Underpowered?

[sailsmanship]

A 2000 Bayliner Trophy 21' Walkaround Cuddy with a 3.0 Mercruiser 4 banger. Underpowered? I don't need to go fast but I would like to not struggle to get on plane all the time.

 

[rickyp52]

Re: Underpowered?

Yes. Terribly.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Underpowered?

Do a search on the site and forum for Smart Tabs (Nauticus). The boat is not underpowered. You are waisting thrust pushing the boat up hill when you are starting off. The tabs will minimize the bow rise and the thrust will propell the boat to plane easily.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Underpowered?

Definately. Smart tabs will help get you up but they don't create any more power and your top end will never be satisfying.

 

[watered down]

Re: Underpowered?

OUCH, a 3 banger in a 21' cuddy Don't worry, you certainly will NOT go fast. I had the 3.0L in my 17' Glastron, which only weighed 1980 lbs and felt it was underpowered. Now, in that size boat it was adequate and allowed us to ski, etc...but a 21' cuddy, you may have to get out and push... <br /><br />And being passed by that canoe full of Cub Scouts might be demoralizing...

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Underpowered?

Forgot to say it does have hydraulic trim tabs

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Underpowered?

High Five props do well on underpowered boats.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: Underpowered?

WOW.... a 3.0 in a 21' boat! Don't even give it a second look, you will never be happy with that setup.

 

[erikrs301]

Re: Underpowered?

you might be fine in calm water with the trim tabs getting you out of the hole, but forget about getting anywhere in the rougher stuff.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Underpowered?

erikrs:<br /><br />Do a little research on this topic, I think you will find that the ride and handling is drastically improved with Smart Tabs.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Underpowered?

Originally posted by Sandpaperman1:<br /> Forgot to say it does have hydraulic trim tabs

Nautijohn, are you saying your tabs are better for his situation or..... <br />

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Underpowered?

I don't care if you have MagicTabs.... you get into some chop and you're in trouble with that combo.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Underpowered?

Dave;<br /><br />Sorry, I did not see the post saying he had trim tabs. <br /><br />If they are working correctly and are the correct size, the boat should plane reasonably well. Assuming that all else is good as well, such as - Engine runs well, the boat is propped correctly, Prop in good repair, etc.<br /><br />I would not change to our tabs if he has good functioning tabs. Althoug it would ride better in rough water with ours (my opinion).

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Underpowered?

Underpowered!....Unless those tabs have props on them......JK

 

[tommays]

Re: Underpowered?

I have a 3.0 on a 20 ft cuddy and if go about one size small on the prop if will get on plane just fine and still give you a good cruseing speed around 3400 to 3600 rpm all day long<br /><br />And still get pretty good MPG because it wont be luging pushing all that boat<br /><br />i have also found that running a vented prop helps a LOT with the hole shot<br /><br />

<br /><br />tommays

 

[mole2]

Re: Underpowered?

Here ya go...an article that Popular Mechanics did in 2003 comparing the 135hp Opti, the 3.0L Mercruiser and the 1.7L Mercruiser/Cummins Diesel in Trophys. It's got some interesting stats at the end. As for my boat, the 4.3L is great. As with any boat you never have enough power. But the 3.0L should do you fine if you're not concerned with top speed.<br /><br /> Popular Mechanics - How to choose the right engine...

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Underpowered?

That's a great article thanks.....