[Hunter1st]

Hey folks, first post, but I've trolled for a while. Bought a new (to us) boat a couple weeks back, 17.5 Baretta, 175hp 4.3 V6, Alpha 1. Boat is in very good condition, lake tested it today. I went through about everything over the last two weeks, including rebuilding the Mercarb 2 barrell. I'm mechanically inclined, so don't worry about going to deep, I'll tackle just about any job. I am a boat owner, this is our socond boat, however my boating experiance is with a 15' fishing/hunting boat, 50hp outboard.

Prior to going to the lake today, during the cleanup stages, I noticed I had a lot of play (slack) in the outdrive. I can move it side to side about 3 inches, with no noticable movement in the steering wheel. I had the boss come out and wiggle the drive and I couldn't see any movement in the power steering system itself, what links the power system to the drive?

I did run across a post on this site in a search about checking the two bolts on the top of what I think is the gimble ring? They are easy to spin with a socket, but I think they have a nut on the backside. Would that be the fix? How would you get to the nut?

Secondly, what is normal for temp readings? While at idle, going out through the no wake the boat will get into the 175-200 range, once I increase throttle it will settle around 150. The previous owner had the service records, and apparantly took very good care of the boat, but going off the service records it's been 8 years since the impellor was replaced. What would the the culprit on a low speed high temp, impeller, engine water pump, or thermostat?

Thirdly, a prop question. This morning, I expected the boat to jump up on plane, like my lightweight 15" boat. It seemed to struggle to plane, and wouldn't run low speed without the stern settlleing back down. Is that normal? Plus, top speed was about 37mph, at 4,000 RPM which according the manual I have is worse than an overspeed. The boat should be slightly over 2000 lbs, and I would expect we had an extra 800lbs in it, so figure about 2,800 lbs. It is (or was) an alummium prop, stamped on the hub is "PM 2 1 9 CUP. I actually learned a lesson back at the boat ramp, the skeg and prop will drag. My fishing boat won't. What may be the better prop?

Thanks for the advice, a pictI attempted to attached a Pic, hope it worked.

[cooter2506]

CAnt answer your first question sorry. As far as the overheat that is a weak impeller. It will over heat at low speeds but be ok at high speeds. As far as getting on plane. Was drive the whole way down and then when you got on plane did you trim up some to get your max speed and WOT. A 4.3 in a 17.5 should push it really good.

[Hunter1st]

Thanks, as far as getting on plane, I actually stopped the boat and checked the drive to make sure it was down. It was, it just took longer than I was used too to get it to level out. Once up, I could back the throttle down and cruise, just not as slow as what I wanted in some areas.