Good day at the lake

[Lager]

My new to me (1990) 18 bowrider with the 3.0 mercruiser and alpha one ran well.
Been working on this boat fixing things the original owner just put up with.
Good speed out of it also. 3000 rpms gives me 30 mph on the GPS and the top rpm of 4300 nets me 43 MPH.
I was considering buying a new 19 inch prop thinking it wouldn't perform very well since it dinged up a bit. But Im quite happy with it. It comes out of the hole quickly, planes easily ( testament of a good designed hull) and a comfortable ride even in rough water, like 1.5 foot chop.I might have coaxed a bit more rpm and speed out out the boat but I had a very hard torque steer to the left if I tryed to trim up any more.
Since I plan to use the boat to pull the grand kids water skiing and tubeing, I might change my mind about the 19 inch three blade prop quickly considering my lack of HP.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Good day at the lake

A good prop is important, it gets all your power to turn into thrust.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Good day at the lake

My new to me (1990) 18 bowrider with the 3.0 mercruiser and alpha one ran well.
Been working on this boat fixing things the original owner just put up with.
Good speed out of it also. 3000 rpms gives me 30 mph on the GPS and the top rpm of 4300 nets me 43 MPH.
I was considering buying a new 19 inch prop thinking it wouldn't perform very well since it dinged up a bit. But Im quite happy with it. It comes out of the hole quickly, planes easily ( testament of a good designed hull) and a comfortable ride even in rough water, like 1.5 foot chop.I might have coaxed a bit more rpm and speed out out the boat but I had a very hard torque steer to the left if I tryed to trim up any more.
Since I plan to use the boat to pull the grand kids water skiing and tubeing, I might change my mind about the 19 inch three blade prop quickly considering my lack of HP.

Your on the low end of your WOT for a 115HP 3.0 (4200-4600), but if you have 3.0LX (4400-4800). Don't know what pitch your running now but if it's a 21 the you could go to 19 and should put you into the 4700 which is over the limit for the 3.0L. Now pulling skiers and tubes the load will be a lot more and the 19 would be a better choice for pulling (if you have a 21 now).

 

[Lager]

Re: Good day at the lake

AllDodge, I guess I worded it incorrectly. Im currently running a slightly beat up 19 alum and I was thinking about buying a new if this one didnt perform the way I way I wanted it to. This boats new to me, I had NO idea what is was going to do and Im pleased.
This I/O 3.0 bowrider is not exactly what I perfer or what Im used to.Its slow and sluggish, but its doable for the grandkids and the Wife wont let me buy what I want for good reason.
But, you know what the best part of that day was?
I was finally out on the water after many years without a boat, without the Wife, without the Grandkids that are under my care and have been for a while now.
It was wonderful ! Was my first moment of peace Ive had in my life in 10 years.
The next day, I took the kids and wife out and they ruined the whole thing.:facepalm:

 

[alldodge]

Re: Good day at the lake

AllDodge, I guess I worded it incorrectly. Im currently running a slightly beat up 19 alum and I was thinking about buying a new if this one didnt perform the way I way I wanted it to. This boats new to me, I had NO idea what is was going to do and Im pleased.
This I/O 3.0 bowrider is not exactly what I perfer or what Im used to.Its slow and sluggish, but its doable for the grandkids and the Wife wont let me buy what I want for good reason.
But, you know what the best part of that day was?
I was finally out on the water after many years without a boat, without the Wife, without the Grandkids that are under my care and have been for a while now.
It was wonderful ! Was my first moment of peace Ive had in my life in 10 years.
The next day, I took the kids and wife out and they ruined the whole thing.:facepalm:

Prop manufacturers are all different and they have slight variations in performance. Your in the area of wanting to get the most out of your day. I would suggest taking your prop to a prop shop. At the shop tell the guy/gall what you have and that your turning around 4300 RPM and would like to get it a bit closer to 4500. If the shop knows what there doing they can reduce your pitch a slight bit and get you more RPM. The additional RPM will increase your hole shot and can get it running a bit better, not much but a bit more. It will cost less to rework your prop then get another

Hope you have many more happy days in your future

 

[Walt T]

Re: Good day at the lake

Hey! all us up here in the frozen arctic tundra don't appreciate reading about ya'll southern weenies talkin about how you going on the lake n stuff. I'll tell ya what to do with your prop....

 

[Lager]

Re: Good day at the lake

HAH! Just spit beer all over monitor when I read that Walt . Thanks a lot!
Hey! At least you get the legal weed, that will help until the ice thaws.

Im going out in just my T shirt this weekend. Na na na.:laugh:

 

[Walt T]

Re: Good day at the lake

uhhh what was I talkin about? Oh yeah, I was complaining about those uptight people sayin weed affects their memory. All I gots to say is uh ... I forgot