30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

So I have a 97 Capri, 75hp Force on back, 30 mph is all with a few kids and 2 180 lb adults..Should i be getting more..15 pitch prop and just keeping the revs below 5000.. Not sure if this boat would even pull a learner waterskiier..

thanks for the advice

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

I have an older 1986 16' Bayliner Capri bowrider, with an 85HP Force OB on it. I was in the lower 30's with it. I moved from a 15p prop to a 17p prop and jumped up with upper 30's. (Always fully loaded with 2 adults & 2 kids.)

You didn't mention the length of the boat, but you're about the same HP as me. So I think you're right on.

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

Nice pics and restoration job...well done.. Did that boat have any trouble pulling skiiers? And do you know what your rev's are during normal operation on the plane? Mine seems to be at 4700 or so at around 30mph..Its the capri bowridr as well, 1997 model 17'

thanks

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

My 96 18' Capri bowrider with a 120 Force would do just over 35 MPH at 5200 RPM (by speedo - didn't have a GPS - probably actually low 30's) loaded just like yours. 30 MPH seems about right for your boat.

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

Well, problems is in the eye of the beholder. I'm 6'2", 210lbs, and it does pull me up out of the water just fine, on 2 skis. I doubt I'm skilled enough to do it on 1 ski.

My RPMS are about the same as yours, I honestly don't trust my tach, so I'd hate to give you confirmed numbers. I'm going to be redoing my gauges this winter with new Teleflex gauges.

We mainly tube & kneeboard, I'm not a water skier. So for what we use it for, it works great.

I did switch to a Piranha composite prop with free blade exchange so that I could try different ones. I have an aluminum (15p) & the Piranha (17p) one, and honestly love the 17p blade...the aluminum one is my backup to the backup prop now.

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

Sounds about right. you need 85 hp, to 90 hp, to pull a moderate weight skier.

Re: 30mph 17' Bayliner...Is this it??

thanks for all the replies..I guess since my last boat was a 21' runabout with 170hp volvo i/o, that seemed to just hop out of the water when you punched it..the outboard (2 stroke) just seemed very different..Oh well, it works well so i'll leave it alone for now and the speed/performance seems right for the machine..besides, the operating costs are 1/2 of the old boat..

thanks