First time out!! Yeah baby!!

[jeepnsam]

Purchased my 95 Searay at the end of May 2010, spent the last month fixing all that needed to be fixed. Took her out first time today WOOOHOOO!!! I LOVE BOATING!!! man-o-man. 5000 rpm only gave me 35 mph on plane, but then again it's propped for towing tubes and stuff and operating range is 4200 to 4600. Only two people inside and only 1/4 tank of gas.

Now on the "notice-ables":

* definitely took a few cranks to start up...but after I gave her some gas..she fired up.
* temp stay at 140 thanks to the new impeller pump
* running 40 wt so oil pressure stayed around 35-40 psi all day
* no oil leaks thus far
* drained about 1/2 up of water from the bilge which isn't too bad..but I didn't change the bellows out yet. It's on my "winter 2010" project list.
* while trimming up to get on plane...i noticed the prop sounded like is was spinning out of the water. like a zzzzzzzzzzzzz sound. Was that cavitation???
My up trim only goes to high before the limit switch hits..and I was no way in trailer zone.

Sam

 

[superpop]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

What pitch prop are you running? 5000RPMs on that boat should be flyin. Your prop could be slipping based on some of your other comments.

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

It's an aluminum 4 blade 15 x 16 pitch prop.
It can with two of these 16 pitch props and one 3 blade 15 x 19 pitch prop.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

Congrats !!. from another Sea Ray owner.

while trimming up to get on plane...i noticed the prop sounded like is was spinning out of the water. like a zzzzzzzzzzzzz sound. Was that cavitation???

Yes. I wouldn't trust that gauge. I do it by the sound of the RPM's & the feel of the boat.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

Congrats on the new to you ride! For a cold start pump the gas 2 or 3 times and on the last pump lower the throttle slowly to just above idle. This sets the choke. Then start it up. Once running let it warm up before going to large loads or throttle openings.
Run the 19 pitch prop. Mine tubes and skis fine.
Trim all the way down for your best holeshot. Then once on plane trim up a little to raise the bow and increase speed, just don't over rev the motor by over trimming. I've seen spun crank bearings from revving too high. Expensive repair.
And HAVE A GREAT TIME!

 

[rusobr2]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

i believe the 19 is what you are going to need on this boat--should give you plenty of guts,and still round you out at about 45 mph --with less strain on motor--i had a seaswirl spyder 18' with 302 fd--4500 rpm gave me 48 mph with the 19,and it would still pull 2 skier's--just my thoughts.

steven

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

YUP!! i've been doing the prop calculators online so here's what I figure:

16 Pitch for for those long weekend river trips when:
* 30 gallons of fuel
* 6 people in the boat with cooler full of water, ice and food.

19 Pitch prop for when I'm loaded with:
* 15 or less gallons of fuel
* 4 or less persons

Is that about right???

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

16 Pitch for for those long weekend river trips when:
*30 gallons of fuel
* 6 people in the boat with cooler full of water, ice and food.

I'd LOVE to see them days again !!. . My 2 100 gal gas tanks are always hungry.

 

[RAT Attack]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

CONGRATS!
I will sort of agree with all about the prop., but there wasn't near enough information to tell you what you need. Check out the prop. section here & those smart-dudes can help you out. I do know though, that my older boat, which is a 1988 Glassport, cuddy, with a 5.0 mercruiser & alpha one out-drive, will hit about 45mph+ @ 4800 RPM's with my 18" 4-blade aluminum prop. I would do the research & ask the people who know befor making the prop. purchase.
Good luck
&
CONGRATS AGAIN!

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

congrats!!!!!!! hey get out the specs and check/reset trim limit.
sounds like overtravel.
They drift from time to time. easy fix.

 

[JimKW]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

I am running a 14" x 21 prop and I do right around 50 mph at just under wot. At wot it will gove over 50, but not by much. When I spun the prop I put an aluminum 14.25" x 21 on it and it seemed to run a little smoother, but speed was about the same, maybe a little less. Mine is the 4.3L V6 on an 18' boat.

 

[jeepnsam]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!! (UPDATED 07/25/2010)

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!! (UPDATED 07/25/2010)

UPDATE:

So I was running a 4 blade 16 pitch prop and could never hit WOT! I would
be at 5000 rpm at 3/4 throttle.

4 Blade 16 pitch

* 10 gallons of gas
* 2 200 lb people amidship
* 5000 rpm @ 3/4 throttle
* 35 mph @ 3/4 throttle

Ordered a Solas Amita 4 blade 19 ***** from iboats. Was not expecting it until Tuesday, but it came early just in time for MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! YEAH!!

* 10 gallons of gas
* 2 200 lb people amidship
* 1 60 lb kid aft
* 1 60 lb dog aft
* WOT = 4800 rpm (finally hit WOT)
* 47 mph = boat gauge
* 51 mph = GPS

What a way for a guy to spend his 41st birthday (hitting WOT at 51 mph on a brand new 19 pitch prop with his wife, kid and dog)

 

[NYBo]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

Well, happy birthday to YOU!

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: First time out!! Yeah baby!!

Sam, .

. !!.

Enjoy the boat and be SAFE out there.