Breaking in your outboard...

[MJBo]

I've got a 90hp '05 suzuki 4-stroke on an alumacraft Navigator 165 CS and I just finished breaking her in. First time at full throttle I could only get about 30mph out of her (by GPS). Was a little disappointed. Anybody got the same rig or have any predictions about how many MPH I can expect to pick up down the road. Appreciate the help.

[ChuckN]

That boat should do over 40mph I would assume. Alumacraft's performance tests with a 60hp motor went 35mph. The Magnum 165 series with a 90 went 41 mph.

You might want to talk to the dealer on this. Motor mount height could be the issue? I assume the motor runs fine? Bogging? 30 mph is ridiculously slow...

[MJBo]

It sure sounds like its running great. I've always heard that new outboards can pick up quite a bit of speed as you drive them over the first year. Any chance thats the deal?

[Dave1]

Do you have the right prop pitch? (Are the max rpms in the correct range)

[MJBo]

My Max RPMs at full throttle are btn 4200 and 4400. That seems kinda low. Starting to panic... Think I'm turning into a boat hypochondriac. Feel like a first time father who thinks his baby is sick.....

[unclejake]

I have a 40hp 4 stroke suzuki that runs at 6000 rpm...not sure if thats normal for all size engines...but your manual should tell you what max rpm range you should be running in. I'd look there and see if you're in that range. I'm sure there are a lot better experts about this that will be posting soon...so I'm sure you'll get it figured out. Just a bummer if it does not work right from the get go. Good luck.

[fishlakeman]

deleated

[ChuckN]

TOO LOW RPM's. Recommended RPM is 5000-6000.

Kinda obvious question, but did you trim the motor at full throttle? What happened? Prop blow out, bow lift, porpoising, need more details from what you observed at full throttle.

If you tried all that with no obvious signs, bring that boat back to the dealer. Something is wrong and you paid a lot of money for a good boat. Could be prop, motor height, possible hull, or motor performance issues.

[MJBo]

I think I had it trimmed pretty well. It was riding on plane nicely and wasn't pushing up the back of the boat or porpoising at all.

[DRH1175]

I would start with the prop. If you are only getting mid 4000's that could be the problem. Simple fix your dealer should exchange for a different one. It could be the linkage. But I would think the dealer would have gotten that right. I am going to pick up my new explorer with the f115 yammy on it. Hopefully everthing on that will be perfect. I am kinda scared after hearing horror stories.

[marknamy]

Too much pitch in the prop. I run a 140 Suzuki and it took three props to find the right combination. After finding the right prop you can work on motor height. Just my $.02.