planing out, 4.3l volvo penta, 18' regal open bow

[hogbaptist]

I have a very hard time planing out on my 18' Regal. If I have 2 people it takes a little bit, but if I have 4 people, I have to tell everybody to go to the front so it will plane out. It will then take forever. I'm not sure what the i'm maxing out on RPM's but I do know that I have a 21 pinch prop. The engine sounds fine. it doesn't sound like it's missing or anything. It's a rebuilt 4.3l V6 from volvo. Manufacturer rebuilt it.

do you guys recommend going to a 19 or even 17 pitch prop. I want to be able to pull skiers up, and right now I can barely pull a tube up.

Also, I had another problem. I almost sunk my boat. We went out playing in it, and then I pulled it up on the bank to eat lunch. I launched off and took off and nothing happened hardly. it then died. I then opened the engine compartment and it was half full of water. I think the water got my starter. The bilge pump stopped working. Do I have a leak? If so, any idea's where? I filled it up with water and couldn't find a leak. Could it be coming in through the out drive? The bottom of the boat was also filled with water. There was quite a bit of water.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: planing out, 4.3l volvo penta, 18' regal open bow

[colour=blue]G'day Hogbaptist (huh!), welcome to iboats!!

So many problems, where to start?

The water in the bilge and the sluggish behavior are probably related. The prop pitch can only be correctly diagnosed once the water leak is fixed and you fit a tachometer.

The water leak - Out of the water, inspect the underneath of the hull for holes, cracks etc, if you can't find anything, try doing it at night with someone inside the boat shining a torch (with you underneath).
The water may be coming in through the outdrive seal but for more specific info you would need to post the model of the outdrive.
It may also be leaking into the bilge via the cooling system, once again, more specifics are forthcoming once the model is known.

One of the first things you will need is a manual.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: planing out, 4.3l volvo penta, 18' regal open bow

you were probably taking in water the entire time adding weight to the boat. water is 8lb to the gallon, 20 gallons equals an pseron ect.

 

[hogbaptist]

Re: planing out, 4.3l volvo penta, 18' regal open bow

Thanks Dunaruna! Well I have a Volvo Penta Cobra SX with a volvo penta 4.3l V6. I'm not sure at all where the hole is. I have a couple of places where the outer shell has come off, but nothing more than 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. But it doesn't seem to be a hole. The inner webbing stuff (love the technical jargon?) is still over the hole. I am going to repair those myself.

As for the sluggish behavior, it has always done that since I got it about 3 months ago. There will be some water in the bilge, maybe 5 gallons at the most, and probably not even that.

I have a tachometer, but I just haven't known to look at it. I didn't start really learning about my boat till it has broken on me.