18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

[hogbaptist]

I have a very hard time with the hole shot. I'm not sure what my WOT rpm is right now, but I do know I have a pitch of 21. It runs about 45, maybe 50 with 2 people and has a very hard time planing out. I haven't tried to pull a skier, but I know it won't do it. because of the way it acts to plane out. It takes forever with 4 people. you guys think it's the prop? think I should go to a 17 pitch? pretty dramatic but i think this 21 is killing me all around. I don't really care for the top speed, I just want something that is going to yank the skiers up and able to get out of the corners faster for the tubers... any advise is appreciated, thanks!!

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

Best advice I can give is find out what your WOT is with the 21...let's compare that to the recommended, and I think we can take an educated shot at what might be your best option.

 

[ruf1967]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

Doesn't make any sense. I have a 185 Sea Ray with a 4.3 and I can run a 23 inch pitch prop @ 4700rpm. I run a 21 now because it is better for skiing. I can get the boat to plane at about 18mph also. I believe your boat is similar in weight to mine. Do you store yours in the water? Is there a possibility of some bottom growth slowing the boat? Does you tach work or do you have access to one? You need to find out what those rpm's are at w.o.t.

 

[Almeja]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

A healthy 190 hp V-6 in an 18' boat should be able to swing a 21" prop with a decent holeshot and go to plane with 4 in the boat.

Are you new to boating? I noticed you didn't mention trim. Are you trimming the drive properly for your conditions/speed/throttle?

Sounds like you might be trying to accelerate with the drive trimmed out. This raises the bow and makes the boat plow water... indeed it takes a long time to plane that way.

Other things...

Bad prop? (dinged, slipping, poor design etc)
Engine out of tune? (What altitude are you running at?)

If you do decide to downprop... A 17" prop will be
WAY too low. A 19" would be a more reasonable choice, but you will have to watch out for over-revving at the top end.

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

Sorry about no info, yes I'm new to boating and this forum thing. I have the trim all the way down. The prop looks fine, but I'm not sure about slipping. How do you check that? The engine is a manufacturer rebuilt Volvo 4.3L v6. The guy who put it in, probably didn't know what he was doing. The guy I bought it from had them put it i n. I don't think he ever put it in the water. I am goign to take it to my mechanic, and have them fix the leak, it has a leak somewhere, but that just occured. The engine sounds fine and doesn't miss. Maybe it just needs to be tuned in.

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

oh and no, I don't store it in the water....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

hogbaptist and others, The Alpha I drives have different gear ratios, depending on the year. I have a '88 Alpha I 4.3LX on my 19' SeaRay BR. A 21" pitch Rapture is a great prop for me to use for general purpose. A 19" pitch prop would be better for skiing. The newer Alpha I drives have lower gear ratios. My neighbor (similar boat, same motor, 1995 vintage) runs a 23" pitch Rapture. My boat would never tolerate that prop.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

Best advice I can give is find out what your WOT is with the 21...let's compare that to the recommended, and I think we can take an educated shot at what might be your best option.
Again, as I first recommended...this is the first step, I don't care what year or model of boat....2 Identical boats may use different props.

 

[Almeja]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

Forgive me if you already know this part... I'm wondering if you may not have a 'boat' problem at all.

>""I have the trim all the way down."

Note that there are TRIM and TILT controls on your I/O.

Tilt is the 'gross' position of the drive, ranging from up in the trailering position to down in the run position.

On top of the gross adjustment, there is another control, called trim. It is a 'fine' adjustment that changes the attitude/performance of the boat. (Note, this is 'fine' in name only as a few degrees of tilt makes a huge difference in boat performance).

Some boats have trim/tilt controls on seperate buttons, others (newer) have a single switch that responds differently if it is pressed in firmly (tilt) or touched lightly (trim).

Can you find an experienced boat driver to go out with you for a ride? IMHO: It's worth it's weight in gold... or possibly the couple hundred dollars for a new prop.

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

What would happen if I adjusted the friction break in the controls? Do you think that is limiting my RPM's?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

:devil: lol i can say the following for some very simple reason's......8) if you just follow walleye's advice and report back you will get very sound advice anything short of that you will probably get notta aka nothing, it's just the way it is................... Ummm he just doesnt guess, take some time and do what they ask you'll save money and get great results in the end :}

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

that tail gunner,,,,that's what i am trying to do. i have another problems on my hands...i have a bad leak and i can't figure out what it is. i have to replace the starter because i got it wet for about 5 hours. the engine compartment filled about half up with water. i couldn't tell and tried to take off from the beach and it died on me and wouldn't start back up...i am taking it to a volvo mechanic to see if we can find the leak, but i have no idea. it would have to be pretty big in order to fill the compartment that the engine is mounted in in the engine compartment in about a 2 hour span i believe....

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

I believe that has a Bellows over the driveshaft, and maybe another over that...I think that's a common place for a leak...cracked bellows.

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: 18' regal, 4.3l v6 ski boat, hole shot

thanks walleyehed appreciate the advice...hopefully i will be able to enjoy my boat without worry everytime i go out..