Why is my boat so slow?

[GKT]

i have a 1997 palm beach 20ft center console whitecap. its a deep v hull...online it says the hull weighs 1800lbs. i have a 1980 merucyr 200hp black max on the back that runs good. but my top speed is only about 32mph? with about 20 gallons of gas in it. and thats on really smooth water with 3 people on the boat. i think this is pretty slow? i have a 19 pitch volvo penta prop. is this the wrong prop? is my motor too high out of water? i notice water shoots up from both sides of the cavitation plate at high speeds..i dont think it should do that?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

What are your RPMs at WOT and is the anti cavitation plate even with the bottom of the boat?

 

[GKT]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

i dont even know the wot rpms...as ive only took it out twice... i think the plate is an inch or so above the keel...but the motor is on the top bolt...so i cant move it down anymore

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

If the motor was too high the prop would lose grip, the motor would rev way up and you would go nowhere. Usually higher is better for speed.

Have you tried adjusting the time on the motor? Trim the motor in when you take off then trim it out once on a plane until you feel the prop start to lose grip then trim back in until it grips again.

You may have the wrong prop but you need to find out what RPMs the motor is running at when you have it at full throttle.

I would expect that setup to hit 45 mph.

 

[KC4YIN]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

I have a 21' Palm Beach- Bay dancer/w 150 Yamaha 4 stroke ( See picture) and 65 gallon tank that putt's along at 44. You've definitely got something wrong there. You need to know WOT RPM range of the motor and what RPM you are getting at your WOT.

 

[GKT]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

okay thanks guys...i really appreciate it. i thought it was slow too..lol. ill have to figure this out

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Why is my boat so slow?

Pull your anchor in ! duh !

 

[GKT]

yea...its a power trim problem...thanks guys for the input