Lack of speed!

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 08:58 AM

Ive been turning wrenches for a long time but Im truly stumped. I bought a old boat from behind a guys house
hadn't run in 6 years.1994 18' stratos fish/ski with a 1994 evinrude 150 looper optic. ive rebuilt carbs replaced recirc lines set timing resealed lower put wedges to get more trim compression is perfect decarbed the heck out of it also sync linked it.
and runs perfect!! cant get off key before its running. i put a 22 raker on it and turning 5400 rpm wot.
put a old 5'jack on it i had laying around and raised her up. This boat should run 52-55 in my mind. for the life of me i cant get more than 42 out of it. I did notice it has a little hook in back of hull I can lay a level port to aft and some places slide a nickel through the gap! Could this be my issue? I so bad want to grind it out with a file and glass resin it over but a little scared! any suggestions? I raised the motor in 1/2'' increments until it was unusable in rough water then dropped it down 1'' never lost water pressure. I am stumped The reason Im thinking hook now is this boat wont hardley ever porpoise no matter how high trimmed.

**Jimboat** · 06-19-2017, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Don Dieago

This boat should run 52-55 in my mind. for the life of me i cant get more than 42 out of it. I did notice it has a little hook in back of hull I can lay a level port to aft and some places slide a nickel through the gap! Could this be my issue?

Don - sounds like you've done a lot of work to get your new project going! Any pictures of the hull (especially the aft end with motor setup and pic of running surfaces underneath)? What does the boat weigh? Lot's of help on here for Stratos hull setups. If you really do have a hook in the running surfaces, this can have a significant impact on top end speed and handling.

**bullet123** · 06-19-2017, 09:17 AM

Is the boat foam waterlogged? I've never used a raker, Maybe try another prop that has more lift.

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 09:20 AM

Thank You

I havent weighed it but title states 1400 without motor or the 3 batterys in back or 30 gallon tank im guessing 2200 total. doesnt seem to be much different
full tank or 1/4 tank. I do know Evinrude carbed motors drink fuel but im guessing with 30 gallons at wot I can only run 40 miles.
I will get pictures up here in just a little bit. The boat is used to run service call around my lake and gets job done but I just like my stuff perfect you know. I checked the foam and it all seems to be incapsulated in glass

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 09:22 AM

OH also the water coming of back and back side seems dirty to me. as in plowing
ive had 3 props on it. the kid I got it from was trying to run a 4 blade 24 shooter and turning 4400rpm I also have and tried a cheep
19 balistic i had

**bullet123** · 06-19-2017, 09:29 AM

With that 22 raker at 5400 rpms 42mph is 30% slip.

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by bullet123

With that 22 raker at 5400 rpms 42mph is 30% slip.

I understand what your saying. im guessing that means same as 30% power to water loss so to speak?
kind of like tires spinning in a drag race But above my pay grade an if this is normal or what to do about it.

**JPEROG** · 06-19-2017, 10:21 AM

If you know that there is hook in the running surface then start there. One thing that all fast boats have in common is that have very little wetted surface when running at speed. Hook will never allow you to trim the boat properly or achieve any decent prop efficiency without it being way over powered and even then it won't have good stability. Block it out until you start to see glass then see whats left for a low area. If its still significant then get some awlfair made by awlgrip and drag the low spot to bring it up. Block it out again until its straight, give it some primer and paint then hit the water again.

Joe

**bullet123** · 06-19-2017, 10:21 AM

30% is very high. I would say you should be closer to 10%. Either your stratos is heavier than most or maybe the hub in the prop is spinning? What kind of numbers did you get with the 19 pitch? Something don't add up

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 11:26 AM

I just now go back from local rock yard 2 miles away. put boat and trailer on scales both weighed little under 2800lbs I'm guessing the channel iron trailer with spare on it is around 400 I'm guessing! so that makes boat with me in it 2500 26ish?
to tell you truth I haven't had the 19 prop back on it sense jack plate and raising motor but it was 38-40 if i remember right

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 11:30 AM

I'm just waiting on camera battery to charge so I can post pictures of hook and water in back while on plane as im only 1/4 mile from ramp

**bullet123** · 06-19-2017, 11:37 AM

If yours is a 270 FS model, NADA Guide says dry weight of hull with no motor is 1390. I don't know if I believe that though. I would think a stratos would be heavier.

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 12:49 PM

Click image for larger version.

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This is center pad

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 12:51 PM

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This is far outside starbord port about the same

**Don Dieago** · 06-19-2017, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by bullet123

If yours is a 270 FS model, NADA Guide says dry weight of hull with no motor is 1390. I don't know if I believe that though. I would think a stratos would be heavier.

284fs nada says 1400 I just went and weighed it and it was 2800 trailer and all 1/2 tank gas 15 gallons 3 battery's im guessing trailer is 4-500lbs