13' Bullet 130 Rebuild & Repower

**Nice Dreams** · 08-23-2018, 04:06 PM

It handles it ok, not great. I would not skip the foam in your build if you are planning on going in the ocean, and especially if you are taking it to Bimini. If the water is calm and you break down you will be fine. If you get stuck and are drifting, boat wakes will come over the transom, so make sure your bilge pump works and have a back up bailer.
Mine is a 2 stroke and is listed at 217lbs. I have my battery mounted up as far as it can go in the “tub” and the hotfoot right next to it. Bench seat with a 12 gallon fuel cell pretty much in the center of the boat.

**TwzteD** · 08-23-2018, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Nice Dreams

It handles it ok, not great. I would not skip the foam in your build if you are planning on going in the ocean, and especially if you are taking it to Bimini. If the water is calm and you break down you will be fine. If you get stuck and are drifting, boat wakes will come over the transom, so make sure your bilge pump works and have a back up bailer.
Mine is a 2 stroke and is listed at 217lbs. I have my battery mounted up as far as it can go in the “tub” and the hotfoot right next to it. Bench seat with a 12 gallon fuel cell pretty much in the center of the boat.

Awesome, you running a cleaver or anything? you still getting in the 50's or have you dialed it in better? i see you have a jack plate so my engine without a jackplate will weigh right around what your setup is. I plan to run a 12x22 cleaver that's made for this engine.

**Nice Dreams** · 08-23-2018, 06:05 PM

Yeah, I had it right at 50 on a handheld gps, running an 18* chopper. I couldn’t go any higher with the motor or I’d start losing water pressure. Have the top 3 holes plugged on the lower unit. I’m now running a Mercury 19* aluminum with the thru hub exhaust. The boat is way more driveable now. Nicer when I have a passenger aboard and much better on fuel.

**TwzteD** · 08-24-2018, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Nice Dreams

Yeah, I had it right at 50 on a handheld gps, running an 18* chopper. I couldn’t go any higher with the motor or I’d start losing water pressure. Have the top 3 holes plugged on the lower unit. I’m now running a Mercury 19* aluminum with the thru hub exhaust. The boat is way more driveable now. Nicer when I have a passenger aboard and much better on fuel.

Awesome, I know they start chine walking around 50.

**TwzteD** · 08-25-2018, 08:41 AM

Yeah I'm really leanin toward selling the baystar and going seastar pro dual cable rack and pinion.

**TwzteD** · 08-28-2018, 06:06 AM

Well I got all but the front bulkhead sanded down to meet the main stringer in the middle.

**home made tunnel** · 09-06-2018, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by TwzteD

Yeah it shows everything including keeps track of the hours for maintenance reminders and whatnot. Fault codes alarms overheating Etc

the only thing it does not show is water pressure so I need to buy an analog water pressure gauge and I'm having a hard time finding out what kind of PSI these engines require do you happen to know?

Vesselview will show waterpressure, you just have to get the water pressure sensor and put it on the motor. I had to do this on my 115 Pro xs also

**home made tunnel** · 09-06-2018, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by TwzteD

My next question is... I ordered the seastar baystar hydro steering system, have it sitting waiting, will I have a bad experience with that system in this boat? I have been doing some reading that these systems don't react that quick to adjustmens like that would be needed to Ballance the boat on the pad. I really don't want to spend 2k on the seastar, I'd rather almost go to cable and pulley if that's the case cause I have wingplates for the boat. Or a dula rack and pinion or something.

I have the baystar hooked up on my redboat and love it. It’s hooked up to a 120hp right now. You’ll be fine.

**TwzteD** · 09-08-2018, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by home made tunnel

I have the baystar hooked up on my redboat and love it. It’s hooked up to a 120hp right now. You’ll be fine.

Is you engine jacked all the way up though? and does your boat chine walk? my concern is the play that they have and my boat should do around 65, chine walking starts around 50 and with a lot of play in the steering would not be able to correct the chine walk.

**home made tunnel** · 09-08-2018, 12:48 PM

Only a small amount of chain walk with mine. It is set up pretty well. I’ve had it to 55. Never had an opportunity to go out light load and solo. I’m always with the wife cooler dogs and baby. Lol. Lemme go take a pic. I have a solid aluminum upper mount too.

**home made tunnel** · 09-08-2018, 12:55 PM

No problems. Little 14’ Boat. You’ll be fine with the 60hp. And I take mine on very choppy bay water.

**Nice Dreams** · 09-08-2018, 08:09 PM

Any progress pics. Looks like it’ll be solid as a rock when finished.
All you really need is the NFB(no feed back) steering from teleflex. That’s what I’m running and there is absolutely zero play in mine. I know what opinions are like, but I have to say anything more is overkill and a waste of money. It’s only a 60hp, so you’re way in the limitations of a single cable system.
How much do you estimate the hull will weigh when complete? What gear ratio does the formula 60 have?
Please don’t hate me for saying but I think 65 is a bit optimistic. I wish you all the luck with the boat, it looks great. Did you settle on a paint scheme yet?

**TwzteD** · 09-08-2018, 08:24 PM

Have not gotten much more done, I got the bunkheads sanded down, and a few other small things but nothing major just yet, have a new born and not a whole lot of free time ATM. I know 65 sounds high,I'm hoping for over 60 at least, I think it's definitely dooable. Setup makes all the difference, there is a guy that's running a 14ft critchfield with this engine and is seeing 65+ about the same weight. Another guy had a similar boat that was running 65+ and it was heavy at 790lbs no driver. The tuff 16' boats run these engines and are seeing 60 also. Dallas petia 16' boats are running right at 6o also most around 58. I estimate the boat will be around 300# bare hull maybe little more, not sure what they originally weight but I know people would rebuilding use plywood and it's heavy, I used all composite and it's super light so I'd imagine it's no heavier than anyone else's rebuild. Haven't settled on paint yet, leaning toward a light and dark gray keep it simple but I love the reddish orange colors too I don't know lol.

**home made tunnel** · 09-10-2018, 03:55 PM

Baystar = overkill for your application, but very doable. BUT it's nice steering with a pinky finger @ the dock... and being able to let go of the wheel, cruising at 40mph and drink your beer at the same time.

but... NFB single cable = perfect, and cheaper. You'll have no issues. Heck, my dad's whaler with a 50hp has a regular single cable, with a suicide knob on it and it's fine bounching all around the bay.

**W2F a V-King** · 09-11-2018, 11:20 AM

Keep in mind steering torque gets worse with raising the motor and airing the prop more. Not sure how much height your going for. Just a thought while considering steering. Hydraulic = no torque steer.