Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Hi All,

This message asking for your help is coming from The Netherlands, owner of an Freedom 220SL with an Mercruiser 4.3L ?91.
Engine is running well, no problems at all but it will not plane.
Engine at WOT running 4000 rpm @ max speed 14 miles/hour.
When I try to trim the boat or stern drive the speed degrease.
Is there any one with this same problem on an freedom 200 SL?

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Sounds like the hub in the prop has spun.Try another prop.Jerry

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Hi Jerry, thanks for your help.
I will try to find out asap

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

I just did a little search on the internet to see what type of boat we are talking about here. Looks like it is almost 23' long and weighs 4,400 pounds. That boat is severely underpowered with a 4.3L engine. Your prop better be in perfect condition and I am thinking you better have trim tabs or there is a strong possibility you will never get this thing on plane.

Has the owner ever had this boat on plane?

Is this the type of boat we are talking about here?
http://www.boatshop24.nl/web/en/werften/m/f/freedom/1758321.htm

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

I was thinking the same thing regarding the boat being underpowered. I would never dream of trying to plane out something that big and heavy with anything less than a 5.7, but maybe I'm wrong. In any case, when you're pushing an engine that hard just to plane, you're going to be succeptible to any small imperfection causing this problem. I concur with checking the prop. It might be spun. If the boat is new to you, it might also be that the prop is of incorrect size/pitch not allowing the engine to develop full RPM's at wide open throttle.

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

4000 RPM is also 600-800 RPMS short of WOT.. Might be time for Don to break out his list of things to check when being unable to reach WOT.

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Ayuh,....

Is this a Dockboat, Moored vessel,..??
Or a Trailered boat,..??

If it lives In the water,... The Hull is probably Covered with Crap,....

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Any history on this boat? Did you just buy it? Has it ever planed properly to your knowledge? Did you buy without a test ride?

Anyhow, as was said, you need everything perfect to even try to overcome the underpowered set up you have. Could it be the boat has been repowered at some point with the 4.3?.....seems strange a boat that big would have come with so small an engine. Maybe someone blew an engine, repowered it on the cheap, then sold the now underpowered boat to an unsuspecting buyer (you). Or, maybe the boat has extra water weight and a slightly worn out engine that can not push the weight up on plane. Also, as was said, a dirty bottomed boat makes it that much tougher and enough to keep a very borderline powered boat off plane.

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

bruceb58 said:

I just did a little search on the internet to see what type of boat we are talking about here. Looks like it is almost 23' long and weighs 4,400 pounds. That boat is severely underpowered with a 4.3L engine. Your prop better be in perfect condition and I am thinking you better have trim tabs or there is a strong possibility you will never get this thing on plane.

Has the owner ever had this boat on plane?

Is this the type of boat we are talking about here?
http://www.boatshop24.nl/web/en/werften/m/f/freedom/1758321.htm

Click to expand...

Yes,

This is the boat we are talking about.
I am new with boats and i have this one for 3 month now
when we made an test the boats planes and reached almost 30 miles/hour.
Maybe not fast for you but enough for me
The 4.3L engine is standard for this boat
Freedom is an usa boat build on 1991
Engine is running ok, i thinks maybe a little bit overpropped

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Can anyone advice which prop size to use?
I will take of the one i have mounted now to seee size, i can see it have 5 blades.
I checked www.watercraftservices.com/Propwiz.php and it says 3 blades 15,1/4 - 15

What do you think?

Re: Freedom 220SL with Mercruiser 4.3L will not plane

Ayuh,...

Without knowing what prop is on it Now,....
Any answers you get will only be Guesses....

Btw,...
You didn't answer My Question,..??..??

Is this a Dockboat, Moored vessel,..??
Or a Trailered boat,..??

Click to expand...

Yes,... It's Very Important....

am new with boats and i have this one for 3 month now
when we made an test the boats planes and reached almost 30 miles/hour.

Click to expand...

If it planed out 3 months ago,+ you haven't struck bottom,...
I kinda Doubt you have a Prop Problem.....