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Finding
The Right Power (19-3)
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 I
am restoring a 1974 26-foot Penn Yan Vindicator Sportsman
powered by Ford 302 engines with Edelbrock 4 bbl carbs
and a 1:1 transmission drive. Both engines are recently
rebuilt with new or rebuilt accessories. They run beautifully
and easily achieve 4,400 rpm in neutral.
Up until recently, I am only achieving 3,200 rpm (WOT)
at 21 mph and 14-15 mph (barely on plane) at 2,500 rpm.
During any turns at 2,500 rpm, the vessel falls off
plane and there's some cavitation. 2,800 rpm (at 17
mph) is really needed to get her on plane with four
people and a full tank of fuel. I think the boat is
over-propped.
I have heard these engines can reach speeds of 34.5
mph at 4,000 rpm with a 13x11-pitch prop and 38.5 mph
at 4,000 rpm with a 13x12-pitch prop. According to the
company, which put 13-inch props on this model, a 12-inch
prop would have better efficiency.
The previous owner of my boat told me he used an 12x13-pitch
Ellis prop, but the numbers, rpm and speed just don't
add up. I am going to have the props replaced or pulled
for repitching/recupping, if possible. Do you have any
information or suggestions as to what prop diameter
and pitch I should try? Pen Yan also said WOT for the
Ford 302's should be 4,000 rpm. This has not been validated
by the manufacturer, but sounds about right. Would you
agree?
The boat weighs 8,000 pounds, has a beam of ten feet,
six inches, and the previous props were 13x13-pitch
three-bladed bronze. These were removed/replaced with
a so-called "cruise prop" to save gas, but I think he
may have compensated for power, speed and fuel consumption.
T. Brant (e-mail)
(Answer) ...
CELEBRITY SEARCH
I am having a hard time tracking down the gel coat vendor
for the now-defunct Celebrity Boats. Do you know who
provided the dark green gel coat for the 1996 model
year?
C. Tenold (e-mail)
(Answer) ...
THE RIGHT CHOICE
A friend of mine is looking at a 1996 Celebrity Firestar
powered with a 220 hp Volvo Penta. I explained the manufacturer
is out of business and Celebrity models are known to
have poor construction in the floor and stringers, due
to lack of lamination. I have also heard floors were
only laminated around the perimeter and the stringers
were only partially laminated. If this is true, and
you don't know how dry the boat was kept, I told my
friend to stay away. Was I right in giving my friend
this advice?
J. Roti (e-mail)
(Answer) ...
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