How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

[kwikrnu]

boat

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

I'm not sure, maybe someone else will chime in on this but I think WOT on the 2.3 liter is around 5000/5200.

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[Starflight]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

my 17 footer w/ just me and a 1/2 tank of gas will reach 37-38 (gps) w/ 130hp and a 14x19 prop @ 4900-5000 rpm
when i have 6 adults on board i have to use a 14x17 which gets 25-27 mph and will only run 4300-4400 rpm.
when i'm alone w/ the 14x17 it'll go 33-34 @ 5200

btw....black smoke usually = running rich. whens the last time its been tuned up?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

That is with 6 people on the boat.

In a 17' Boat,..??.......

Loose some of the Tonnage,+ it'll probably run Much Better.........

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

with a small boat with small power, you usually need at least 2 props. 1 for the family outing and another for flying solo. Check the pitch of the current prop and get another that is 2" less pitch. e.g. if current prop is 19P, get a 17P for heavy load boating

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[Starflight]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

usually they are stamped on the backside of the prop. my boat has the same load rating, and if i were to have to run w/ a full load often, i'd get a 14x15. at full load my boat struggles to get on plane even w/the 17" pitch. my usual load includes me, wife, 6 yr old son, and a jack russell, and the 19 pops us on plane quickly.
the diameter is not going to change the performance as much as the pitch will.
how does your boat perform w/ just you in it? you need to check and see if your tach accurate before swapping props, and make sure the engine is tuned properly.

 

[Starflight]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

a tune up should include...plugs, cap & rotor, points. dwell checked and adjusted. then timing set at idle (w/shop tach or timing light w/ built in tach) and checked for proper advance. compression check and carb cleaned and adjusted.

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[Starflight]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

w/o tearing the floor out, you cant tell if its water logged. our local land fill lets us check weight on thier scale for free.
the picture may be deceiving, but the pitch looks to be more the 13"s
good luck bro.

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[Starflight]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

dude, i believe you have performance issues. ie poor compression and or tuning issues. your engine should spin that prop up to wot w/ a full load no problem. it wont push ya fast but it should spin easily. have you confirmed your tach to be accurate? the speed your getting w/ it and 6 ppl doesnt seem too far off from what i would estimate it would be.

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

I just purchased a 1989 runabout type ski boat 17' fiberglass boat. It has a small 2.3 omc. It runs okay but at wot which is around 4200 rpm, it only goes 25-27 mph. Should it go faster? That is with 6 people on the boat.

maybe its just me but with a tiny 2.3L, 6 People, running 25mph seems good to me. loose 4 of those a-holes and you'd pick up to around 35mph i'd bet, which i think is also right on.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

I would say you are right on track with the comperession test befroe buying any new parts. I am not positive but a bad ring could be causing the black smoke - a compression test will tell you more. You can buy most parts for a tune-up off this website but I would try to find a local repair shop and they will definately get you the correct parts and maybe some good advice once you get to know them. I would try to find the manufacturer recomended rpm range at WOT. A motor that small and old may be doing all that it can. Also could you post a pic of the engine cover/ back interior of you boat - just interested in how it is set up. thanks.

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat

 

[kwikrnu]

Re: How can I tell if my engine is making the amount of power it should?

boat