first \"ride\"
 

Finally was able to get the underside of the boat wet last weekend. This was my first experience with "the ride". Must say I was impressed. I did not get a good test due to the timing, I think I have seen bigger waves in my Son's Bathtub. I did get to cut through a few wakes from fellow boaters and a couple of barges in the ICW. I only had one thing to say when I returned though and that was WOW. I can't wait until this coming weekend when I can hopefully get a good run out of her. I ran pretty short due to a fuel gauge not working and not sure if I was overheating the Merc. Man those things run hot. I finally was able to put a thermometer on it tonight and I am between 130-135( with a calibrated therm.) and from what I understand that is still below normal range. so here is the recap...very smooth, very stable, very strong and very fast.
Look for update after this weekend (hopefully)
P.S. how long do you have to be a Seacraft owner to qualify for one of the "cool" shirts.

Re: first \"ride\"
 

I think it is a function of cash, not time :D.
Do you have trim tabs on the 20SF?

Re: first \"ride\"
 

the day you buy the boat!lol

Re: first \"ride\"
 

Looks like you will get your wish, this tropical low which has been sitting off Daytona for the last 4 days is heading your way by this weekend. You should have 6 to 8
footers to play with :eek:..... Let us know how it goes.

See ya, Ken

Re: first \"ride\"
 

Thats how I felt on my first "ride"! :cool:
But Merc runnin' hot? Not mine, never heard.....hmmm....If you run around 2000 for a while...they do heat up...but at idle, and plane...it should run nice and cool. ;)

Re: first \"ride\"
 

yea that ride is something else. mine always performs best when it needs to. i can run around in chop that more expensive newer boats of similar size have to slow down in. they get mad about that... especially when u know who they are and think their boat is the greatest!!!

Re: first \"ride\"
 

no, trim tabs that is something I have been thinking about. Do they make that big of a difference?

Re: first \"ride\"
 

I have never had a Merc. before. It just seems hotter than the others, but after testing last night I am still within the parameters. I was always able to hold my hand under the TT on my Johnson, evinrude, and yamaha for as long as I wanted. Not only is this my first SC but it is also my first Merc.

Re: first \"ride\"
 

Merc V6 thermostats begin to open at 143 degrees, but the telltale stream is mixed with water exiting the exhaust housing as well as from the thermostats. Depending on how much of each is in the telltale, it can get pretty hot. My telltale nearly always steams, even in summer, but my cylinder heads are both still sitting at about 170-180 degrees on an infrared thermometer. If I run WOT for a long time, they will creep up to about 185-190 degrees. The DNE temp on 87-98 Merc 2 stroke V6's is 225 degrees according to the mechanic who built mine. Later models have a DNE temp of 205 degrees, especially the Optimax.

I actually ran aftermarket 165 degree thermostats for a while. I found I had more power, but less economy, and shorter plug life.

I currently run stock thermostats, which are supposed to begin opening at 143 degrees and be fully open at 145. However, both mine actually begin to open at about 125, and are fully open by 135 degrees.

To maintain good water flow, put in a new impeller every 12 months or 100 hours of use, whichever comes first. I change my impeller every January, and use a whole water pump rebuild kit at least every 3 years.

Re: first \"ride\"
 

I ran a couple Opti's for awhile with the smartcraft gauges and they were right on 140, sounds good to me.

Re: first \"ride\"
 

Frank - Do you ever run with disc's in place of thermostats? My old V225 had rerouted lines, no stats (quarters with holes) and it never got hot . . . always had a nice pee stream.

Re: first \"ride\"
 

skipjake,

that makes another seacraft owner in Houston. What type of seacraft did you get?

Re: first \"ride\"
 

'72, 20 SPORTFISH W/ 97, 150 merc. How 'bout you. How many are there in the Houston Area?