1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

[eph]

I just purchased a 1970 Whaler, with a 1992 Evinrude 70, I have no idea what the prop specs are...with very little load on the boat, just me, 180 lbs, and 6 gallons of gas, the top speed is about 22 MPH, does this seem right? Everything I am reading is saying this boat should easily hit 30, any ideas?

Thanks-
E

 

[ebry710]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

I just purchased a 1970 Whaler, with a 1992 Evinrude 70, I have no idea what the prop specs are...with very little load on the boat, just me, 180 lbs, and 6 gallons of gas, the top speed is about 22 MPH, does this seem right? Everything I am reading is saying this boat should easily hit 30, any ideas?

I doesn't sound right. I think the 17' Whaler should be able to hit a WOT of 35 MPH. Your 92 Johnnyrude 70 is a good engine. In fact when I had asked iboats which older 70-75hp outboard to get, the Johnnyrude triplelooper (Johnson75/Evinrude70) came up as the finest of the engines.

MAKE/HP/CYCLE...MOTOR WT....TOTAL WT.....MPH
Yamaha/70/2............228............1746............40
Merc/75/2................303............1821............41
Suzuki/70/4..............359............1877............39
86 Evinrude/70/2..........................................36

(data from continuous wave web site)

 

[ebry710]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

Oh. by the way, welcome to iboats.

 

[eph]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

Ebry710, thanks for the response and the data, I have having it checked out now, the previous owner told me he mixes oil and also has the VRO connected, which seems odd to me.
Thanks again-
Eric

 

[DJ]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

How does you boat sit in the water? Low?

Some of the old Whalers were prone to having waterlogged foam between the hulls.

It might be worth having it weighed.

 

[eph]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

Does not seem to be sitting too low, I attached a recent photo, how would the foam become water logged if it is closed cell? I read there could be water between the foam and hull, any ideas on how to remedy?

 

[DJ]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

It looks OK.

Time to concentrate on the engine.

I'd suggest posting your issue in the Johnson/Evinrude area above.

Water gets trapped between the hulls. Even the best foam absorbs some water.

The last one I repaired, I drilled some holes at the bottom of the transom and let it drain for about a month. Don't worry, I don't think you have that issue.

 

[ebry710]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

Time to concentrate on the engine.
I'd suggest posting your issue in the Johnson/Evinrude area above.

DJ is right, Johnnyrude section has more experts.

Ebry710, thanks for the response and the data, I have having it checked out now, the previous owner told me he mixes oil and also has the VRO connected, which seems odd to me.
Thanks again-
Eric

The only time I mix 1:100 mix and run the VRO is on a test to see if the VRO is working. That is in the Service Manual for my 1989 120hp. It will smoke more.

If you run a 1:50 mix and the VRO you could over load the mix. Again, it would be a good topic for the Rude Section.

 

[eph]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

thanks all.

E

 

[ebry710]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

Let us know if you find the problem or if you put it in the Rude section.

 

[eph]

Re: 1970 17' Whaler 70 HP Evinrude...very slow

I added to the Rude section last night, thanks for the advice I will repost once I get it fixed.