Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

I am looking at purchasing a 180 shabah 4.3 and want to know how fast I can expect it to go? We want a boat that goes at least 43+ mph. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Welcome to the board!

According to the brochures, a 180 Shabah with the 4.3 should be running in the range of 46-51mph.

(Assuming you meant MPH instead of MPG) Not sure what your Gallons Per Hour fuel consumption rate is, but with it being a fast hull, low weight, and adequately powered engine, I'd assume it gets pretty good mileage too. :)

But there's a lot of 180 Shabah owners on here, I'm sure you'll get a lot of great testimonials.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

I can top out at 50 mph. As far as mpg not so good. When I run the 4.3 at a good clip it hurts the good old pocket book. But its just money. Time on the mariah priceless.:yes_grin:

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Depends on what prop is on the boat but if it has a standard 21" pitch 3 blade aluminum it should hit 50-51mph. With a 19" pitch prop (gives better low/mid range grunt) it should top out around 46-47mph.

They're a good solid well built boat and if well maintained will last a long time.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

I just bought a 1998 180 4.3 with 50 hours on it. I'm in the middle of trying different props now. Monday was a 14.5 x 18 pitch 4 blade. topped out at 41mph 4400 rpm. Today I put my original 14.5 x 19 pitch 3 blade back on. topped out at 44mph 4400rpm. people are tell me to go to a 21 pitch stainless 3 blade should hit 50mph. I am going to have a couple different props, 1 for speed, 1 for pulling the kids on tubes, and one better prop. Love the boat. Today was a 1' chop on lake michigan (Escanaba) the boat handled like a dream. first time boat owner but I've been in alot of different boat, but nothing like this one. cuts through the water like a hot knife through butter. Very smooooooth. Sorry for getting carried away, can you tell I like my newused boat. Hope this helps

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

My Talari 180 has a 4.3 with a stainless 19 pitch three blade and it will do 53 mph with my wife and kids on board. My RPM is right at the limit of 4800. If you go up in pitch you can expect about a 400 rpm loss per inch of pitch. We live at 1200 ft elevation. If you get the boat post some pics so we can see it.:D

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Mikey's advice is right on.
My 1995 Talari 180 has a 19in Stilletto and my brother-in-law's 1994 Barchetta 180 had a 21in Stilletto.

My top end is around 4900 rpm and around 47 to 48 mph. My brother-in-law could get to 52mph, not sure of the rpm.

I prefer the acceleration of the 19 as I can't afford to run full throttle. Also, the engine doesn't have to work as hard with the 19.

Propnut,

Pretty impressive results, 53mph @ 4800 rpm.

What brand prop are you running?

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

53mph is extremely good for these boats. I'm assuming that's what the speedo said rather than it being tested with a GPS ?

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Just wondering, do boat speedometers usually run higher or lower than GPS readings??

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

My speedo usually reads higher than my GPS.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Same with mine.....about 2-3 mph difference.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Same with mine. It's almost "dead on" up to about 40 MPH, then starts reading about 2-3 MPH fast.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Paul,
sorry so slow to respond. The prop I am running is a stainless steel Quicksilver 48-16316A4 19p. My boat is almost identical to yours, except color. I also have the 4 barrel carbeuretor. I have'nt checked my speedo numbers against a GPS so I might be full of S@$%. Can I use my Garmin GPS out of my truck?
Rick

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

I dont see why you couldn't use your Garmin to measure your speed. 'course it might not tell you what exit to get off at or whether or not you have arrived at your destination. :D

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

I have the 4.3LX from a 88' merc. I was just curious as to whether it made a difference between the 88' and the original 93' model that came in it. I posted earlier on a different thread that i was topping out at 40mph at 4800rpms....but that was only at about 3/4ths throttle. I have a lot more throttle to give her. I have the 14in 19pitch prop so i know its not the best for top end but is the high rpms and more throttle attributed the the 88' engine? Or is that the prop choice? What speed should i be realistically getting and at what rpms?

PS i also have already checked my tach and turned it a few times like suggested. I have tried to find a place where i can test different props out but they wont me to buy one first. So im still unsure of the best choice to put on.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Likely moving up to a 21" pitch prop will allow more throttle & result in a higher top end. Your situation is the other extreme of what PropNut posted (53mph with a 19" pitch prop). In both cases i would recommend using a GPS to accurately measure your speed. I would also have someone check the throttle cable linkages to see that they are set up correctly. There may have also been a gearing difference with the '88 Mercruiser motor/outdrive that was installed in your '93 boat. You should be hitting the mid 40's with the 19" or even 50-51 mph with a 21" pitch.

Re: Looking at 180 Shabah 4.3L
 

Yeah the outdrive is brand new put on last fall just the engine is from 88'. But i will check the speed with a gps next time out. Im not too worried about the top end speed as i mainly use it for watersports i just wasnt sure if it should still be running at those rpms with the 19 pitch prop. But im taking it to the shop in the next week or so ill ask their opinion.

Thanks for all of your help this forum is great!