Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
Took the 1985 1600 Capri Cuddy out to a local lake (big puddle actually, about 175 acres, average depth 6 feet) for a trial run. This is my impression of how the boat performed.
Boat was empty except for me, 5 gallons of gas and the battery. This little boat really was fun to drive! The lake was flat as a pancake, so the only waves were caused by other boats. I ran through their wake at 90 and 45 degree angles at full speed and the stepped V hull cut right through it. That made me really anxious to get it out on the bay and see how it handles rougher water conditions.
The 85 hp Force performed well, and the telltale I added was shooting a stream of water 8 feet behind me at WOT! I was glad to see the pump working well. Previous owners receipts indicate impeller was replaced in '02, so I guess its still pumping.
Top speed as recorded by the Pitot type speedo was 38mph. Boat gets on plane quickly and levels right off. The motor does not have power T/T, so I put the pin in the hole closest to the transom. Makes the boat ride very level. Was able to hold a plane as slow as 10-12 mph.
Turning was tight and didn't have a tendency to "slide out" under heavy throttle. I think the steering cable needs to be replaced because it is very hard to turn right, but easy to turn left, and there is play in the wheel.
One bad design was the swim platform/ladder. Its great to have, its all fiberglass and stainless, but right about the speed where the boat is getting up on plane, the brace for the ladder makes a huge splash that dumps buckets of water on the motor cover. Once on plane it is out of the water and no splash.
I ran the boat hard most of the time, and after about an hour of circling this little lake, the Force sucked up about 4 gallons! Holy moly! My 14' MFG with 40hp Johnson will run for hours on 4 gallons! I heard that Force motors were thirsty buggers. Guess I'm going to have to install a 14 gallon or larger permenant tank.
All in all, the boat really rode and handled really well. And the Force ran the whole time without a hickup.
So I am one happy camper. A few minor clean up items and I'll be taking to Long Island in two weeks for a nice two week vacation! Whoo Hoo!
Boat was empty except for me, 5 gallons of gas and the battery. This little boat really was fun to drive! The lake was flat as a pancake, so the only waves were caused by other boats. I ran through their wake at 90 and 45 degree angles at full speed and the stepped V hull cut right through it. That made me really anxious to get it out on the bay and see how it handles rougher water conditions.
The 85 hp Force performed well, and the telltale I added was shooting a stream of water 8 feet behind me at WOT! I was glad to see the pump working well. Previous owners receipts indicate impeller was replaced in '02, so I guess its still pumping.
Top speed as recorded by the Pitot type speedo was 38mph. Boat gets on plane quickly and levels right off. The motor does not have power T/T, so I put the pin in the hole closest to the transom. Makes the boat ride very level. Was able to hold a plane as slow as 10-12 mph.
Turning was tight and didn't have a tendency to "slide out" under heavy throttle. I think the steering cable needs to be replaced because it is very hard to turn right, but easy to turn left, and there is play in the wheel.
One bad design was the swim platform/ladder. Its great to have, its all fiberglass and stainless, but right about the speed where the boat is getting up on plane, the brace for the ladder makes a huge splash that dumps buckets of water on the motor cover. Once on plane it is out of the water and no splash.
I ran the boat hard most of the time, and after about an hour of circling this little lake, the Force sucked up about 4 gallons! Holy moly! My 14' MFG with 40hp Johnson will run for hours on 4 gallons! I heard that Force motors were thirsty buggers. Guess I'm going to have to install a 14 gallon or larger permenant tank.
All in all, the boat really rode and handled really well. And the Force ran the whole time without a hickup.
So I am one happy camper. A few minor clean up items and I'll be taking to Long Island in two weeks for a nice two week vacation! Whoo Hoo!
