Stock 175 ?'s

[Ripper]

I have a 1985 stock 175 Mariner. I am interested in any mods for less then a grand, Any ideas??? I am running it on a Valero YT Bowrider and it has a Bob's NC w/ LWP. I would like to get a little more out of it if possible. I believe when the did the NC the exhust was ported also. (Tuner on back with two removable plugs on the midsection) Aslo how big of a motor has people put on these? I'm thinking of upgrading my motor to something faster. I would love to see 90+ if possible? Any answers would be really apreciated...

Ripper

[pyro]

It should run 80+ with a 200, and 85+ with a 225 Promax and some good setup, as long as the hull is healthy inside and out.

Let's start with what you've got right now:

Compression check to test motor health, and verify if heads are stock or shaved. Increasing compression is the simplest, most effective HP increase, with the appropriate carb jetting changes.

A leakdown test can reveal what a compression test may not regarding motor health.

What propshaft height are you running in relation to the hull's pad? (with motor trimmed neutral to pad) eg. "X inches under"

What props do you own? what props have you tested?
What's your best top end GPS speed and RPM?
Does the motor have solid mounts? What type of steering? Hydraulic jackplate, or manual?
How much setback?
Any handling complaints?

Keep an eye on those added exhaust relief holes, cracks can develop in the midsection there over time, especially in rough water conditions.

200+ HP on a Valero is common. No added weight, just more balls. A few people have hung a 2.5 in excess of 260+ HP on a Valero.

A snap-in fabric bow cover will pick up a few MPH easy just from aerodynamics.

-Chad

[Ripper]

I believe I have the ideal set up, just need info on a motor...
: 1987 Hydro-Stream Valero YT
: 1985 175 HP Mariner
: 4X8 Land &Sea Hydraulic Lift
: Bob’s Nose Cone w/LWP
: 25 S/S Hi-Five & 26 - 28 -30 S/S Chopper Props
: Stereo System (w/ Punch 800 amp)

I run it about an inch or so below the pad I think for best speed. I don't know GPS speed, (don't have one) and my pick up flips up around 60 mph so I don't know what I am doing now for mph. I also wondering if a 260 would be reliable for what I do in it. Tube, Barefoot, wakeboard ect... I want the speed and the reliability also... I dont think i have solid motor mounts, (how can you tell)? Motor runs very solid though and always has...

Ripper

[pyro]

If the motor jiggles and shakes a little bit at idle, then it probably has stock rubber mounts. They allow the motor to flop back and forth slightly at speed, making chine-walk worse. Solid mounts will improve handling, but will make the boat vibrate more.

A better speedo pickup aka "pitot" will help. The Medallion pitots are a popular choice. They have a small chamber and a spring-loaded piston that pressurizes with water at speed to keep the pickup down, while still allowing it to kick up if it hits a log, boat lift support, trailer, etc. You can buy them directly from Borg Warner, Inc over the phone with a CC, or do a search, someone here had a bunch for sale, they should be between $30 and $50.

Check the part numbers on your choppers, make sure you know exactly what you have. some of them may have been modified at one time or another.
http://abiossa.gearhost.net/adamsdock/chopper.html

-Chad

[Ripper]

Your info will help greatly... I plan to put a better speed meter on or even just buy a gps. I think a bow cover will be a huge help also for a few MPH. I can have a friend do that for cheap!


Ripper

Any idea how fast a stock 260 would make it run?

or is a 225 better, if so what type of 225?

[ProComp]

For an open bow, go fast family boat, I would go with the 225 ProMax. Charging system, oil injection and a lot quieter than a horn motor. Cheaper to fix too as they are steel bore.
They can be modified for more HP if you find you need it.

ProComp

[Ripper]

How fast would the promax (stock) make it go about? Have you heard or know of any?

Rip

[Ripper]

Any idea of how fast my Valero YT Bowrider would go with a stock 225 Promax??? any one see one or know of one???

[Scream And Fly]

I'm not sure about the bowrider, but a closed deck Valero YT that is properly setup with a 225 ProMax should run in the mid 90s.

Greg

[Ripper]

Sounds like that is what I'm looking for then... That is about where I would like to be running... thanks Greg! Any thought if a bow cover would really give me a few MPH (I feel 2 to 3 is alot from just that)???

Rip

[Scream And Fly]

I'm not sure what the penalty on the open bow is. It would be great to input your boat's measurements into Aeromarine Research's Tunnel Boat Design Program (http://www.aeromarineresearch.com) to see what kind of analysis it would return. That program is amazingly accurate - it predicted the top speed of our STV within 3 tenths of a MPH! Measuring accuracy is the key though.

Greg

[fijjity]

Bow cover gave me 4mph. warms it up in the evening, too. Raker is pretty squirrely lotsa bowlift, but needed for the bowrider. I am at 78 mph with stock 175 'rude Xflow.

[Ripper]

I plan to have it done ASAP then! I'll let you know what I see... I'm new to GPS and have never used it. My friend has one I can borrow. How do you calc speed with it? Is there a setting on it. What is the best way to do it (if any)?

Ripper

[Ripper]

Can someone fill me in on this?

[Wildcat731]

i have a hydrostream vasserrett yt (same boat as the valero just different name after '89 i believe) and with a 200 merc sportmaster case with 2:1 gears im spinning a 31 cleaver between 6-6400 at 81 mph. This is an open bow boat and it came with a bow cover so this weekend im gonna throw it on and see what i pick up for speed. I've ran it all summer and never really had the ambition to throw that front cover on till now, just for curiosity. Ripper ill let you know on tuesday how it went

[Scream And Fly]

Any inexpensive handheld GPS can record speed. The Garmin E-Trex is very popular, and they start at about $100. They will automatically record current top speed, maximum speed, and other functions. It's a tool you should not be without!

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=481635

Greg

[Ripper]

I'm off to get one this weekend then. I look forward to knowing what my boat really does. ( I am guessing high 70's) I have run boats that say they do 80+ and I have walked them. However using programs to calc my speed... I would figure high 70's at best. I would love to say I am part of the 80+ club, I'll let you know this weekend, Thanks dclax618 I look forward to hearing from you. Could you post a picture of it when it is on your boat. I would like to have an idea of the design to show my canvas guy!

Ripper

[Wildcat731]

Yea not a problem I'll try and remember to bring the digital camera up this weekend.

[Ripper]

Any word on this...

Ripper

[sho305]

BTW, not sure where all they are located but Aldi stores has an Etrex advertised for $79 starting today here...:) Cheap as I have seen for bare GPS speedo functions. Going to look in a few.

[Wildcat731]

Im workin on resizing the pics now but here is the performance update.
Little bit chilly morning I'd say low 60's, a decent wind blowing out of the south right up the lake, About 1' chop crest to depression(i'll post a pic of the conditions so you can see for yourself)
By myself and a little under half a tank (probably around 10 gallons) i ran 84 at 6500 rpm spinning a 31 cleaver.
So i picked up 3-4 mph simply by covering the bow.

[Ripper]

Wow, I would have never thought that... Thanks! I plan to have one made now. I look forward to seeing how yours looks. For 2- 4 MPH that is a cheap "upgrade"... I have looked for a GPS and some are going on sale next week, so I plan to buy one then... I can 't wait to see what I actually am running! (I hope 75+) I will keep you posted...

Thanks again,

Ripper

Here is the before picture, Stay tuned for the after...

[Wildcat731]

It was rougher farther out in the lake but i wasnt thinking and didnt bring the camera in the boat with me, anyways hope those helped you Ripper.

[Ripper]

Thanks for the picts. I saved them and will print and show my canvas guy (DC Canvas, Dennis C. Winona MN) I'm not sure if I'm in a hurry for the GPS next week or the Canvas. I'm thinking I'll get the GPS and play with differant setups to see what is the most fast for me. Then after determining that, I will get the top and go from there. I also need that center windshield part, Any idea of where I could get one of those??? I wonder if that would effect speed ???

Ripper

[Ripper]

Any ideas of where to get the "center piece" windshield for my Valero YT???

Ripper

[Jimboat]

Ripper & Greg - Greg is right that the closed deck design will be much more aerodynamically efficient. At 80-90mph range, closing in the deck of the bowrider could gain 2-3 mph all by itself!

[Ripper]

Any ideas for getting a center piece for my windshield???

Ripper

[fijjity]

I had a local glass shop make me one. (after someone covered the boat and left it open and I towed it that way) Cost me $120. They had made them before. They mad a new frame also becuase the old one was bent. If you have the frame, it is easier. Otherwise you may hafta leave the boat.

[sho305]

I know it is not stock, but I am surprised nobody has tried to fit a bayliner windshield to one-providing it would fit of course. People toss the boats in the trash, and they are way swept back though maybe more weight. Ya don't have to tell anyone what boat it came off from ya know:D lol

Just an idea. The only thing I don't like is how close to you it is, though this is only a 16'. If I lean forward to inspect/work on the dash I have to be careful of hitting my head on it.

[sho305]

If you changed the side glass and got rid of that flat there, that might look better also. Ignore the hull...

The glass shops usually cut the glass and send it out to be treated into safety glass, that is the cost. Can use lexan but not the same. I did have one like that, I buffed the scratches out and was careful of it and it worked ok...if you have a frame.