Nipper is back

nipper · #1 07-23-2007, 03:57 PM

I inherited my 1990 V20 from my father after he passed away. It had sat for a couple years and ended up with a cracked block. Dad used it in the ocean off Scituate, Massachusetts, and the 4.3 litre motor had quite a bit of rust. After weighing my options, I decided to go ahead and replace the whole motor. I ended up purchasing a brand new 4.3 litre vortec v6 over Ebay, and the transaction worked out real well. I got the motor in early April, but did not get the boat back from the mechanic until mid-July (and he's a friend of mine!). The stringers ended up needing to be replaced, so I sunk quite a chunk of change into the project, but am very happy to have the boat back. I took pix and will post soon.

I went out on the inaugural cruise this weekend. Motor has the new Mercury "turnkey" ignition, and you do not even need to set the choke when motor is cold-- just turn the key. The motor ran very well. I was disappointed in overall performance, however, because it seemed like the prop was just not getting enough bite.

With the previous 4.3 v6 and same alpha (generation 2) outdrive, Nipper would jump right up on a plane and run great. With the new setup, however, it seemed to struggle to get up on a plane, and, generally, seemed to be turning too many RPM's for the speed I was going. I guess I am going to have to experiment with a larger/higher pitch prop. I am surprised my mechanic (again, my friend) did not discover this on his test run of the boat.

This might be because of higher horsepower. The new 4.3 vortec is rated at 190 h.p. at the prop, whereas the old 1990 4.3 was rated at 165 at the shaft. Could this change in h.p. be what is causing the lack of bite because the engine is much more efficient at turning the prop?

I'll have to play around with it, but I am just glad that Nipper is back. Anybody know anyone who would be interested in my other boat--a sweet 1985 Formula Sunsport F-2 (20') cuddy with a 265 h.p. Merc. 350?

willy · #2 07-23-2007, 04:24 PM

Welcome Nipper, it is good to see you did the right thing by your Dads V. Very nice. It sounds like you are on the right track prop wise and I cannot advise you on I/O's but many guys here will be able to. Just wanted to say welcome and enjoy, your Dad had very good taste in boats ;)

nipper · #3 07-23-2007, 04:49 PM

Indeed he did. I was with him the day in '90 when he picked it up at the dealer and we made our way through Boston Harbor and down the coast to Scituate. The day after I brought her home from the mechanic (it is now on a trailer--Dad never had one) I had it sitting in the driveway. There was a light rain, and my 2 kids stood under the bow flare to stay dry while waiting for the bus (kids are on year round school schedule and have already gone back to school). The guy who owns the industrial property where my mechanic has his shop was not happy with me though. He hoped I would elect to not put in the new engine and ask the mechanic to sell it. Apparently he took one look at it and fell in love. The V is not a boat you see often here in central Indiana, but any boat lover can spot her instantly as a classic beauty.

reelapeelin · #4 07-23-2007, 05:11 PM

Welcome Nipper...like the old coot, Willy, I just wanted to say hey and glad ya made it ... glad to hear there's enough water in central Ind. to float a "V" ;) ... and tell the guy who wanted yours about this site and he'll have his very own quicker than he can say STEP-LIFT 8) ...lotta GOOD 'uns go thru here ... :) ...

Shawsee · #5 07-23-2007, 05:22 PM

Welcome Nipper, I am sure your Dad would be very proud of you for what you have done. ;)

lumberslinger178 · #6 07-23-2007, 06:18 PM

welcome aboard....... pics brother before hammer gets to ya ;D ;D ;D

C YENSEN · #7 07-23-2007, 06:54 PM

glad to hear your back on the water ;D

msbhammer · #8 07-24-2007, 02:44 AM

Sniff, sniff. I'm smelling Pics. ;D Welcome to teh site and lets see what ya have. Feel free to post as many pics. that your memory card will hold. ;D

frayed_knot · #9 07-26-2007, 10:57 PM

Welcome aboard Nipper. What have you got now for a prop? Any idea what the specs are for rpm on the new motor? That will help alot. There are a few prop sites with calculators on them to help you select the right prop for your application. I'm suspecting a 14 X 19 p is what you'll be looking at.