'87 250 Sundancer new to the site

[Alleygator]

Hello and thank you to all who took the time to view my thread. Have been around boats my whole life but never owned one. I finally got my hands on a 87 250 Sundancer with only 375 hours. The engine sounds strong when reved in nuetrel. Once in drive I cant even get the boat up on plane. Barley does 8mph. Prop? Trim tabs? Something slipping in the outdrive? Its powered by a 5.7 merc with alpha one drive. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[CoralReefer]

Welcome. Sorry about your issues. Even with a load you should be able to plane up. Spun hub? By the way, just purchased my '87 250 and love it. Best wishes on resolving your issue.

 

[rusobr2]

welcome to the site ! take a little time , and look around --:thumbsup:you'll find some answers--i'm sure !

steven

 

[Alleygator]

Thanks for the welcome guys! Coral, I love the name...hilarious! I know its not a spun hub because we switched the prop out over the weekend to see if that made a difference and the hub was ok. I am beginning to think that something is slipping in the outdrive. Is this even possible?

 

[CoralReefer]

I'm afraid I'm no help on outdrives. I would think you'd hear grinding if it where there. I think it be closer to the engine...coupler maybe?

 

[Alleygator]

Forgive my ignorance but a coupler to what? Also I have a 15X17 Michigan Wheel prop on it. People are telling me it should be a 15.25X15 or 15.5X15 What are the numbers on your prop?

 

[gdmark]

I have the same boat - same year. Does yours have trim tabs? If yes, make sure they are fully down (bow down position) before you take off. Also, make sure your out drive is fully down. Other then that, it would be propeller related - wrong prop.

 

[gdmark]

Forgive my ignorance but a coupler to what? Also I have a 15X17 Michigan Wheel prop on it. People are telling me it should be a 15.25X15 or 15.5X15 What are the numbers on your prop?

Your prop should be 15.25 x 15 and that will rev the engine to max. 4600 - 4700 rpm when running wide open. That's what mine does and I have no problem coming "out of the hole" even with 4 - 5 people on board. Excellent "hole shot"!

 

[Alleygator]

I do have trim tabs but they seem not really to effect anything. Same problem with the tabs up or down. I think the next thing is switching out the prop to the correct one. I love the boat just hate that it doesnt go over 8mph. Thanks for all the help guys. Never thought i would get this many replies in an intro thread. Thanks again!!!

 

[P3ngnr]

Just got the same boat (first boat for me).
Mine is a "fixer upper".
I will be mooching of any answers you get.:smt024
Good luck.

 

[Sorrento Dude]

I can telll you that it is not the 15 x 17 prop. I run one on my 87' 250 Sundancer and it does 42 mph at 4800 rpm. 36 mph with 9 people on board fully loaded. Are you sure that the drive is all the way down? What is the max rpm that you are getting?

 

[gdmark]

I can telll you that it is not the 15 x 17 prop. I run one on my 87' 250 Sundancer and it does 42 mph at 4800 rpm. 36 mph with 9 people on board fully loaded. Are you sure that the drive is all the way down? What is the max rpm that you are getting?

You say it's NOT the 15x17 - that is correct. What prop are you running?