NHGuy
Captain
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 3,631
Hey,. I've been lurking for a couple of months and I'm ready to ask for a little input.
Boat is a 1988 Baja Sunsport 196 with a 5.7L, 260 HP, 4 barrel Rochester carb, Mercruiser Alpha 1, 1.47 ratio, 14.5 x 19 Michigan wheel Vortex prop. I get 51 MPH at 4800 RPMs.There is more throttle available, I just won't run past 4800 RPMs. I weighed it with full fuel (27 gallons) but I do not know the trailer weight. Trailer is a Shoreline single axle galvanized with rollers, no brakes and manual winch. The trailer axle weighed 3660 lbs and the tongue is about 175 lbs. My inferred boat weight is 3000 to 3200 lbs. Boat is 19 foot 6 inches long, 20 degree deadrise vee bottom with no pad and I do not remember width. I normally have 400 to 600 lbs aboard in live weight.
When I go out on my home lake I can't exceed 45 MPH due to local speed limit. But it is a trial rule and may be allowed (I pray) to expire. We are at 500 feet above sea level.
It hole shots fine, I full loaded it one time and it went to a plane darn well. No issue tubing the kids. I almost took my old bones out and water skied the other day, but it didn't happen. Probably better for my over-50 back and knees.
The boat goes a bit nose high when running slowly, just before plane. I know, they all do.
Should I look at a 4 blade prop, maybe 20 or 21" pitch? I might go for that if it can be reasonably expected to lift the stern a bit. Do higher pitch props improve fuel use while cruising? Or should I just bring money? I really kind of want a big prop so I can be cool like the big blocks and high powered outboards!
There will be lots of times I want to putt along below planing speed. Our lake can be choppy and my wife can't take the beating sometimes. Should I save my money for tabs? Or should I look for a stern lifting prop. The prop seems like a cheaper, quicker solution.
Thanks for reading my ramble.
Noob.
Boat is a 1988 Baja Sunsport 196 with a 5.7L, 260 HP, 4 barrel Rochester carb, Mercruiser Alpha 1, 1.47 ratio, 14.5 x 19 Michigan wheel Vortex prop. I get 51 MPH at 4800 RPMs.There is more throttle available, I just won't run past 4800 RPMs. I weighed it with full fuel (27 gallons) but I do not know the trailer weight. Trailer is a Shoreline single axle galvanized with rollers, no brakes and manual winch. The trailer axle weighed 3660 lbs and the tongue is about 175 lbs. My inferred boat weight is 3000 to 3200 lbs. Boat is 19 foot 6 inches long, 20 degree deadrise vee bottom with no pad and I do not remember width. I normally have 400 to 600 lbs aboard in live weight.
When I go out on my home lake I can't exceed 45 MPH due to local speed limit. But it is a trial rule and may be allowed (I pray) to expire. We are at 500 feet above sea level.
It hole shots fine, I full loaded it one time and it went to a plane darn well. No issue tubing the kids. I almost took my old bones out and water skied the other day, but it didn't happen. Probably better for my over-50 back and knees.
The boat goes a bit nose high when running slowly, just before plane. I know, they all do.
Should I look at a 4 blade prop, maybe 20 or 21" pitch? I might go for that if it can be reasonably expected to lift the stern a bit. Do higher pitch props improve fuel use while cruising? Or should I just bring money? I really kind of want a big prop so I can be cool like the big blocks and high powered outboards!
There will be lots of times I want to putt along below planing speed. Our lake can be choppy and my wife can't take the beating sometimes. Should I save my money for tabs? Or should I look for a stern lifting prop. The prop seems like a cheaper, quicker solution.
Thanks for reading my ramble.
Noob.
