Max Hp

[383cross]

I recently purchased a really nice shape 85 Bayliner Capri 14' with a 65 hp Mercury that seems to run pretty good. I was thinking about using to pull a skier but it diesnt seem to have alot of bottom end and not sure it's enough to do what I want. I'm gonna try to reprop it (currently has a 15 prop on it and seems to take a long time to plane out, 20secs). If I can find a nice used 90-115 merc I was thinking about changing it over. Transom is in like new shape, anyone have any thoughts about this? I know it came with a 50 hp Force from the factory so I dont think the 65 is a problem but wondered about how much it could safely handle?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Max Hp

have you check to see if you are carrying extra, unwanted weight. such as water saturated foam, under the deck. that vintage Bayliner is known for saturated foam, and bad decks. that boat will not handle a 90 or 115. the 65 should push it just fine, have you checked compression on the motor.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Max Hp

I'm thinking those little capris were only rated from somewhere between 50-90 horses. I think a 115 would be way too much. As was said they were typically sold with a 50 so I would think your 65 would perform nicely. I would look more into tweaking your current setup.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Max Hp

on that little boat unless it's really waterlogged, needs a good tune-up or not set up right it should have plenty of power to pull an average skier...

 

[haskindm]

Re: Max Hp

Agreed. 65 HP should be plenty. It is one of three things.
1. Problem with the engine.
2. Propped waaaaay wrong.
3. Overweight hull due to too much stuff on board or waterlogged foam.

If I was a betting man, I would bet on #3.....

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Max Hp

I would start with these checks:
1) As previously mentioned, check for waterlogged foam and thus an overweight boat. Take it to the local scales and see if you can get a weight figure for the boat. Then check this weight against original weight data.
2) Do a check on the engines condition starting with compression. The motor might run very nicely with an even 90psi compression in all cylinders but as a result be way down on power...definitely not 65hp worth.
My two bits
BP

 

[383cross]

Re: Max Hp

I did a compression check when I 1st got it and it was 123,125,125 so I believe the engine is pretty solid, it seems to have good top end when running but the bottom end is really disappointing, seems to be running good at all rpm,s and when you hit the throttle it just digs into the water and lifts the bow so I moved the manual trim all the way it and that helped. Last week I installed a Doel Fin but I havent had a chance to take it back out yet. It doesnt have a tach but the motor seems to be turning decent rpm's but it's not screaming. Like I said the prop is a 15p, any reccomendations on the what the prop should be since it's been stated it's waaaay over propped?
How can I check on the saturated foam thing? If it's saturated how do you fix it? When I bought it I was told it was a new floor, it's definately new carpet, seats & interior. I'll see if I can figure out how to attach a picture.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Max Hp

It MAY be over propped. You will need to hook up a tachometer to be sure. Anything else is just guessing.

 

[oops!]

Re: Max Hp

It doesnt have a tach but the motor seems to be turning decent rpm's but it's not screaming. Like I said the prop is a 15p, any reccomendations on the what the prop should be since it's been stated it's waaaay over propped?

you really need a tach......but try a 12 inch....and just dont go wot

How can I check on the saturated foam thing? If it's saturated how do you fix it? When I bought it I was told it was a new floor, it's definately new carpet, seats & interior. I'll see if I can figure out how to attach a picture.

as stated, just take all the stuff out of the boat......and weigh it at the local scales.....subtract the trailer weight........the dry hull weight will be on the vin plate or ava from b-liner........if your 200lbs or over.....then post in the resto section and we can give you explicid instructions on how to check for waterlogged foam........

but waterlogged boats were common of that vintage b-liner

 

[Nandy]

Re: Max Hp

Yes, you need a tach to make sure the motor is turning RPM right. My motor goes from 5200 to 5000 and you can barely hear the difference. As you seems to have find out, the angle of the motor will have an effect. You also have to pay attention on how low your motor is sitting in the transom. Your anti-cavitation plate should be pretty much flush with the bottom or your transom/hull as a starting point. I will say make the adjustment without the doel fin and then add it back to compare. In some boats those doel fins can be a lot of help. In other they cause more gas/speed troubles. I agree with everyone else. 65 is enough horse power, I could do 27 mph with a similar hull using a 50 hp. Never pull a skier but that tube was moving!

 

[383cross]

Re: Max Hp

I checked the anticavitation plate and it is exactly even with the bottom of the boat. I'm gonna head off to the lake this afternoon and see what kind of difference the doel fin makes, maybe in the next couple of weeks I can get the boat weighed, I have to get the trailer weighed anyhow to get a tag for it so I'll try to determine the weight of boat. Once the boat gets up on plane it really runs good it just takes it a while to get there and you have to be running about 3/4 throttle to keep it there. Maybe the doel fin is just what i need, if not it was only a $30 trial. In any event it will be a ball just finding out! I love to try different things to see what changes effect, and it's a new change from drag racing for a while, and since i dont have alot of $ in it it's easy to experiment.

 

[383cross]

Re: Max Hp

Wow, went to the lake today, what a difference the Doel Fin made. It was on plane within about 3-4 seconds and had good top speed and would stay on plane at a much lower throttle setting which didnt make you have to run wide open to keep it up. A great day a lake finally!
Maybe some people say there no good and should use smart tabs but it made a believer out of me this afternoon.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Max Hp

The Capri weighs 700 lbs and I think is rated for 50 hp.Something is up; that motor should pop her on plane and keep on plane easily.Doel fins can work
But its like putting a bandaid on a belly wound.

 

[greyranch]

Re: Max Hp

Hi,I have the same boat with the 50 horse Force engine.I was considering repowering it with maybe a 65 HP engine.I could only get 25 MPH from it with a 12.5 prop.After removing the whale tail hydrofoil now I can get 30 MPH with it.Not sure if that is enough speed for a skier but with some experimenting your 65 should be more than enough motor for your boat.I am not sure why these boats were only rated for 50HP,seems the transom is plenty strong and these boats handle great.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Max Hp

A fin may, or may not be the best way to fix the problem, but if your AV plate is even with the hull it's too low. It should be higher up, at least and inch and even higher with a fin mounted on it. The fin should be out of the water at speed, if it's in the water you may get some odd handling issues, or a slightly lower top speed.