Richard Chappel wrote:
Tech,
Your right about the gel coat. I think I read that they were using extra or better gel coat. It polishes up pretty easily but I would probably have picked another color if I had my choice. I was shopping for the model not the color. I've tried a couple different polishes but haven't found the magic 'once a season'. I've heard of having the gel coat clear coated to eliminate waxing but haven't looked into that. Bought her a few years ago at Bay City. All the canvas is original as far as I can tell. The camper top is near new condition except for staining on the window panels.
As far as the WOT problem goes I'm stymied. As I said she runs smooth and strong. Doesn't burn oil. Comfortably on plane at 2900 RPM. Needs very little tab. I'll have to see if I can borrow a tach from the marina or have them check it. When you go for WOT how much gas are you carrying ? Convertable top up or down ?
Rich
I have it rubbed & waxed once a season and Lucky Fox shines so nice, my neighbor across the canal thought it to be at least a 1998 model year!! I really enjoy the quality of the boat, built much more solid than my previous 99 FW Vista 258...believe it or not!
Ok, so back to the issue at hand. With my convertible top up or down, doesnt make any bearing on my WOT RPM at all and only knocks off about 1-2 mph of my cruise speed, when its up.
To put it into perspective - I have a 11' inflatable and 15 HP Nissan outboard that I tote out with me every weekend. This past weekend, I also brought out 2 friends, one is "michigan sized" if you get what Im saying...lol.. Anyways, with 4 people on board (easily 1000lbs of people alone), 3/4 tank of gas (75 gallons), the freshwater tank full to the brim, 3 FULL big coolers, the 103lb black lab, the 90lb outboard motor, AND towing behind our 11' inflatable - I planed out pretty quickly and hit WOT RPMs within probably a minute and half of hammering the throttle. I then scaled back to about 2/3 throttle and cruised at 3200 RPMs at 27mph.
With me, the first mate, and the black lab on board with 1/2 tank of gas and full freshwater tank, I get 4500RPMS and 38.5MPH (gps verified).
I use 87 octane with the appropriate dosage of Sea Foam gas treatment. I also have a 15 x 16 OMC SST propeller (factory prop for our boats is 15.25" x 15 aluminum).
If you are truly not hitting your RPMs, although Im positively certain your dash tachometer is reading incorrectly (you need to get a multi-meter to verify the RPM's), then you need to really check and recheck your ignition timing.
That 5.7 LE engine and that big butt 4 bbl carb will get you moving and should have zero problems hitting WOT RPM's and getting you fairly close to 40mph.