New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

[etransfer]

A few weeks ago I bought a new 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF and here's my review.

The boat came clean and waxed etc. but I had to tighten almost all the bolts and screws etc.. It seemed like everything was loose for some reason but once I fixed these they are now tight.

The boat came with a 4.3 V6 MPI 220 HP motor and is 21' long.

First the bad:

The boat was fast out of the hole but would go down in the water several feet causing the bow to rise high I was blind for 5 seconds or so.

The boat rocked really bad side to side when I hit another boats wake.

With three adults I got up to 57 MPH at 5200 RPMs at max throttle.

With the stock alum prop at 4100 RPM's it went 35 MPH and at 4700 RPM's it went 45 MPH. At WOT 5200 RPM's it went 57 MPH. The engine alarm sounded so I backed off at this RPM !


The good:

The boat handles really good on turns and rides smooth. It feels just like you're floating on the water.

This boat hardly uses any gas and gets up to 50 MPH really fast.

There's room for stowing everything so you don't have a bunch things bouncing around the boat.

There hasn't been a drop of water in the boat yet !


I installed 60 lb SX smart tabs and a Hustler 21" prop.

Now the boat gets on plane in 3 seconds and rides like it's floating on air.

The ride is like riding in a cadillac on the water. You feel very few bumps and at 45 MPH it seems like 20 MPH.

The Hustler Prop gets the boat up to 45 MPH in 5-6 seconds at only 3500 RPM's and 52 MPH at 4200 RPM's.

I had the wife with me so I didn't run up all the way to WOT but at 52 MPH I did push the throttle all the way down and there was alot more left and I felt the boat jump but I Backed down after 2 seconds or so because she was yelling at me.

I would guess the max speed to be 61-63 or so ?

The smart tabs keep the boat level and wakes aren't an issue and now there's
very little movement from side to side going over wakes.

I did have an issue installing the SX tabs because the ski platform comes out too far and it makes for a bad angle. The actuator was hitting the tabs where the holes are and it caused the actuator to get bent. This is a design issue with the SX Tabs.

What I did was cut off four of the holes so the actuator didn't hit them and installed the actuator in the hole closest to the boat. I called Nauticus and they sent me some new high performance actuators which I just installed today but haven't tested yet.


Overall I love this boat at it rides really nice. I really like the high gas milage and the fast cruising speed !

 

[Wotam]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

>"It feels just like you're floating on the water"

That's a very good thing in a boat. :>)

To the forum moderators/owners etc:

A forum section on boat reviews and/or product reviews would be a great addition to this site. Well, IMHO anyway.

 

[DufferJim]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

There kind of is a section like that with all the manufacturers threads at the bottom of the forums page. I know what you're saying though, and I agree, but there seem to be some very sensitive people on these forums regarding specific manufacturers and what could be viewed as spam or advertising.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

>"It feels just like you're floating on the water"

That's a very good thing in a boat. :>)

Yea and every time I've been out it's been really windy and the water choppy !

 

[scoathy]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I installed 60 lb SX smart tabs and a Hustler 21" prop.

Now the boat gets on plane in 3 seconds and rides like it's floating on air...

...The smart tabs keep the boat level and wakes aren't an issue and now there's
very little movement from side to side going over wakes...

I did have an issue installing the SX tabs because the ski platform comes out too far and it makes for a bad angle. The actuator was hitting the tabs where the holes are and it caused the actuator to get bent. This is a design issue with the SX Tabs.

Hey man, I am looking at the smart tabs and am wondering why you purchased the 60lb SX? The nauticus site called for the 80lb for your boat size. I am just getting back into boating after 15 years and would value your comments and opinion on the Smart Tabs. Also, why did you purchase the SX series over th originals? Did you test them out with the new actuators yet?

Thanks!

Scott

 

[JCMINIS]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I have my thoughts but would you mind to specify whether your speed readings were from the speedo or GPS ? I bought a used boat as our 1st,and was looking at this boat as our next.........Thanks JC

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

Hey man, I am looking at the smart tabs and am wondering why you purchased the 60lb SX? The nauticus site called for the 80lb for your boat size. I am just getting back into boating after 15 years and would value your comments and opinion on the Smart Tabs. Also, why did you purchase the SX series over th originals? Did you test them out with the new actuators yet?

Thanks!

Scott

I bought the 80lbs and plowed the water so I called www.nauticusinc.com and they sent me the 60's.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I have my thoughts but would you mind to specify whether your speed readings were from the speedo or GPS ? I bought a used boat as our 1st,and was looking at this boat as our next.........Thanks JC

I've tried 5 props so far and here's what I have:

Stock prop 19": blew out and spun up the RPM's and alarm went off at 5200 RPM's

Hustler 21": Did 60 MPH on speedo with 5 people, nice cruising speed and great gas milage- RPM's too low at 4300 but cruising speed a very nice ride at 45 MPH. Pulled a tube pretty good.

Hustler 19": Did 54 MPH, RPM's 4900 - cruising lower then hustler - Noisy prop
and didn't pull a tube good at low speed and gas mileage sucked.

Apollo SS 21": Did 56 MPH (top was up), RPM's 4500 - Zero slip on turns - nice crusing prop. Couldn't get any more speed after 60% throttle.

Apollo SS 19": Did 56 MPH (Top still up), RPM's 4900 - Zero slip on turns - great hole shot - Only me driving so not too much weight to test. The speed 0 to 50 MPH went like a raped ape !

Enertia 20": Will test this Saturday


NOTE: If they sold a 20" Hustler Alum it would be perfect for this boat !

 

[newfiejudd]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I've tried 5 props so far and here's what I have:

Stock prop 19": blew out and spun up the RPM's and alarm went off at 5200 RPM's

Hustler 21": Did 60 MPH on speedo with 5 people, nice cruising speed and great gas milage- RPM's too low at 4300 but cruising speed a very nice ride at 45 MPH. Pulled a tube pretty good.

Hustler 19": Did 54 MPH, RPM's 4900 - cruising lower then hustler - Noisy prop
and didn't pull a tube good at low speed and gas mileage sucked.

Apollo SS 21": Did 56 MPH (top was up), RPM's 4500 - Zero slip on turns - nice crusing prop. Couldn't get any more speed after 60% throttle.

Apollo SS 19": Did 56 MPH (Top still up), RPM's 4900 - Zero slip on turns - great hole shot - Only me driving so not too much weight to test. The speed 0 to 50 MPH went like a raped ape !

Enertia 20": Will test this Saturday


NOTE: If they sold a 20" Hustler Alum it would be perfect for this boat !

What prop would you guys recommend for a Tahoe Q6 SF with the 4.3l 190 hp Merc. What other recommendations would you make for that boat. I am also using this boat in Fresh and Salt water.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

Enertia 20": Will test this Saturday !

You won't be disappointed with this prop. I have three of them in various pitches for different loads. Gets me up on plane quick, stays on plane a very low speeds and very responsive.

Post some pics of your trim tab install. I want to see how you mounted them on your Tahoe.

 

[bhammer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

What are you using to measure your speed with? What gear ratio is your outdrive?

Not to doubt you, but I have the same engine, smaller boat and I am no where close to the numbers you mention. Even when I plug it into a propeller calculator, I can only get close to your numbers using a slip factor of 1% using a 1.51:1 gear ratio.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

etransfer,
How many hours do you have on the engine? You mentioned you just bought it a few weeks ago. Did you follow the Merc engine break in schedule? Running at full throttle to early is not good for a new motor, they have very specific instructions about the first 20 hours of motor use.

 

[oops!]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

What are you using to measure your speed with? What gear ratio is your outdrive?

Not to doubt you, but I have the same engine, smaller boat and I am no where close to the numbers you mention. Even when I plug it into a propeller calculator, I can only get close to your numbers using a slip factor of 1% using a 1.51:1 gear ratio.

thats really flying for a 4.3 but the speeds are on the clock....not gps

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

etransfer,
How many hours do you have on the engine? You mentioned you just bought it a few weeks ago. Did you follow the Merc engine break in schedule? Running at full throttle to early is not good for a new motor, they have very specific instructions about the first 20 hours of motor use.

Right at 20 hours now and I've changed the oil three times and the outdrive twice!

I've been using the Speedo and GPS and I've only opened it up for 30 seconds
at a time. In the first few tests I didn't have a GPS yet and since then I've used GPS.

I've found that the GPS has always been 3-4 MPH faster then the speedo. I only had the GPS on the last three outings but it's been running right around 58-59 MPH with wide open throttle for less than 30 seconds with the 19" and 20" props.

I'm going to test the Hustler 21" with the GPS next week and I'll report back the numbers.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

thats really flying for a 4.3 but the speeds are on the clock....not gps

I went out yesterday for a few hours and kept the 20" Enertia on.

Three adults on board and we did 58 MPH on speedo and 61 on GPS.

I only had it wide open for about 30 - 40 seconds. I played with the
trim and it had to be up right at 50% to get this speed. My speed increased from 50 MPH to 61 with just adjusting the trim.

 

[bhammer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I went out yesterday for a few hours and kept the 20" Enertia on.

Three adults on board and we did 58 MPH on speedo and 61 on GPS.

I only had it wide open for about 30 - 40 seconds. I played with the
trim and it had to be up right at 50% to get this speed. My speed increased from 50 MPH to 61 with just adjusting the trim.

etransfer, there is no way unless you are seriously over the redline / WOT of the engine. Just search for porpeller calculator in google and try any one of them. Just isn't any way possible under the best cases as you have described. If you are that far over redline, you are going to damage you engine and it will not be covered by Merc

And, to add to this, go seach any website that does boat reviews and they don't even come close. I guess you have a special boat...

The funny thing is, my neighbor has the exact same boat with the bigger engine, the merc 5.0L MPI and he can barley break 50 with just himself and very limited fuel. He is running at the max of WOT with a 21". Here is a test I have seen on-line and there are others, even with your engine size:

http://www.boatinglife.com/article_content.jsp?ID=35174
Test Drive
Test Engine: MerCruiser 5.0 MPI, Alpha
Test Prop: 15 x 21, aluminum
Test Load: People (400 lb.); Fuel (30 gal.)
Top Speed: 50.6 MPH @ 5,000 RPM
Time to Plane: 3.7 sec
Time to 30 MPH: 8.5 sec.
Min. Plane: 19 MPH @ 2,400 RPM, 82 db

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

etransfer, there is no way unless you are seriously over the redline / WOT of the engine. Just search for porpeller calculator in google and try any one of them. Just isn't any way possible under the best cases as you have described. If you are that far over redline, you are going to damage you engine and it will not be covered by Merc

And, to add to this, go seach any website that does boat reviews and they don't even come close. I guess you have a special boat...

The funny thing is, my neighbor has the exact same boat with the bigger engine, the merc 5.0L MPI and he can barley break 50 with just himself and very limited fuel. He is running at the max of WOT with a 21". Here is a test I have seen on-line and there are others, even with your engine size:

http://www.boatinglife.com/article_content.jsp?ID=35174
Test Drive
Test Engine: MerCruiser 5.0 MPI, Alpha
Test Prop: 15 x 21, aluminum
Test Load: People (400 lb.); Fuel (30 gal.)
Top Speed: 50.6 MPH @ 5,000 RPM
Time to Plane: 3.7 sec
Time to 30 MPH: 8.5 sec.
Min. Plane: 19 MPH @ 2,400 RPM, 82 db

I agree, and once his engine blows and the put a code reader on his ECU say goodbye warranty.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

I agree, and once his engine blows and the put a code reader on his ECU say goodbye warranty.

The RPM's were only 4700 !

The dealer told me the 4.3 MPI on the Q6 is rated to go 55 MPH with the stock prop and that the MerCruiser 5.0 MPI was a heavier engine so the Q6 with the 4.3 was faster.

If it's rated to go 55 with a stock prop and I have smart tabs (adds 1-3 MPH) and the enertia prop (plus 1-3 MPH) and three people on board going 61 is pretty easy to believe ?

 

[1976 Slickcraft]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

You have a very special boat.
Jesse

 

[bhammer]

Re: New Boat Review - 2008 Tahoe Q6 SF

The RPM's were only 4700 !

The dealer told me the 4.3 MPI on the Q6 is rated to go 55 MPH with the stock prop and that the MerCruiser 5.0 MPI was a heavier engine so the Q6 with the 4.3 was faster.

If it's rated to go 55 with a stock prop and I have smart tabs (adds 1-3 MPH) and the enertia prop (plus 1-3 MPH) and three people on board going 61 is pretty easy to believe ?

Well, he said it is "rated" then that probably means the max speed it should be driven. And, that is only under best case. Speed and weights are often very conseritive by any dealer or manufacturer.

Hey, if you are getting those speeds with your setup, great.

I called my BPS in Grapevine, and he said that they can often get 50 with minimal gear and fuel with the 4.3 MPI....

You have a special boat. I am glad that you have one that is up there and hope I don;t see you on the lake casue you will kick my butt in a run.