why is my boat so slow?

[jafo9]

i know this is a silly question so let me explain. i have a 22ft sun tracker 2 toon regency with the 3.0L I/O that i believe is rated at 135HP. Max speed at 4800RPM with only me on board is about 24MPH on GPS depending on wind conditions. Since i'm getting max RPM, i believe i'm at least close to the right prop. I don't think that even with the Tracker "triple toon package with strakes" that this model would go over 30MPH.

Having said that, we are looking at newer toons. It seems like an OB powered boat will be faster with less HP than an I/O. Even with 2 toons and no lifting strakes i'm told even a 115 will be faster. put on the strakes and a 150 with 2 toons will push a 22-24ft boat to 40MPH.

Is this because the I/O's are so heavy? Does the motor hull cause more drag?

I'm also told that the OB's are quieter and more fuel efficient. I really like the clean lines of an I/O but it seems beyond that, there is zero benefit over an OB.

Any comments are appreciated. Brian.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: why is my boat so slow?

IMHO, I don't think you will find much difference in speed between the IO and OB with comparable HP. And I don't think the OB's are much quieter than IO's and perhaps a little more noiser.

I have never been a fan of IO's in pontoon boats because of the difficulty of service, the extra weight, and to a lesser degree, the space that they consume.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[GDiamond]

Re: why is my boat so slow?

I just don't think two toons are that fast. Everyone that has three toons with the max. rated horsepower, run faster than the two toons with max rated horsepower. But the three toons are rated for higher hp. I had a G3 22ft w/ yamaha 115 (4 stroke). Max speed was about 24/25. After the toons had algae on the bottoms the top speed was about 18/19 .

The same G3 that I had, a friend had the same one but with three toons. We both had Yamaha 115 hp 4 strokes. His ran faster (about 5 mph faster).

I have another friend with a 24 or a 22 with three toons and a 350hp I/O for sale, he asking about $21,000. Fast but thirsty.