1976 F-28 not getting up to speed

pnmudge · Post by **pnmudge** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 12:33 am

Hi everyone

We've had an offer accepted on an F-28 and sea-trialed it saturday. Were very disappointed in it's performance as it never got up on plane and wouldn't go beyond 3000 RPM with twin 225hp 318 Chryslers.
Max speed was 18knts, pushing water and probably guzzling the fuel. Our expert mechanics on board assured us the engines were in tip-top condition, so that's not it.

Could be bottom growth... but were wondering if the props are correct. Listing sheet says they're 14x10".

Any other F-28s out there who can tell me what size your props are and what kind of performance you're getting? How about GPH?

Thanks very much to Dreamer who had some great input and suggested the trim tabs were set with the bow down too far.

The boat's being hauled tomorrow (Wed) so we'll check the bottom and props then....

We really want to go forward with the purchase of this boat, but not the way it's running now.

Thank you very much!

pnmudge · Post by **pnmudge** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:12 pm

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your feedback.

Boat was hauled today and there wasn't much growth on the hull (though the bottom paint was apparently coming off in sheets) and some growth on the props.... and it looked like the trim tabs were pretty close to the middle....

Oh, and it turns out the fuel is over a year old.....

So it sounds like they'll do another sea trial next week (?) with fresh fuel and try the trim tabs with bow up and see how she goes!

Thanks for the feedback on the carbs, too... I'll have that looked at.

Anyone else with any ballpark figures on gallons per hour I can expect out of this one?

Thanks!

kevin babineau · Post by **kevin babineau** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 11:25 pm

if u have to ask how much fuel then u shouldnt get it....im just teasing

pnmudge · Post by **pnmudge** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:28 am

LOL!! I know... i know... just trying to go in with both eyes wide open

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:14 am

Figure on an average of 5 gph per engine for light cruising with boat well trimmed and "normal" load. You should get under that if running at under 2000 rpm. I only have a single 318 and we usually get 3 gph bopping around at 1800 rpm. You should get around 4000 rpm per engine at WOT if it's tuned up and not overloaded.

pnmudge · Post by **pnmudge** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:11 pm

Thanks very much, randyp!

So it was the timing!!! They tweaked the timing, and the thing took off!! practically flew!!! We're very excited

Just gotta do the survey now and if all goes well, the boat's ours! Cross your fingers for us, everyone

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:34 pm

Good luck . did they clean the wheels & shafts ? if the did it could have made a big difrence