A little more power would have been nice.

B

breausaw

New member
Yesterday was one of those times when I wish the TripleJ had a little more get up and go, we took my wife’s sister and a friend out of Whittier 35 miles to berry pick and sightsee in Prince William Sound. It was by far the sunniest and calmest day all year, our guest were spell bound. I removed the pot puller, dink motor, shrimp pots, stern cooler, and a few other items, but the added weight of two (large) adults really had a negative impact on performance. We needed to cover a lot of water (over 80 miles) so I pushed the throttle to over 90% most of the day to achieve 20 to 21mph, still got close to 3.5 mpg overall.
Just have to think the added power of a 115 would have made a significant difference, but only to me; our guests were too awestruck by the beauty and marine life to notice.
 
Welcome to my world, Jay. This is exactly how it is when we run for albacore. Fuel consumption is the same too.

I was told to change out the OEM prop with a smaller pitch and add permatrim, but I dont know if those would really help. I havent read of anyone loading heavily like I do to justify the added expenses yet.

I recall reading about a 4 blade Solas but Im not clear with the results on a heavily load boat.
 
I've had 8 people aboard with gear for the weekend and the engine is definitely working harder but I can still cruise at 17-18 knots at about 4600-4700 RPM. Fuel consumption goes through the roof with the BF90D with that much weight, though.

I have to admit, though, it is sometimes nice to take the Whaler out and open up the throttle. Even with 9 aboard, she'll cruise comfortably in the mid 30's and top out in the upper 40's, but 12-20 GPH is no fun.
 
I have a permatrim and the standard aluminum prop, when normally loaded with wife and son the motor can reach recommended WOT RPM of 5500+; changing pitch makes no sense. Sure I guess I could buy a lower pitch prop for those rare times when I’m heavy but just don’t see the value in that.

Can’t imagine having 8 people and gear on the boat, must be little people.

There is just no substitute for more hp, 25 more would definitely make a difference.
 
I would be happy if I could cruise at 15 knots because most of the time our ocean just does not cooperate. Maybe your running calmer water. If my passengers are happy so am I. I know in our waters I have had conditions that top speed is 7 knts and only the fishermen are happy.

As mentioned you could change prop pitch.

I run the 4 bladed solas props and still waller with a heavy load. I did not notice to much difference from changing props. But my boat handled a load of 30 tuna with a safe trip back. 60 tuna might have been another story.
 
There's a 22' Angler in Valdez that's running a 115 ETec. Check with the "Git-Er-Done". That's his new engine - old one was a 115 Johnson. Guess he likes the extra power.
 
I went from a 1988 88hp 2 stroke Johnson to a 2009 115 4 stroke Mercury.
Fuel consumption is better than half, when going up to our cabin I can cruise at 4000 RPM and do 25 kts with 2 of us in the boat.
WOT is 5500 RPM and just over 32knts.
I have carried 7 or 8 people and their gear up to the cabin 3 or 4 times this year and run at 5000 RPM and hold 23knts.
That extra power is nice when you need it.
Jimbo
 
On my old 1983 Classic I ran a 115 HP Johnson for the 1st 14 yrs. Then changed to a 90 HP Honda. It has been on the boat for 13 years.
The Honda reached a higher top speed, carried a larger load and used less than 1/2 the fuel to do it.
My son still uses it today and runs excellent.
 
We had the 06 suzuki 90 hp which was the same block as the 115 . This was the only 90 that had more hp then advertized She would do 34-36mph lighly loaded she ran a 14by 18pich prop The other 90's all run 15pitch props Thats where the suzuki really shine . the new 90 is based on their 70-90 hp block 1600cc vs 2000cc.

I think if you are going to run heavy the 115 is the way to go the added benefit is less fuel used when cruising lower rpm's
 
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