First boat, first launch, more questions

[valencehsift]

I got my first water pump kit on and all is good. Now, this is my first boat so I have more questions. Does anyone have any idea what I can expect from this boat? It is an 18 foot Quantum around 7 foot beam with a force 150. When I had it out yesterday it is a lot slower then expected but it seems like it has more to go but I am not sure. The tach doesn't work and I dont think the rpm is accurate. Forgive my ignorance but the trim/tilt, what is the best position for it? Also, I have a pin hole in the gasket on the side of the motor that streams a tiny flow of water. Nothing substantial, do I need to take that entire thing off and replace the gasket? Or is there an alternative, the water pressure that flows from it is very weak.. Also the propeller is dinged in several places, I am sure I will need a new one. Which size and pitch would best suit the boat? Thx for any help!!
Harold

 

[MWBROWN]

Re: First boat, first launch, more questions

Hey,

There is a prop forum you should go to for the prop questions.

It would be a good idea to get your tach fixed so you know the rpm's your are running. One, to see if it doing well, another for the prop questions.
New props here at Iboats, and used ones on Ebay, and port city prop dot com does good reapairs, and can repitch if needed.

The water issue, I do not know about. Others will.

I would think that boat should move right along. Somewhere neat 40 or so, but I am not sure.

Have fun with it and be safe.

Mike

 

[steelespike]

Re: First boat, first launch, more questions

The first thing to check is the compression.This will be a good indication of the health of your motor.100 psi. is the ideal minimum, and even cyl. to cyl.
Trim and tilt setting is that which produces the best speed.Trim in for quick acceleration trim out to the best speed.
Difficult to tell where you are at without at least a guess at speed and a tach for accurate rpm. If you can't fix your tach.A tiny tach is a reasonable
easy temporary fix.My guess is under ideal conditions speed would be in the 40s.I don't know what the Quantum is like but weight and hull design can greatly affect speed.
Don't trouble shoot the ignition without a manual as improper handling can damage some of the force ignitions.
Clean the plugs, Take it for a run then pull the plugs and note their condition.
If the prop is dinged up get it repaired, can't be sure about replacement until we know how it performs with what you have.Over at the prop forum they can give a best guess based on the boat and the demensions of your prop, usually stamped on prop _ _ X _ _. (Diameter X pitch)