Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

[dlighttx]

I'm wanting to settle in on the purchase of a 1993 Wellcraft 232 Eclipse (23ft); V/P 572 Duo-Prop. The wife and I will mainly use it for entertaining friends on the lake, but want something that "the kids" (my grown adult kids) can & will enjoy skiing/tubing...whatever else towable things they do these days behind a boat. I like everything about the layout, just curious about power. How do you think this thing would be to ski behind?

 

[pole position]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

What engine?

 

[dlighttx]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

V/P 572 Duo Prop

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

That 572 is a 350 Chevy, 270 HP, if memory serves. Nice power for a 23 footer. It would pull a skier, but the wake will be frightening. Great for tubing and wake boarding though. If water sports are a main focus, you'll likely want to go down a step from original in propeller pitch to get better hole shot while sacrificing top speed a little.

 

[90stingray]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

I think the Volvo model number engine 572 is not anything other than a SBC. I believe they specd out at 270hp. With the duo prop the boat should not have a problem pulling skiers.

Edit... guess I was too slow on the keyboard. ^^^ mischief nailed it.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

The Duo Prop will provide plenty of "bite" coming out of the hole but on a 23 ft. boat I'd seriously think about adding trim tabs if water toys are part of the plan.

good advice.

 

[dlighttx]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

Thanks for the input everyone, Helps alot. I pulled up a spec sheet from wellcraft on this boat. It says 9 gph. Sounds like a gas hog. I was thinking more like 5-6. Does 9 gallons per hour at "cruise" sound right?

 

[wgl333]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

Trim tabs are an absolute must for that boat...with or without the water sports....has a tendency to go bow high without tabs.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Wellcraft 232 Eclipse PERFORMANCE QUESTION

Thanks for the input everyone, Helps alot. I pulled up a spec sheet from wellcraft on this boat. It says 9 gph. Sounds like a gas hog. I was thinking more like 5-6. Does 9 gallons per hour at "cruise" sound right?

Sounds reasonable to me. 9 GPH would probably yield a little better than 3 MPG.
My 25 footer burns 12-13 GPH at cruise and gets about 2.5 MPG