I have a new to me 2007 Monterey 220 Explorer Sport deck boat. It has a Merc 5.0 MPI motor and Bravo3 drive. Last week at Lake Elsinore (California), elevation roughly 1,100 feet, it ran like a champ. Holeshot was incredible, planed in about 4 seconds, and cruised at about 45 mph. This was with 3 adults and 1 small kid.
Skip to yesterday, went to Big Bear Lake, elevation 6,700 feet, and there was a very noticeable decrease in power, especially when heading into the wind. It just didnt want to get up and go. The fastest I could get it to was 35 mph +/-, and it took forever to get on plane. This was with 4 adults, and 3 small kids. At first I thought it was load distribution with the occupants, so I rearranged that and it only slightly improved. This was only with 1/4 tank of fuel.
Will the altitude make that much of a difference? I did have both biminis up also, and it was real windy. The boat wasnt misfiring or running funny, just seemed to lack power. I didnt get any warning chimes or anything like that either. The boat sat in the driveway all week, so I dont think anything happened motor wise between the trips.
Please tell me that the high altitude could be causing all this! Some people rec a lower pitch prop for the altitude, nut honestly Ill probably never go back to that lake again, it was a last minute thing.
Thank you!
Skip to yesterday, went to Big Bear Lake, elevation 6,700 feet, and there was a very noticeable decrease in power, especially when heading into the wind. It just didnt want to get up and go. The fastest I could get it to was 35 mph +/-, and it took forever to get on plane. This was with 4 adults, and 3 small kids. At first I thought it was load distribution with the occupants, so I rearranged that and it only slightly improved. This was only with 1/4 tank of fuel.
Will the altitude make that much of a difference? I did have both biminis up also, and it was real windy. The boat wasnt misfiring or running funny, just seemed to lack power. I didnt get any warning chimes or anything like that either. The boat sat in the driveway all week, so I dont think anything happened motor wise between the trips.
Please tell me that the high altitude could be causing all this! Some people rec a lower pitch prop for the altitude, nut honestly Ill probably never go back to that lake again, it was a last minute thing.
Thank you!