Wide Open Throttle

[rdgallo]

I have a 1994 Johnson 150 Faststrike mounted on a 1994 Ranger 375V. I keep reading various posts about RPM at WOT, overpropping, etc. and have a question. I have never operated my motor at WOT as I don't care to go that fast in the boat (I really don't know what top end is, but I have had it up to 65 MPH and was not at WOT). Therefore, I have no idea what RPM WOT is with the prop that is on the boat. I usually get it up on plane and run 35 to 40 MPH. Am I doing the engine harm in not running at WOT?

 

[JB]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Probably not, Ron.<br /><br />If your boat gets out of the hole satisfactorily and responds well to the throttle there is no need to give it the "WOT" test.<br /><br />Your bassrocket will go a good deal faster than many people want to go on the water.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Thanks, JB. Your correct about the bass rocket going a good deal faster than many people want to go on the water. I prefer a leisurely, relaxing ride. Also, at the higher speeds, anything that can go wrong will do so rather quickly. As my late father-in-law used to say, "If I needed to get there faster, I would have left sooner".

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Ron,<br /><br />What is the length of your boat? Max HP rating?<br />Your 65 mph has me interested... As I'm running a Ranger 371V and can only reach 62mph with a Merc. 175...

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

KClost, my boat is 17ft. 10 in. Keep in mind that I am reading the stock installed speedometer and not checking it with GPS. I assume the speedometer is correct, but don't know for sure. Also, I am only 5 ft. 3 in. and weight about 140 pounds. Once with me and 3 good sized guys and a full load of fuel I had it up to 52 mph while trying to outrun a storm. I still had some throttle left at this time also. I hope this helps. I have a 3 blade Raker prop. I don't know what size and pitch off the top of my head and the boat is in storage, so I can't check that for you. I had the Raker put on while on vacation at Bull Shoals as the two previous props would cavitate badly in turns and whenever I rapidly increased the RPM.<br /><br />Ron

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

KClost, I forgot to include the maximum hp rating of the boat. It is 175 hp.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Well, It sounds like we basically have the same boat... But your motor must put out some serious power compared to mine...<br /><br />I've always known that my boat has more speed in it... Just can't get any more with my Mercury...<br /><br />Of course, your boat could be much lighter than mine... 1986 vs 1994...????

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Never, NEVER underestimate the ponies under the hood of a JOHNSON.......<br />There is a reason Merc had to discontinue their racing engines....Johnson could have put a 150 cowl on a 200 too.....

 

[Drydocked]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Originally posted by KCLOST:<br /> Well, It sounds like we basically have the same boat... But your motor must put out some serious power compared to mine...<br /><br />I've always known that my boat has more speed in it... Just can't get any more with my Mercury...<br /><br />Of course, your boat could be much lighter than mine... 1986 vs 1994...????

Wasn't 1986 the last year that US OBs were rated at the powerhead vs the propshaft? If so, your 175 might be putting out something less than 1994 175 HP.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Hi, Drydocked. My 1994 engine is a 150 hp instead of a 175.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Kenny, this past Sept. while on a fishing trip to Pepin, Ws., I had the director of a Walleye tournament tell me that the Johnson 150 Faststrike actually put out about 170 horses. I don't know if he was blowing smoke, but I had never heard that. I do know that this motor pushes the boat faster than I care to go unless I need to beat a storm back to the landing.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

That vintage of 150 has some special features that make it very reliable yet very strong.<br />As far as I'm concerned, it was one of the best built.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

The 1991 60 degree 150's were a bit healthier than the 92's as far as port timing. Merc and Yamaha both wrote letters of protest to the NMMA. In 92 both the 150 and 175 60 degree motors were a bit tamer and did fall into the NMMA's "advertised horsepower" guidelines. To say that every 150 was 170 hp would be stretching it a little. Thats why if you look up a replacement sleeve there's a different part number for the 91 than the 92 & up.<br /><br />Now if you really want a snappy 150 you could look into using the port timimng from a Ficht...

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Kenny, do you know what "special features" they had? Dhadley, are you saying my 1994 motor is one of the "tamer" motors? Also, could you expand a little on what you mean about the Ficht port trimming. I don't need to go any faster, but am just curious. Thanks!

 

[rdgallo]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Boy, both of us are having trouble spelling "timing". LOL

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Anyone have any idea of the weights of a 1994 375V Ranger vs. a 1986 371V??????

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Well, I called Ranger...<br /><br />1994 375V = 1300 lbs<br />1986 371V = 1200 lbs<br /><br />???????????

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

While the 1992 and newer 60 degree 150's are "tamer" than the 91's they are well within the NMMA's guidelines for advertised horsepower. They are at least 150 hp where the 91's may be over 165. <br /><br />The Ficht motors have some pretty aggresive port timimg. Port timing is where the ports are located in relation to piston travel in the sleeve. Port area (total open area) is probably larger too.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

Dh,<br /><br />Can you explain why Ron can easily get 65mph with his Johnson 150 with more to go, and I can only reach 62mph at WOT and trimmed out to max with my Merc. 175.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Wide Open Throttle

well, I missed out on some but I was refering to the fact it was a 60 deg. vs the 90.<br />Dhadley knows these better than I ever will, but port timing, jetting, ignition timing, un-obstructed exhaust flow, prop design and set-up can each add or subtract from your end result.<br /><br />KCLOST....never underestimate an OMC Raker prop. remember our conversation about the Trophy???<br />each performs differently.