Went out and did some skeet shooting off Old Sport.
Engines are running smoothly but still not sure about rpm issues, even after the stb engine was fully rebuilt I am only getting 3800 rpms. This must be max rpm for these 440s, really thought I could get more out of them, currently 3800rpm with my 3 blade bronze 16x13 is getting me 27knts. Would like to see 30knts. Could also be a stuffing box issue, or cutlass bearings, maybe engines not getting enough fuel or air who knows.
Still has really come a far way since when I bought her from Ed.
Sweet looking 31, nice job...you'd never know she was dark green with a keel n tower..BH
1966 31 Bahia Mar #316-512....8 years later..Resolute is now a reality..Builder to Boater..285 hours on the clocks..enjoying every minute..how many days till spring?
Dan,
If you can get a hold of a set of 17x18 3 blades that is what I had on my 31 Express with 454Throttle Body Fuel Injected engines and 1:5:1 trannies. Got 4350 wot at 41.8 mph on the NorthStar GPS back when the engines and trannies were new in 1997. The best I ever was able to get with the carbed 440's with direct drive trannies and 16x11 - 3 blade props was 4400rpms wot was 30MPH back in the late 70's when those engines were new, that was down sea with very light fuel and 6 people on board coming back from Stellwagon Bank.
Happy Turkey Day to all.
Pete Fallon
The 440's have a factory rpm WOT rpm of 4000 according to their manual. So 200 off the top is not that all bad. Might be able to prop that if you all know engine functions are working correctly. One major issue I found with older gas was timing issues.
On rebuilds many times the distributor is over looked. It has bushings and advance springs that wear but mostly are never replaced.
A good way to find out is attach a timing lite and take the boat out and run it. Timing strobe on the timing marks should be steady and even. No skipping on either light flash or around the marks. If they are skipping, dist should be checked along with sp wires.
This is also a good way to check sp wires. Put a clamp on lite down by the plug and see if the lite remains steady at all rpms.
Boats and guns have been going together since the days of Buccaneering. Throw in a wench, some rum and a spot in the Tortugas and I was born 400 years too late.
Brings back memories. I used to shoot back in the 70's off a house boat. Used to set the trap up on the roof. Drift across Barnegat Bay in late Ocotber. No one ever on the wate back then. Now it is too crowded even in October.
