Why do I hate my boat?

[Kip_Johnston]

Ok, so maybe 'hate' is too strong of a word, but I can't shake the feeling that there is something not quite right about by '07 2006 Sundeck 260. It has the 6.2L engine with Bravo3 drive, and there's no denying that it has enough torque to drive everybody back in their seats on a moments notice.

But it does take forever to get up on plane, and the difference between 75% throttle and 100% throttle equates to a lot of noise, but not much performance change.

This is the first boat I've ever owned or piloted on a regular basis, so I don't know if:
a) I've got unrealistic expectations
b) There's something I'm not doing properly
c) There's something off with this particular craft

Any ideas?

I've built cars for years, and if this boat were a car, I would think that the tires were underinflated or I had a seriously slipping clutch. Obviously I understand that there will be a performance difference between car and a boat, but it serves to illustrate what I perceive is "off" with this boat.

Thanks in advance for your comments or suggestions.

 

[Sundancer]

So let's start with the basics. When you hit the throttle from a dead start or slow idle, are your trim tabs all the way down and the engine all the way down as well? When you say it takes a while to plane, how long? Approximately 5 seconds or 50 seconds? When you are on a plane and correctly trimmed what are the rpm's at WOT (Wide Open Throttle.)? You need to check your owners manual to determine the correct WOT range for the 6.2. I'm guessing 4,600 rpm or something like that? The purpose of doing this is to determine whether or not you have something wrong with the engine or if your props are pitched right. The pitch is similar to the gears on a car, a lower pitch will get you on plane faster, but you MAY lose some top speed. A higher pitch will give you better top end if your engine has enough oomph to get up on plane and can still hit the WOT range recommended. Other factors can contribute like water in the bilge, overloaded boat, etc., but I trust you've already checked those.

Let us know and we'll try to point you in the right direction!

 

[skolbe]

Can you give us specifics of your attempting to bring the boat on plane - specifically trim, tabs and throttle? How long is it taking to get the boat on plane. Is the boat kept in the water? Is it bottom painted?

 

[derekf]

But it does take forever to get up on plane, and the difference between 75% throttle and 100% throttle equates to a lot of noise, but not much performance change.

Are you saying there is no increase in speed or rpms from 75% to 100%?

 

[Firerooster]

Not enough info....

 

[Dave S]

I owned a 240 Sundeck which was the same overall length as your 260 Sundeck. Mine was equipped with a 260HP 5.0 engine.

Here are a couple of facts about the operation of my 240 SD. It would come up on plane in about 5-6 seconds. Once it reached roughly 20 MPH it would plane off just fine. My drive was trimmed all the way down when I started off and only required a tiny bit of "up" trim once on plane to get it to smooth out (you can actual feel the boat smooth out and the speed will increase as well.) I hardly ever used my trim tabs except to balance a load side to side when up on plane.

If this compares favorably with your 260SD then it is probably performing in a normal fashion. If you still feel it takes your boat too long to come up on plane, there is an adjustment your dealer can perform on the outdrive to change the angle of the drive that will allow it to come up on plane faster.

Dave

 

[chuck1]

Like Dave and some of the others said make sure the trim/drive is all the way down. The 260 and 240 are the same and my 350mag gets it on plane just fine.

 

[JVM225]

All of the above is good advice. If you try it all, and still have the problem. You might want to start looking at the prop.

 

[Sundancer]

Could be as simple as a prop change too. Well, that's not inexpensive or simple on a BIII!!

 

[1956olds]

Mabey just as simple as a spark plug boot popped off half way.