thats all she's got...unless my passenger goes to the bow.
I chatted with some engineer friends and decided there must be a weight issue in the boat. The previous owner had built a nice sunning platform above the engine, and changed the rear seats to a single bench seat in front of the engine. It looks awesome. Then I looked...it was all 2x4 framing, excessive. I purchased some aluminum to rebuild the framework that weighs less than a single 2x4. Photo shows what I removed. I'll keep you up to date with repairs.



I chatted with some engineer friends and decided there must be a weight issue in the boat. The previous owner had built a nice sunning platform above the engine, and changed the rear seats to a single bench seat in front of the engine. It looks awesome. Then I looked...it was all 2x4 framing, excessive. I purchased some aluminum to rebuild the framework that weighs less than a single 2x4. Photo shows what I removed. I'll keep you up to date with repairs.


