My bayliner isn`t getting to it`s top speed

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BlaineJ

Recruit
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
4
Hi I have a 1991 Bayliner Capri, 4.3 alpha 1 motor. I am only getting around 33mph on the water and was wondering if that speed is normal when running wide open. I usualy run about half tank of fuel a small cooler and a few fishing pools and 2 person. i have running a 20 prop and have tried a 17 but got the same result. Rpm gage isn`t working
 
T

tschmidty

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 24, 2010
Messages
462
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

No but the title of your thread is not very informative. What RPM are you getting?
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

Are you trimming up or running the drive all the way down?
 
redone4x4

redone4x4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
1,548
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

my 19' with a 305 engine cruises at 30-35mph and tops out at about 41-42 mph. what size is your boat?
 
redone4x4

redone4x4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 28, 2009
Messages
1,548
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

is that speed on gps or by the dash speedometer? i checked mine with gps cause the dash never reads close to right.
 
D

daman4469

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
107
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

Trimming up some may get you a few more MPH...sounds like you arent hitting WOT. With a 20" prop you should be doing better than that. Harbor Freight has a digital tach that you can suction right to the main pulley to see your RPMs....not sure for your model but probably should be up near 5k. If you are getting good RPMs, then its just a prop slip issue...sounds to me though that youre not getting the RPMs you need, but the only way to find out is to know what RPMs you are running.
 
G

gozierdt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
364
Re: Bayliner

Re: Bayliner

My 20' Sea Ray with the 4.3LX 4 barrel and a 19" cupped 3-blade hits the mid 40's at about 4500rpm. I would think yours should be capable of at least the low 40's at WOT. 5K is too fast for this motor IMHO, the manufacturers suggestion is 4400-4500 max.

It's important that you be able to measure the WOT rpm. Either fix your gage, or buy one of the handheld ones like was suggested. Be careful if you go that way, you don't want whoever's holding the guage against the pulley to get thrown into the belt system if you hit a wake or whatever. You can get replacement gages pretty cheap on eBay, or here on iBoats...
 
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