general performance?

[BobList]

I'm new to boating that uses engines more powerful than a minn-kota 35#.. I now run a 125 outboard on a 16' fish n ski.
In the morning.. no wind, calm water.. seems to fly.. later that afternoon, a little wind, and a rougher water, it feels like perfomance has degraded somewhat.
Now I'm sure there is a difference, but flat calm vs. normal chop and breeze ( I know, I know.. define chop and breeze!), would some say a feeling of 10-15% lower speed and all that is normal? What is normal % difference between dead calm, and a 8-10 mph wind against you on a boat like mine? Basically, this sounds like a really dumb question, but what do you long-timers have to say?

Bob

 

[pootnic]

Re: general performance?

I like how you put "seems to fly" and then later "10-15% lower speed".
Are you positive there is a difference?
I mean,there is going to be some difference for sure but without gps readings or tach numbers,it might just be your prespective.

 

[BobList]

Re: general performance?

vague, I know. Tach's inop, no gps.

It's like driving a 4 cyl car, then turning the ac on for the 3 people you just picked up. You can feel the difference, and nothing is "wrong"

I've heard people saying they burned 1/4 tank on the way out, and 1/2 tank back in due to wind and current. I'm curious as to is the speed and rpm *noticeably* different. Maybe a good estimate of % less speed might be that some have experienced.

I melted a piston on this thing the first weekend I had it out due to crap in the fuel tank. I rebuilt the motor, everything is fine.. I'm thinking I'm just gun shy every time I feel a bit slower speed, a few seconds more to plane out, and a bit lower rpm's. Get skeered! I wonder, if something is going wrong, or it's just " Meh, normal".. due to a bit of chop, or a 8 mph headwind comapred to dead calm.

Bob

 

[ajgraz]

Re: general performance?

Even a few mph headwind, or fighting a current vs going with, can have a big impact, yes. And the fuel thing, that's why it is said, "1/3 out, 1/3 in, 1/3 reserve"...because you never know.

I suggest you get that tach working. Very useful item.

 

[BobList]

Re: general performance?

Right, so yes it can be quite noticeably different... that makes me feel better.... and just because you used 1/3 out, doesn't mean it's necessarily gonna use 1/3 in!

I'm assuming some guys can do 40 mph, then when the tide shifts, and a little wind kicks in, 32 might be top end... noticeable, but normal. Especially when the next day, it repeats itself all over..
thanx for the responses!

Bob

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: general performance?

Might be an air density/fuel mixture issue. Air is typically cooler and more dense in the AM; if you have the right fuel mixture to take advantage of the cooler air, there's more power available in cool ari. When it warms up in the afternoon, the air becomes less dense and the fuel mixture is not only off, but you also have less air to mix the fuel with so even if the mixture is prefect, you can still make less power. Combine that with some chop and you may notice more sluggish performance.