Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

[dtholmanmax]

Hello all <br />I have a 91 Bayliner Capri - 17', 3.0l Mercruiser Alpha 1 4cyl. I don't know exactly what kind of engine it has - the guy I bought it from said Volvo but it would just be good information. Also, it seems very squirley - sensitive to weight in the boat and when turning to the right sometimes will it feels like it's going to lay all the way down into the water. Also, sometimes when I take off, it will want to lean over to the side really bad. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks<br />David

 

[AntsGrady]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

Trim tabs would help......Smart tabs may work best for a 17'. I just got a set of lenco tabs for my 22' and I can't wait to use them. With all the things I've read I don't know how a boat doesn't have them.

 

[cuzner]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

Hey David 3L meruiser engine is a mercruiser... not a volvo.Sounds like the exact same drive I had in the 1990 capri cuddy I sold last year. Others may differ on opinions, but I found it to be a reliable, easy to maintain and fuel efficient engine.I'm assuming its a bow rider you have.As for handling issue's it only speculation on my part, but any boat this size will tilt quit a bit if people move around. Best you can do is try to equalize the weight of your gear, and passangers. The steering thing you will have to get used to.You don't have power steering,and it is very sensitive, I moved up to a larger boat with power steering, and wish I could get rid of it, becauseI miss the feel of non power steering.Take a little time to get used to the way the boat handles. Smart Tabs will help keeping you level , but my personal oppinion is you should get used to the ride of your boat before you change anything.<br /><br /><br /> Jim

 

[dtholmanmax]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

Jim<br />Thanks - That was the confusion on things was the having a mercruiser outdrive and stuff I've been seeing for products on the web confused me since the guy had told me it was a Volvo. Not a problem there - this will be my 3rd summer and it has only had a couple of problems (me tearing up the prop, the alt, and some carb issues). I'm fairly used to the steering issue and I'm sure you're right - it just frustrates (and sometimes scares me a little) when it lays over like that.<br /><br />THanks<br />David

 

[hise]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

Sounds like the steering is due to trim. Trim the motor all the way in (down) when starting off. Once on plane, start to trim the motor out (up), you'll hear the rpms increase and you'll feel the steering lighten up. A good rule of thumb... when the steering feels right (doesn't pull to either side), the trim is right.<br /><br />I don't own smart tabs, so I don't have first hand experience; but, a set of smart tabs would eliminate the need for adjusting your trim.<br /><br />--Hise

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

dtholmanmax;<br /><br />It sound to me like you are bow steering. In otherwords the bow is too far down when cruising. This could be caused by leaving the motor trim too far down when cruising. If this is the case then trim it up a bit. <br /><br />The other thing to look at would be an additional planing device such as a hydrofoil on the cavitation plate above the prop. If you get too much lift when cruising the motor trim may not be able to bring the bow up enough to keep the boat from running bow down.<br /><br />Once you have determined what the problem is or is not, then Smart Tabs or others can be used to make the boat even better. I do not want to see you cover up possible problems by installing something else.

 

[mtrainTurbo]

Re: Questions about my 91 Bayliner Capri???

Bayliner switched from Volvo Penta power to OMC in 1987, and then to Mercruiser power in 1990. SOME early 1990s got OMCs, as I have seen a 2755 and a 2050 with 1990 colors and OMC drives.<br /><br />Since you have a 1991, you have a Merc. The 3.0 is based on the 2.5L Iron Duke 4 cylinder GM engine.