So, I have this in a post marked 280 DA props, I started a new thread, as Id like to get more info, and maybe it is not the props. I am the new owner of a 280 DA, we downsized from a 300. My new 280 is a 2005, has twin 4.3l engines with Alpha 1 gen 2 counter rotating drives. The previous owner had for a year, and had a survey done. On that survey, it was noted that the rev limiter was reached at 5000 RPMs when fully throttle. My mechanic noted it during my sea trial, and of course, I am experiencing it now using the boat. All have said I need to change the props, perhaps to a 19P. I currently have the Vengeance 17P props that are original to the boat. I also verified that these are the original props see ray put on via the part number. So my question is does nthis make sense to any other owners? Why would the original props hit the rev limiter? The enginmes run grate otherwise. 240 hours on each. I am used to BIII drives so this is all new to me. Also, I have noticed once I am up on plane, and try to trim out the motors, if I go more than 1 or 2 trims up, the RPMs start to rev high. Again, just looking for some insight before I invest in new props for the boat. I obviously want to get this right. I also notice that when I cruise at apporox 27 MPH, and I hovering around 4100 RPMs. I have been burning a lot of fuel, and that RPM seems high to me for that cruising speed. Again, p[lease forgive my ignorance, i am used to 350 MAGS with BIII motors. thanks again
280 Dancer hitting REV Limiter
- Thread starter kozzy
- Start date
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
280's don't like trim, maybe a touch when running WOT.
Yeah, I have been told that, even trimmed all the way down the RPMS seem off with this ...and I shouldn't be hitting the limiter. The previous owner had the same issue, but never resolved. Just trying to get it cleared up
Espos4
Well-Known Member
How fast are you going when you hit 5,000 rpm?
how does that compare to other 280’s with twin 4.3’s?
Maybe a spun prop hub?
Cavitation?
Is there anything protruding through the hull forward of the drives that could cause cavitation?
What if you fully load it up, full fuel, full water, 6people or more, does it still hit 5,000rpm?
What is your top speed when fully loaded?
Do you have a generator? If not, Maybe the 17p original props are for generator equipped boats and too “small” for a non generator equipped boat?
Just some ideas for you.
how does that compare to other 280’s with twin 4.3’s?
Maybe a spun prop hub?
Cavitation?
Is there anything protruding through the hull forward of the drives that could cause cavitation?
What if you fully load it up, full fuel, full water, 6people or more, does it still hit 5,000rpm?
What is your top speed when fully loaded?
Do you have a generator? If not, Maybe the 17p original props are for generator equipped boats and too “small” for a non generator equipped boat?
Just some ideas for you.
OK, here is the info I have...
Some one responded to me that owns a similar 2004 280, same engines, etc, and his numbers are different and he is not hitting the rev limiter. he cruises around 25 at 3500 RPMs.
I have not checked to see if the props are slipping, I dont believe it is a spun hub, as the engines dont rev higher and lower asd I am going along, they are holding constant RPM, that is not to say that maybe the hubs are slipping and starting to go, not sure. I need to look into that. I dont have any signs of cavitation. I get the same results if the boat is loaded with 8 people or 2 people, I still hit the rev limiter at 5000 RPMS. im not sure what the speed is at that RPM, as I throttle back as soon as the alarm goes off, I need to check that. Im guessing around 35-38 MPH. I do have a generator on this boat as well..
Some one responded to me that owns a similar 2004 280, same engines, etc, and his numbers are different and he is not hitting the rev limiter. he cruises around 25 at 3500 RPMs.
I have not checked to see if the props are slipping, I dont believe it is a spun hub, as the engines dont rev higher and lower asd I am going along, they are holding constant RPM, that is not to say that maybe the hubs are slipping and starting to go, not sure. I need to look into that. I dont have any signs of cavitation. I get the same results if the boat is loaded with 8 people or 2 people, I still hit the rev limiter at 5000 RPMS. im not sure what the speed is at that RPM, as I throttle back as soon as the alarm goes off, I need to check that. Im guessing around 35-38 MPH. I do have a generator on this boat as well..
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
Your about 10mph slow for that boat
Just another nod to the trim - as mentioned, the hull design doesn't like (need) much trim. The hull pretty much takes care of everything. Also, just so you're aware, this isn't really a Bravo vs Alpha thing - that's not the variable here that is causing you to over rev.
Someone help me out here as I don't know this answer for sure... but...
Kozzy, does it SOUND like it's turning 5,000RPM? The second part to this is where I'm not totally sure. Does a Smartcraft RPM gauge still have the little switch on the back to select 4cyl, 6cyl, 8cyl? Often times, when a gauge isn't reading correctly, the switch needs to be "cleaned" by moving it back and forth a bunch of times. With Smartcraft, I'm wondering if the relationship between the computer and the SC gauge is such that the computer "thinks" the RPM's are higher than they really are. Again, take this all with a grain of salt as I'm just kinda wondering outloud here.
Someone help me out here as I don't know this answer for sure... but...
Kozzy, does it SOUND like it's turning 5,000RPM? The second part to this is where I'm not totally sure. Does a Smartcraft RPM gauge still have the little switch on the back to select 4cyl, 6cyl, 8cyl? Often times, when a gauge isn't reading correctly, the switch needs to be "cleaned" by moving it back and forth a bunch of times. With Smartcraft, I'm wondering if the relationship between the computer and the SC gauge is such that the computer "thinks" the RPM's are higher than they really are. Again, take this all with a grain of salt as I'm just kinda wondering outloud here.
thanks all for the tips...much appreciated as I try to get this resolved.
Lazy, I figured it was not a Bravo/Alpha thing, just passing along what I am used too. As far as the sound, I really can't tell. My 350 MAGS were V8's. This boat has V6's. They seem to be louder as the RPM's increase. The engines do sound like they are higher I guess. I am comparing them to my buddies Chapp 270 , which had the same motors. They seemed "whinny" as well, but I really dont have something to gauge it with. I will be looking at these gauges to see if they have the switch. I was just made aware of that feature today. Ill be back at the boat tomorrow to try that and look some more. I dont think the hubs are spun, since when I throttle up, the RPMs stay consistent, and do not fluctuate.
I also have this response from someone with a 2004 model, same engines, drives, setup, etc:
Something seems off to me here, you shouldn't be hitting the limiter when you're getting up on top of the water like that. Are you sure that the drives are able to be trimmed down fully, and that they are "tucked in" when you're getting up? The 280 doesn't like any trim until you're north of 3300 rpm. Also, 4000 rpm and 28 mph seems considerably off. At that rpm I'm doing closer to 35 mph measured by GPS. I have the same power package and drives, generator, and this was last weekend with 3/4 fuel and full water, empty holding tank and 2 people on board.
When I run mine to WOT I have to trim the drives up to get to stated max and even then I can get them to about 4700, I've never hit the limiter
Lazy, I figured it was not a Bravo/Alpha thing, just passing along what I am used too. As far as the sound, I really can't tell. My 350 MAGS were V8's. This boat has V6's. They seem to be louder as the RPM's increase. The engines do sound like they are higher I guess. I am comparing them to my buddies Chapp 270 , which had the same motors. They seemed "whinny" as well, but I really dont have something to gauge it with. I will be looking at these gauges to see if they have the switch. I was just made aware of that feature today. Ill be back at the boat tomorrow to try that and look some more. I dont think the hubs are spun, since when I throttle up, the RPMs stay consistent, and do not fluctuate.
I also have this response from someone with a 2004 model, same engines, drives, setup, etc:
Something seems off to me here, you shouldn't be hitting the limiter when you're getting up on top of the water like that. Are you sure that the drives are able to be trimmed down fully, and that they are "tucked in" when you're getting up? The 280 doesn't like any trim until you're north of 3300 rpm. Also, 4000 rpm and 28 mph seems considerably off. At that rpm I'm doing closer to 35 mph measured by GPS. I have the same power package and drives, generator, and this was last weekend with 3/4 fuel and full water, empty holding tank and 2 people on board.
When I run mine to WOT I have to trim the drives up to get to stated max and even then I can get them to about 4700, I've never hit the limiter
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
Your props have probably been worked on and are no longer stock, maybe material has been taken off them.
Your overreving and your speed is low like their acting like 15's
Your overreving and your speed is low like their acting like 15's
techmitch
Well-Known Member
- May 1, 2008
- 8,384
- Boat Info
- 1999 270 DA
- Engines
- Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
Yep, I agree. 1 other thought is that maybe drives or ratio have been changed as you said the previous owner had the same problem.
Just got off the phone with the prop shop up here. Going to pull the boat and take the props in and start there and see what happens. Baby steps I guess. The previous owner just didn't want to deal, or buck up for new props I guess. Not me, I want this to run right. Not to mention I am burning through fuel it seems like and an excessive rate.
