Q7i S/F Question

[biknmike]

New to the forum.

Just got a Q7i S/F w/ 5.0 220hp and would like to ask about performance and handling of this boat. This is the first I/O I have driven so I have nothing to compare to.

This boat seems alot more back heavy than my previous boats. When taking off, it seems to take a while to get on plane and requires alot more speed than I like to stay on plane. Also, if I try to trim out the outdrive much at all it will start porpoising. My question is, is this just how these runabouts are or is it something I'm not doing right? I like to pull my young kids around on the tube, but I do not want to have to go to fast to stay on plane, and I do not like plowing through the water either.

When just cruising at slow speeds (not planing out) the engine RPM's go right to 5000 even though the book says WOT should be no more than 4800. Does this sound normal?

How long should it take to get on plane?
What RPM's are normal during take off?
How far can you normally trim out the drive without getting to much hopping in choppy water?

I'll take any advice, even if it's the way I'm driving it.

Thanks,

Biknmike

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

YOu should be able to get on plane around 3500-4000 rpms without any problems, provided you have the engine trimmed down enough.
A good way to learn about your boat is trim the motor all the way down for takeoff, power up to about 3500 rpms and come up to plane. You should be able to back off the throttle slightly while coming on plane, maintaining 3500.
Once on plane, trim the motor up slowly, watching your speed and rpms. Your speed will increase slightly, maybe a couple of mph. Eventually your rpms will start to increase, and your speed may fall. This is a good indicator that you need to trim back slightly. At this point your boat ride should ride level without problems.

Once you have the feel for coming up and running on plane, you should be able to trim your boat to run at reduced rpms and speed.

 

[cioffin]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

I have a Q7i (2007) with the 5.0 220hp also. I havent experienced any of those problems, but I do know that my engine was tested/tuned on the lake by the dealer before I took delivery. He said he didnt know how a dealer delivers a boat without doing that first. In any event, it sounds like a set of trim tabs would work best for you (short of having the dealer re-tune the engine, which if its Bass Pro, it isnt likely they would do it anyway)

I know these boats arn't "top o' the line", but they seems to be a great boat for the money, and the 220HP seems to be more than enough power for my needs. (wakeboarding, tubing, ect...)

Keep in mind however, that my last boat (for comparison) was a 1988 Cobia with a Johnson 140hp, 2 stroke outboard. In my opinion, that was a very heavy hull and an underpowered engine. I used a stingray hydrofoil bolted to the cavitation plate to help with getting on plane. It seemed to work great, reducing the time to plane by 50-60%. My understanding is that trim tabs work even better.

Good luck.

 

[biknmike]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

Thanks for the replies,

I did not get the boat from Bass Pro but the dealer I did use is not much help.

I think I just need more time on the lake during the week when it's not so crowded. It's hard to tell how the boat is behaving when the water is so choppy.

Thanks again

 

[etransfer]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

Thanks for the replies,

I did not get the boat from Bass Pro but the dealer I did use is not much help.

I think I just need more time on the lake during the week when it's not so crowded. It's hard to tell how the boat is behaving when the water is so choppy.

Thanks again

You need to get used to the trim tab more and get a 60lb set of these
http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabsSX.htm

 

[etransfer]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

You need to get used to the trim tab more and get a 60lb set of these
http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabsSX.htm

I sorry you have the 5.0 so you need the 80 Lb

SX9510-80

 

[jebeebe]

Re: Q7i S/F Question

You spoke of high rpms. Just a thought. In 87' I bought a new Bayliner with a 225 chevy v8 and was having the same trouble. When the four barrel carbs kicked in it would just explode out of the water and turn 6000 rpms and when getting on plane would either plow or go too fast. The problem,after almost a year and the end of the warranty and much fighting with the dealer, was that I had an outdrive from a 6 cyl engine on a v8. Someone else was having the opposite problem with his 6 cyl. He was also angry and fighting with the dealer, who knew what the problem was but didin't want to do anything about it. I finaly told the dealer " by friday if this isn't resolved, you will hear from my lawyer". They said to bring my boat in and they swaped my nice clean outdrive for the groaty outdrive from the other guys boat. After that the rpms were right and everything was cool. One way to tell is that your rpms should follow your speedometer. 30mph-3000rpms.........50mph-5000rpms.......aproximatly. This would depend on how the boat was proped. This may not be your problem but I would at least rule it out. These boats come in on a truck with the outdrives off and are reasembled at the dealer. That's how it can happen. Good luck.......................Jerry