Enough power?

[ahitchco]

I recently got a 1989 Dynasty 190 with a 4.3L V6 Mercruiser at 175 HP. I'm a novice, but it seems to me this setup should be okay for pulling skiers. After driving the boat for a few hours, I concluded that it won't be pulling anybody out of the water. The prop is somewhat dinged up, but I can't imagine that's the reason for the extreme sluggishness from idle. Any comments?

 

[JB]

Re: Enough power?

Howdy, Ahitchco.<br /><br />Sounds to me like you have an engine problem. If your engine were making 175hp it ought to leap out of the water if you slam it to WOT.<br /><br />I would take this thread to the I/O and Inboard engines Forum and get some advice from the guys there.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Enough power?

hitch:<br /><br />I have the same boat (89 Dynasty 190) with the 4 cyl 3.7L 165 HP and I pull 200lb skiers out of the water....NO PROBLEM.<br /><br />You must be experiencing significant power loss. Maybe a little more info and some of us can help. I did have some power loss issues during extremely hot weather last month (vapor lock), but your problem seems constant.<br /><br />You mentioned a nicked prop? How about the hub and/or housing?? Could there be damage or any slip???

 

[ahitchco]

Re: Enough power?

MrBill, I'm not new to boats, but the engine stuff is foreign to me. There doesn't appear to be any damage to the outdrive, it's just the prop is dinged up. When I start from a stopped position, it really has to think about it before it gets going. Once it's up on plane, it seems to run okay, but it's like I'm going stern first to get there. It seems to respond better if I ease the throttle all the way down and accelerate slowly. Not a problem, per se, but skiers won't enjoy that. It just stands to reason that an engine that size should be capable of more than what I'm getting, that's all.

 

[DJ]

Re: Enough power?

What is your rpm at wide open throttle? Perhaps you are overpropped!

 

[MrBill]

Re: Enough power?

As djohns suggested, check the RPMs...does it rev (over-rev) at all? Or is it power loss? If truly power loss or sluggishness, I think I would begin to look toward causes of lean fuel/air mix, perhaps leak at carb or manifold. Your setup should power the Regency much better than you described, even though it is a relatively heavy boat.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Enough power?

A good basic tune up may be in order. Plugs,wires,cap,rotor,points,condenser,all that stuff.. Check the timing and set it to spec. Make sure your getting full timing advance at the appropriate RPM...While you have the spark plugs out run a compression test... All cylinders should be within 10 to 15 PSI of each other..This will tell you alot about the condition of the engines internal parts... Then look towards the fuel system like Mr. Bill says.. A dinged up prop won't help matters either...

 

[flashback]

Re: Enough power?

sounds to me if as you are hitting on 5 out of 6 or maybe less ............good luck