how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go faste

[boatingtattman]

i have recently purchased a 1999 Searay 215 express cruiser with a 5.0 Mercruiser and a gen 2 alpha 1 outdrive..i would like to know what can make this boat run faster? it has 189 hours on it and runs good..i had everything looked over by a tech and it is in good shape..it has a 19 pitch 3 blade aluminum prop on it now and at full throttle it is taching at about 4500 rpms..
this inst my first boat and the rpms seem a little low..what can i do to change it to say 5500..i know at 5500 that would mean more speed..is there so type of govener on the carb? will a 4 blade ss prop help? would a mild cam work in this engine? how about thru hull captains choice exhaust?..please let me know because we really love this boat and it is very clean..we plan on keeping it..one more thing, what if i built a big block for this boat? would that outdrive handle it and will it even fit? there is alot of room..would i be better to build a small block stoker moter over the winter for it

 

[cr2k]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

Google for a 383 marine engine.

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

...what can make this boat run faster? A higher horsepower engine, less weight, and a clean bottom. What if i built a big block for this boat? You answered your own question. Would that outdrive handle it and will it even fit? Yes X 2. Would I be better to build a small block stroker engine over the winter for it? Yes.

Good luck!

 

[Don S]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

You need 10 to 15 hp at the prop to get 1 mph more. HP isn't every thing, you also need torque. And before you start counting your lucky stars about all the cool add on, this is real hp and torque, not computer programs, and you also have to deal with a thing called reversion when dealing with a cam.
Now how much faster do you really want to go?

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

The other simple (but seemingly always overlooked dilemma) is that by putting in a big block, (say 454) one adds extra weight that the then increased horsepower must overcome to net a marginal difference in top speed. If you really have lots of disposal income and want a project...a 383 stroker will give you the greatest increase in available torque and HP, without adding any measurable weight to the boat over the current 305. Just be forewarned, while Merc did put a 330 HP big block in front of an Alpha 1 for a few years, they stopped doing it for a very good reason. You can certainly run a 383 in front of an Alpha...just be gentle with your right hand! Or buy extra drives.

 

[Bondo]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

i have recently purchased a 1999 Searay 215 express cruiser with a 5.0 Mercruiser and a gen 2 alpha 1 outdrive..i would like to know what can make this boat run faster? it has 189 hours on it and runs good..i had everything looked over by a tech and it is in good shape..it has a 19 pitch 3 blade aluminum prop on it now and at full throttle it is taching at about 4500 rpms..
this inst my first boat and the rpms seem a little low..what can i do to change it to say 5500..i know at 5500 that would mean more speed..is there so type of govener on the carb? will a 4 blade ss prop help? would a mild cam work in this engine? how about thru hull captains choice exhaust?..please let me know because we really love this boat and it is very clean..we plan on keeping it..one more thing, what if i built a big block for this boat? would that outdrive handle it and will it even fit? there is alot of room..would i be better to build a small block stoker moter over the winter for it

Ayuh,.... You don't say how fast it's goin' at 4500 rpms....

Generally speakin',... You can go as Fast as ya wanta go, for 'bout $1,000.00 per mph increase....

How big a check ya willin' to cut,..??

 

[achris]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

With the numbers you quoted I have that boat at 45 knots (50 mph).... That is a fairly decent speed for that boat. Much faster and you'll be running into handling issues (chine-walking etc).... And you're in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.... That's the Atlantic Ocean, how fast can you go? I'm guessing that most days you're doing well at 25 knots... Any more than that and you're passengers are going to hate you.....

Next you'll be asking about thru-hull exhaust... :facepalm:

Just sayin'

Chris......

 

[boatingtattman]

Re: how can i make 1999 Searay 215 express crusier-5.0 mercruiser- gen 2 alpha 1 go f

With the numbers you quoted I have that boat at 45 knots (50 mph).... That is a fairly decent speed for that boat. Much faster and you'll be running into handling issues (chine-walking etc).... And you're in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.... That's the Atlantic Ocean, how fast can you go? I'm guessing that most days you're doing well at 25 knots... Any more than that and you're passengers are going to hate you.....

Next you'll be asking about thru-hull exhaust... :facepalm:

Just sayin'

Chris......

that is exactly how fast it is going..i also forgot that those are knotts not mphs..i am on the atlantic side but we boat in the river here or on the intercoastal waterway..i am thinking of putting captains choice exhaust too..