Anyone else own an old Silverline 1973

[Capt. Bob]

I recently bought a 1973 Silverline 15v Aruba outboard with a 65Hp Evinrude and I love this little boat. I am curious about what the top speed should be with one person aboard. It seems to be slow to plane and I am making trim adjustments and installing a tach to check the prop. It runs 31mph now. The inspection plate says it is rated for 85 HP...any comments on changing the engine?<br />All comments would be appreciated concerning anything about the boat. Thanks

 

[thornious]

Re: Anyone else own an old Silverline 1973

This probably is not much help but, if you are getting 31 out of a 65 that sounds pretty good. <br /><br />I am not sure is your boat is alum or fiber.<br />I had a 16ft 74 Silverline trihull with a 100hp Johnson and that was about what I got out of it. That boat was really heavy. Never really had a problem getting the boat on plane though.<br /><br />Few things might help <br />Do you have a hydrofoil, power trim, and have you tried just trimming the motor down manually. <br /><br />Now I have a friend who has an alum Starcraft V 1975 with a 1974 65hp Merc on the back and his top speed is around 30 with 3 people in. <br /><br />dont know if this was any help to you or not

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: Anyone else own an old Silverline 1973

Thanks thornious,<br />It is a fiberglass v-hull with a front deck. It will only seat five and with four aboard it will only do about 20. I do have a foil and that helps it get on plane faster and with four aboard it keeps the bow down and allows the boat to eventually get to 20. I have tried to trim the motor manually and it has to have the drive closest to the transom to plane. We tried skiing and it will pull up someone about 165lbs with two in the boat. It will wear out the skier trying to get up if they weigh more. The boat was always covered so the hull is in great condition. I might add more hp later but for now it runs fine with 2 aboard. An added note...I installed a bilge pump in the aft well after a large chop came over the deck and windshield into our laps last weekend. I also learned not to slow so much for the chop. Sure different than a 56' cruiser..but a lot of fun.