Gas tank placement on a 1987 Viper

[reefhead99]

I have a 1987 Viper with a 150 blackmax with about 180 hp.

It has dual steering a hot foot, tilt and trim on steering wheel.

26 pitch chopper prop. Man. jackplate. Motor is stardard mid section.....but 135 hp. mid section. It's turning 5800 rpm. It's speed is about 85 mph. but very unsteady.

My question is should I place 20 gal. fuel tank in stern of boat or bow?

I know I sound retarded, that's because I am. :D

[Scream And Fly]

That's not a bad question at all, and welcome to Scream And Fly!

The best location for the tank is in the stern. If you place it in the bow, the boat's balance will be affected at every level of fuel in the tank.

Greg

[GelcoatJoe]

gas tank under the well is best, i have a 23 gal. in mine...and the back seat covers it all too

[stokernick]

welcomeaboard.maybe you should add a GPS while you're at it,cuz your figures = 68 mph,not 85!:o

[reefhead99]

welcomeaboard.maybe you should add a GPS while you're at it,cuz your figures = 68 mph,not 85!:o

I was asking this for my husband.....Jesus Christ, now he's gonna go run out and buy a GPS!!!!!

Thnaks for ya'lls input though...... I'll let him see this when he gets home.
:)

[Ripper]

Please also post your loacation... I had a 19 gallon in the back of my Vipor...

Ripper

[RNM018]

WOW , Your married to Jesus Christ ,And he drives a HydroStream ! Always knew I felt closer to GOD every time I got in my Boat ! Welcome to SREAM AND FLY ! Rich Martin 018 :D

[Riverman]

I'm putting a 10 gallon tank in my Viper, dead centre, as far back as the transom knees allow, I am rigging ccentre steer with two lightweight seats in tandem.

[reefhead99]

WOW , Your married to Jesus Christ ,And he drives a HydroStream ! Always knew I felt closer to GOD every time I got in my Boat ! Welcome to SREAM AND FLY ! Rich Martin 018 :D

LMAO!!!

[pyro]

Show your husband this calculator:
http://www.rbbi.com/folders/prop/propcalc.htm
Very easy to use.

With 2:1 gears, he would be seeing a little over 60 mph. 2.0 liter 150 motors usually had 2:1 gears.
With 1.87:1 gears, he would be getting between 65 and 68 mph.

He should be turning more RPM than 5800 with that prop. It sounds like he needs to jack the motor up higher and let the prop breathe some more. A chopper will not spin full rpm's if it's buried too deep. A 150 should be able to net 80 mph with proper setup. It's handling poorly because the motor's too low. He should have solid motor mounts and zero-slack/play dual cable steering if he intends on running these speeds.

85 is NOT out of the question, but it will take the right setup, the right prop, and a very light load.

-Chad