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To Power Or Not To Power (21-3)
by Steve Horsfall
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I own a 1986 Baja Sunsport
200 powered by a 1993 Mercury 2.5 L outboard. I would
like to upgrade the boat with a 300 hp Yamaha V-Max
HPDI outboard. Do you think the boat can handle the
extra engine weight without adversely affecting handling
characteristics? The 2.5 L is 350 pounds (offering 245
hp) and the 300 hp Yamaha is 524 pounds. If I go with
the Yamaha outboard, would it be better to bolt the
engine directly to the transom or on a setback bracket?
B. Atamanik (By e-mail)
As far as the additional weight is concerned (174 pounds),
the Yamaha engine should be no worse than having an
extra adult male sitting on the very back of the boat,
so I don’t think the weight will be a factor.
However, the amount of power and torque is another matter.
If you’re exceeding the capacity plate recommendations
then there are liability concerns. There is also the
matter of very precise installation requirements, so
it won’t adversely affect handling. Personally,
I would probably go with a direct-to-transom mount to
provide maximum strength.
TOO MUCH WATER?
After such a long winter, we recently had a
70-degree day and I brought the boat out to get it ready
for the up coming season. I ran it with earmuffs and
the hose (flush test device). While I do this every
year, I never looked where the water comes out of the
engine. The water that came out of the telltale was
strong, but there were two other holes in the lower
unit where water was exiting. It was exiting around
the shift shaft as well. Is this normal? There is also
a small plastic tube not attached to anything at the
front of the lower unit. Is that normal as well?
S. Levandoski (By e-mail)
The water that comes out the telltale is a very small
portion of the cooling water that circulates throughout
the engine. The larger portion of the water is directed
through the exhaust to cool this area as it gets very
hot. There are also several other exhaust relief holes
to eliminate back pressure when the engine is idling.
I suspect this is why you see water coming out of other
areas of the lower unit.
The small plastic tube is a hook-up used to attach the
speedometer tube to a pick-up in the lower unit, instead
of using a transom mounted device. It’s generally
more accurate and less likely to be fouled by weeds
or other debris. If you decide to use this for your
speedometer, the fitting (connector) must be cut open
slightly for it to work, as it’s normally closed
on the end when it comes from the manufacturer. Additionally,
it should be left off (open) during the winter to ensure
water stays out of the lower unit speedometer cavity
to prevent freezing during the winter.
OFF BALANCE
I have a KMV Vitall 1700 Dromedille boat and
I am doing a lot of work to it. I am also powering the
model with a 60 hp Suzuki outboard. The problem is the
boat is tipsy and leans to one side. I am wondering
if you have a solution to my problem. I would really
like the boat to be more stable.
M. Danny (By e-mail)
If your boat is tipsy when it’s at rest in the
water, then I cannot offer any advice. If the boat leans
one way or the other while underway at speed, then I
think your problem would be solved by installing manual
or hydraulic trim tabs. You would have to check the
transom to see if there is a flat area where they could
be mounted. Sometimes a cavitation plate fin will help
if the transom will not accept trim tabs. These are
the triangular plastic fins that slide over the cavitation
plate to enlarge its surface area.
Got a question, a problem? Send inquiries to Steve
Horsfall at stephen.horsfall@sympatico.ca Fax: 905-624-6764.
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