Hydrofoil ??
 

Finally got out to the lake today to try out my new toy. She runs great and everything is really solid but it is impossible to control. I was reading the post from Straad regarding "holeshot" and that info helps. My boat has the SE Sport Turbo 300 on it. It was there when I bought it. The boat always seems to be on plane which makes it hard to steer and rough on the water. It also is leaning a bit to the left while driving perfectly straight down the lake?

How does the 182 Barchetta handle in stock form with no Hydrofoil or tabs? What is the main advantage?

My speedo isn't working? Any help with where to start would be appreciated.

FYI - in regards to Straad's post, my boat has a 19 pitch prop and will easily go over 5000 RPM. I guess my tach could be out also. I will have to check. I also have the stock 21 pitch prop which I may put back on. What is the recommended redline RPM for the 4.3?

Thanks

There is a very small hole on the front of the lower unit that must be free of debris in order for the speedo to work. Mine just last month got a piece of wood pulp into the hole. I used a small metal pick to get as much of the debris out as I could, and then used a small but long allen wrench to push the rest of it towards the back until it fell into some sort of cavity in there. Speedo works fine now.

My 1994 4.3LX is rated at 4400-4800 at WOT.

Also, make sure the little tube is connected to the lower unit. Mine had come off when I first bought my boat. It comes out of the transom (through one of the bellows) and attaches just above the nose cone of the lower unit. I put a new zip tie on to hold it better and haven't had a problem.

If it's already attached, and there doesn't seem to be debris in the hole, disconnect the tube from behind the speedo and blow as hard as you can through it. There could be something blocking the tube somewhere.

i dont have the hydrofoil and i sometimes get the lean when on plane and going straight
did you just buy the boat?
because mine seemed to do it alot more when i was new to the boat,
now i seem to have worked out some tricks with the steering to get it right that you kind of figure out

did you freak out the people in the bow yet making a slow turn when the whole boat rocks up on about a 70degree angle
man they grab some rail fast, dont they?

Re: Hydrofoil
 

Thanks for all the replies. Does anyone have any suggestions regarding the SE Turbo 300 that is on my boat? Should I just take it off?

I have a 1994 Barchetta without a hydrofoil or tabs. It performs very well. I have a 21P prop that is 13.24" in diameter. I easily hit 4900 rpms. I think, I will go to a four blade or a 14.25" prop. I have a 4.3L that is states 4400 to 4800 WOT. I don't push my boat that hard much but would like to see it around 4600 max.

My speedo is off about 3-4 mph. I have a GPS on the boat and it is well worth the money. A quick touch of the trim can raise or lower the MPH to the sweet spot, which is great for long hauls. I have not pushed my boat to the limit because 4900+ RPMS scared me. It was at 47MPH GPS when I pulled it back. I did not have time to set the trim or play with it. Like I said, I don't push my boat hard. I usually run 3000 to 3500 RPMs.

I think I will take it off, switch to the 21 pitch prop and check the accuracy of the tach. Then if I can get the speedo working, tower installed and find some time to get back out, all should be well!

Does anyone have some pics of the small hole to check for the speedo problem so that I know where I am looking? Or is it obvious?

It's pretty obvious, you can't miss it. It looks like a divot in the back of your drive, just above the skeg (bottom fin).

Here's a pic from the Merc Manuals, which you should check out!

I have had seaweed wrapped around the speedo hole before. Freaked me out when the speedo wasnt doing anything. So once I got back to the dock my uncle noticed that I was simply dragging seaweed and everything was ok after that. He mentioned if it happens again to just put it into reverse and then see what happens.

Run your hand up the backside of the sterndrive and you will find it.

If you don't see anything, a quick blast with an air hose has worked for me. Be sure not to jam the nozzle in the end as it may blow your speedo up!