Performance of 1970 SRV 190 w/mercruiser 165

[Michaelbluewolf]

Hello to All,
I am still working to finish my 1970 Sea Ray SRV 190 with mercruiser 165.
I was curious as to anyone that might know what kind of performance this combo will put forth when running properly.
Top speed and handling, I know I have a very old and rare to still be running boat here and yes, the 165 inline 6 is not a power house engine.
So, hopefully someone has something close. The original Sea Ray brochure says the boat weights in at 1958 pounds.

Thanks to all that respond, Mike:huh:

 

[lawndoctor]

I had a 1971 SRV 190 from 1978 until 1987 (the "avocado" hull color with a white deck). I rebuilt the engine (and most of the rest of the boat) myself. It was a great performer. It topped out around 40 mph (based on a stopwatch over a measured mile, which was how it was done then), could easily pop up my 200+ pound lifeguard buddies on a single slalom ski, and tote 4 of us around all day no problem. It was also very economical on gas, I think it burned about 3-4 gallons per hour. I replaced the factory 18 gallon steel fuel tank with a 36 gallon aluminum tank, and a full tank would last what seemed like forever. The boat had a particulary heavy and strong hull for a boat that size in its day, and that combined with the deep vee made it great at handling rough water. We used to take it out in the ocean to wave jump, and we even water skiied off shore in the ocean. Many great years on that boat. Anything more specific I can tell you?

 

[Michaelbluewolf]

Thanks lawndoctor,
Sounds like I can still use this boat to go skiing and tubing. I live close to the Carolina Beach area here in North Cackalacky and might take the boat out on calm days to see the coast. This of course will be once the boat is 100% ship shape and tried and reliable. I wasn't sure about the speed or the handling since I bought this as a project boat for little or nothing.
Thanks again for your experience.
Mike

 

[lawndoctor]

Sure thing, my pleasure. Keep me posted on your progress with it. Would be nice to hear and see (photos, if you have them) how the boat works out for you. One other thing I remember being a bit finicky was the carburetor (two barrel). It seemed to take a lot of fiddling around to get the idle, and transition from idle to speed, just right. You need to have that set right for pulling up skiers.