215 Express Cruiser Top Speed Question?

M

MSGT CRUNCH

New Member
Jun 27, 2010
7
Lake St. Clair Michigan
Boat Info
21 Foot 1998 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser.
Engines
5.0 Liter (W/Carb) Alpha I outdrive.
Hello, I just got this 215 and Im wondering how fast this is. Ive don't know if I have trim issues or just haven't gotten used to trimming it out. I can only get this thing to about 37 on calm water. It has the 5 liter and the Alpha I. Not sure if I'm expecting too much, it just seems like it should be faster. Had the engine tested and out drive as well before i bought it. The engine is solid compression wise and out drive slips into gear and out nicely. Only 260hrs on boat and all systems run great otherwise.
 
Ok, well im feeling better now. Thank you....ill get a super charger or something that should help lol. its a great boat, diffently does not like to run cold though. oh well, i do appreciate the reply.
 
Mine did low 40's with a 5.7liter - I had to switch props to get the boat right.
 
bout 4200 RPM if memory serves me right. Just wife and me no gear. I'm new to trim tabs and i think the trim motor is messed up a bit the left tab i replaced and it still doesn't work right. so they are in the neutral position. Also as we go along i keep trying to trim out the motor and it seems that this may have a cavitation alarm that will go nuts for a while so Ive kinda of backed off from messing with that. No changes really in speed just the pitch of the bow. I'm thinking of taking spare prop in and balancing and having it powder coated, or maybe getting a stainless for her. I'm not looking for a race boat and i am well content with close to 40 mph i just wanted to be informed and i think it will turn out to be a great boat. its very Deep V makes for a good rider on the big lake so im happy and cant wait to finish out the summer with this thing.
 
That might be just a little slower than expected but it's in the ballpark. You'll probably find a bit more speed with some prop experimentation...
 
I would think you should get a bit over 40 with it - especially as you're only turning 4200RPM. Once you figure out your trim a little better you should be able to get that RPM into the mid to upper 4's. I don't recall exactly, but I think my '00 215 (same boat as yours) did somewhere around 45 with a 5.0EFI (extra 20 ponies).

When you say "tabs are in the neutral position", do you mean fully retracted/out of the way?
 
I don't have trim tabs 5.0 EFI 47mph on the speedometer If thats correct?
Light chop 2 adults 1/2 tank of gas. 4600rpm ?
 
Speedometer on my 215 is trim-sensitive and optimistic. Is your speed GPS, or what the speedometer is reading? I recall seeing over 40 on the speedo, just me and one passenger and not much other load. The GPS seemed to think I was running 36 MPH. Mine has the 4-barrel, and a 19P stainless prop. With the 4-barrel open, it will wind way past the recommended maximum RPM.

My last boat was a 3.0 4-cylinder fitted with a ski prop. Speed on the 215 seems great. It is all what you are used to!
 
springer3 said:
Is your speed GPS, or what the speedometer is reading?
Click to expand...

My speed was GPS. I wish I could remember exactly what it was - but it was definitely mid-40's. I want to say 46, maybe 47, but I just can't remember exactly.
 
I just bought a stiletto 14.25 x 19 stainless for my 215 EC. I was running 42mph at 4200 rpm. My aluminum would have me at 42 mph at 4600 rpm. The stiletto runs identical with my rpm as of yesterdays 3 hour run.Just me and a full tank of fuel. Well 1/2 tank after the trip. My 215 likes 32mph. Gps and speedo read the same. 32 mph is where I seem to get the best fuel efficiency. Ohh, Carburated 2 barrel.
 
I have a 1998 215 Express Cruiser with a 5.0 Liter 2Bbl carb rated at 220 HP. With 3 regular sized men and the top down I can get to 43 mph @ 4600 rpm with trim maxed out. My stern drive is a 1.47:1 and my prop is a 17 pitch 4 blade. With a 19 pitch 3 blade I could only get up to 4100 rpm and just over 40 mph with same same 3 men in boat.
 
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