How fast should it go

[scottkell]

I just bought a 1996 218 center console Wellcraft. The guy I bought it from said it weighed around 3700 lbs. It has a Mercury 200 Offshore on it. It has a SS 14 1/4 X 22P prop. It has a hard time getting up on plane. Once on plane my gps says it is running at 43 mph and I am at 4500rpm. Thats with 4 people and no gear. Any thoughts??? I have searched the forums high and low to find out how this combination should peform but no luck.

 

[commander315]

Re: How fast should it go

I woulda guessed 30-40mph... maybe the gps is right

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: How fast should it go

your top speed sounds pretty good I thinkg but slow to get on plane doesnt...whats was the 4500 rpm at a WOT? and if so what is merc's recommended WOT... sounds low....might be able to change that pitch from a 22 to a 19

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How fast should it go

You are a bit overpropped. a 19 or 20 pitch prop would be better. Top speed will stay about the same, but you will have much better power.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: How fast should it go

I agree, I think you are a little over propped.

 

[capt sam]

Re: How fast should it go

agreed.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: How fast should it go

Take into account the other things that help get a boat on plane.

~ Hull growth - I would assume it's trailered? The hull is clean, free of debris and waxed?

~ Prop - Already mentioned to death. You prop should be able to get to the middle of the range of WOT. Figure roughly 5000-5300 RPM.

~ Trim tabs - Is your boat equipped with trim tabs? If not, look into it. They are relatively inexpensive and are one of the best modifications you can make to your boat.

~ Engine trim - When starting off, I always found it best to put the drive all the way down to it's limit, then bump it up for 1 seceond (so it doesn't send vibration and noise through the hull).

Additional things would also be the amount of load, dispacement of load in the boat (the other 3 adults all the way to the back of the boat wil have a significant impact on getting the boat out of the water), engine tuning, etc.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: How fast should it go

i have a similar boat with 200hp ocean pro, and i bought it with a 21p pitch prop, it turned 4500 rpms at about 44 mph. i now i have a 17p and turn 5700 at 44mph but with an awesome hole shot and great power throughout. i would guess your boat will be similar, a 17 or 19 pitch im sure.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How fast should it go

A little over propped is an understatement.

The WOT on that motor is 6K rpm so you want it propped to run 5700-5900 RPM. Should be running a 17P prop with that combo.

Go Stainless, 4 blade if you have the money. I'm running a 14 x 17 Renegade offshore 4 blade on a 200HP. Great hole shot and I top out @ 40 mph on a boat that weighs over #5K.