underpowered and frustrated

Agreed! Yesterday I had the boat in the shop for 27X29 cupped variable pitch wheels, had the bow thruster from a lake freighter installed (the V-birth is now gone), had a pair of Cummings Diesels put in (actually left the gas ones in for some extra poop in case its really blowing), volvo IPS....and you'll never guess what happened during the water test last night.....I still ended sideways in the well! I'm also in the hole for $232450 for these adjustments. I think I'll just practise and get better. LOL

All jokes aside.....Gary's is the clearest and best advise in my mind and I'm taking it.

Cheers and thanks for your help everyone
Scott

PS. how do you turn this post off
 
Mutual,
If you take Gary's advice and contact Sea Ray Customer Service, ask them why the WOT spec dropped 200 rpm between between 2003 and 2004 for an identical prop spec for you engine boat combination.

In 2003, SR built 2 different 340 models. The older version, as I understand it, had less deadrise and was closer in size to the next generation 320. The newer one (2003 1/2 - 2008) was a deeper-V, heavier, less efficient, and probably slower, depending on the power plants, but rides better in heavier seas, as a Sea Ray should.

That may or may not be the rationale behind the change in specs. Any older guys (respectfully) care to chime in with the answers?

We still don't know what model the OP has.

OP - Does your boat have 3 Captain's chairs across the front (2 to starboard and 1 to port)?
 
Yup......2 340s were built in 2003. SR refers to mine as the 2003 340 SDA (a mold that was used until 2008......3 captains chairs.....arctic white)......built in platform, 37.5 x 12
 
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You CAN unsubscribe to it and eventually it will burn out or fade away. Administrators can LOCK it but that usually requires lots of bad blood, threats, foul language and name calling.
 
Just curious???Why is everyone always looking to go faster.isn't the boat trip usually better traveling a normal speed?At 20 knots I would say its a nice pace,not beating the crap out of you and how can anyone afford the fuel needed to run the boat so hard.Now I know why there are so many late model boats being repowered.everyone needs to beat the crap out of it.You bought a cruiser,now go cruise!!!As far as docking,with the prop pockets you will need a little throttle to turn the boat with the reverse engine.I notice if I put 1 forward and 1 reverse at idle,the boat wants to push forward instead of pivoting.
 
Just curious???Why is everyone always looking to go faster.isn't the boat trip usually better traveling a normal speed?At 20 knots I would say its a nice pace,not beating the crap out of you and how can anyone afford the fuel needed to run the boat so hard.Now I know why there are so many late model boats being repowered.everyone needs to beat the crap out of it.You bought a cruiser,now go cruise!!!As far as docking,with the prop pockets you will need a little throttle to turn the boat with the reverse engine.I notice if I put 1 forward and 1 reverse at idle,the boat wants to push forward instead of pivoting.

DITTO.....I AGREE WITH THIS WHOLE POST:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Couldn't agree more. The journey is the destination. The 'underpowered' thing is about moving my sorry a%$ around the marina at idle speed. (bad title on post)...SR has said there is no better prop application for this hull...the 17X19 is the correct application and the specs are dead on. So let's talk 'tunnels'! Last night I was on my buddies 36 Wellcraft and he seemed to walk it around the marina without power alot easier (he's also a better pilot). Similar engines and V-drives but no tunnels. So why the tunnels?
 
Two reasons. Tunnels reduce draft. Tunnels permit a shallower shaft angle which is more efficient. Some say that the tunnel itself promotes efficiency, but I think it's the other way since the slightly increased surface area is a little more drag. But it's a small difference and I think the shallower angle more than makes up for the drag.

Tunnels are a tiny bit harder to build, which is probably why Wellcraft doesn't have them. It's another one of those value brands, but not as cheesy as bayliner or maxum.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Thats some pretty good gas mileage.
 
Saint Max has 6.2's and Velvet V drives at a 1.5:1 ratio. I have a couple of observations I have garnered from my studies on propellers prior to having mine tuned, and some opinions based on this being my 1st full inboard boat. Take them for what they are worth.

Observation: The center of your propeller hub to the blade tip should be no more than 85% of the distance from the center of the propeller shaft to the bottom of the hull. Any closer and a lot of turbulence is created. Turbulence wastes energy and creates vibration.

Opinion: The 6.2 mated to a V drive is a double edge sword. My V drives are rated at a maximum of 5000 RPM's, yet the engine is rated at 5300 RPM's. You lose 300 at the top end; but how often do you run there?

HOWEVER, the 6.2 is roughly 200 pounds lighter per side. Basically that is a couple of folks you are not hauling around whether you like it or not.

Observation: 4 blades are better performing in the mid range and in close quarters than 3 blades.

Opinion: A well tuned 3 blade prop will be as good a performer in the mid range forward, but cannot compete with a 4 blade near the dock.

My observation / recommendation is (depending on your drives) you are underpropped and possibly over diameter. I know SR increased the tunnel size of that boat. I do not know when.

Look at your V drive specs. If they are rated at 5000 RPM's prop to 5000 RPM's paying attention to the blade tip clearance. If you give all this information to a reliable prop shop in your area, they should be able to dial you in very close. The shop needs to be capable of Propscan or Prop MRI. When provided with the correct information, a computer will do the rest.

My shop propped Saint Max 3 blades to a WOT of 4850 RPM's with full fuel, full water, empty holding tank, and a 3 day supply of provisions wet and dry. As the tanks empty and the provisions deplete, the RPM raises to about 4950 RPM's. I try never to go below 1/4 fuel. I had four blades, but they were too big for the tunnel based on calculations I stated above.

With 1/2 fuel and a day's provisions for an afternoon on the hook, I can easily reach 34 knots by GPS in slack conditions. I did increase my tab size to compensate for the aft weight and bow high condition I had with the original tabs.

HTH.
 
I was looking at the stripped down drug runner model. No cup holders or bling but lots of storage and go power. They have the same model only in USCG colors with a light bar. A bit flashy for me but then that's me. :smt043:smt043

Did you notice the writing in the side for our Arab friends.:grin:
I always thought a PT Boat would be cool.:thumbsup:
 
Love seeing stuff like that must of really broke their hearts when it started on fire and had to rebuild what they just got finished with. Hope fully some one will carry on when the old guys are gone boats and the history needs to be kept alive.
 

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