Not enough power ?

[bball321]

I finally got my 1989 VIP Vison out into the water this weekend. It has the 2.3 Cobra engine. I had two adults and 2 children about 100lbs. in the boat. It struggled to get up on plane. Everything seems to be running very smoothly. Is this all the power I can expect out of this 2.3 Cobra? Once I am up on plane it cruises along just great. Any suggestions for a little more power or how to get up on plane easier?

 

[DJ]

Re: Not enough power ?

Power, is quite often, a factor of propeller choice. You are working with about 125 prop. shaft horsepower. The 2.3L is a tough/strong little engine.<br /><br />What is your RPM at wide open throttle?

 

[bball321]

Re: Not enough power ?

I am not sure what my rpms are at wide open, but, they are a little over 2000, when I am going 25mph. Like I said once I do get it planed out, it runs very nicely. I have had it up to a little over 30 mph.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Not enough power ?

25 mph at 2000 rpm,sounds like your running a 20 or 21 pitch prop.That stills sounds like low rpms for 25 mph..<br />How big of boat are we talking about?

 

[blouderback]

Re: Not enough power ?

I think that's what you're gonna get. You might be able to improve your "hole shot" by adding a hydrofoil or trim tabs, or changing the prop to a smaller pitch (at the expense of top end speed). If you're getting a pretty good top end out of it, I think the engine is probably performing properly. Sometimes, a 17 year old boat soaks up water and gains a few hundred pounds, making the original engine not powerful enough for the weight of the boat. <br /><br />Give us some more details on the boat - prop pitch, drive gear ratio, boat weight/length, wide open throttle (WOT) rmps, etc.

 

[bball321]

Re: Not enough power ?

The is a 17 footer. Gary H NC, I may be running a little more RPM's @ 25mph. Like I said, once I am up on plane it runs great. I would just like to get up, and planed out a little faster when I have 4 or 5 people in the boat.

 

[Don S]

Re: Not enough power ?

You only need to know 2 things at this point.<br />What your WOT rpm is, and what size prop you now have.<br />Without those 2 items it's just a WAG as to what to do.