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Yep. What he said. If you slow down the boat will bow steer, which I think is what you mean by wake walking. If you're solidly on plane, this shouldn't happen.

That's very poor performance. You should be able to go at least 40 mph with a 250 and get at least 2.5 mpg at around 4000 rpm. If the boat needs a bottom job, the could be your whole problem. It doesn't take much fouling to ruin performance. Suzukis are notoriously hard to prop correctly...

That's why it's impossible to give a general recommendation about the use of tabs. Every hull is different. You have to mess around with your own boat under different conditions in order to learn how to trim the boat correctly. Trim gauges are notoriously inaccurate. You need to learn what...

I would say no. The stock tabs on my 226 are too short. I'd go with the next size larger if possible.

If you use the tabs to lift the stern, the anti-ventilation plate is still in line with the keel if you have the engine trimmed properly.

That's a battery charger. It won't help you if you aren't connected to shore power.

Good info! Just to expand on the tabs vs trim angle point: The most efficient engine trim position for most hulls is that which puts the anti-ventilation plate in parallel with the keel of the boat. Trimming in any further just creates unnecessary drag if you have tabs. You are pushing the...

Another easier solution is to countersink the holes a bit and put the old SS screws back in after filling the holes with 5200.

You are only charging one battery at a time when you are on #1 or #2. But it's much safer to run that way because a dead cell in one battery can't drain the other one. Only use the both position when both batteries are low and you need the two of them to get you started. The best solution is...

Look at the upper pair of mounting bolts attaching your engine to the bracket. Which of the 4 pairs of holes on the engine mount are used? The second set of holes is typically used. Look and see if there is any type of spacer (wedge) between the engine mount and the transom bracket. Or you...

luckydude, how high is your engine mounted? From what you have been describing, it sounds like yours may be mounted too high. There is no way that I can get much over 32 mph with my engine tucked all the way in. My jack plate setback is only 5", which is not comparable to the bracket on a...

It’s interesting that Mercury has done a recall in Australia. Here in the states they are denying there is a problem and turning down warranty claims.

The Honda has a lot less torque at the low and mid-range rpm than either Yamaha. The variable valve lift doesn't shift over to the high lobes until way up in the rpm range. The engine came with a 17" prop, but I had to re-pitch it for just the reason you describe: I needed more torque to get...

There are a lot of variables to speed and fuel use. What pitch prop are you using? I'm running a 16" prop that started out as a 17". I had it re-pitched and had some of the cupping removed. I turn 5900 rpm at WOT and run 42-44 mph depending on the wind and current direction. I have a...

I wish I was there to show you how I do it. I ran the Pacific for many years. It's a very different sea condition than either Gulf or the Atlantic. You just can't run fast except during the rare days when it's pretty flat. The engine needs to be trimmed so that the prop is well hooked up. In...

I previously had a 3.3L F250, which gets maybe 15% better mileage at cruise than the current 4.2 L version. I could get 3 mpg at 4000 rpm or below. But it would start to suck fuel as I went faster. This Honda has been amazing. The ECU seems to adapt to the boat or sea conditions over time...

Looking at the gauge, about 65% up. I'll run at 70% when it's flat and get a little better economy. I can get 3.5 mpg at 3800 rpm when it's flat. If I trim the bow down below 50% the mileage goes to crap.

BTW, you guys are getting crappy fuel economy with those Yamahas. This was in a 1-2 ft chop.

Nautical miles were useful for chart based navigation because of the relationship to latitude. Now a day, using knots instead of miles or kilometers is largely historical. You sound like a real mariner when you use knots. ;)

Lower units are a disposable item where I boat. Most folks go with SEI unless their insurance will cover the OEM part. Most do. SEI units don't hold up as well as the original Yamaha part. But their no questions asked replacement policy is great. Since they are pretty local to me, I've...