Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:

1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
19.5' Length over all
2200 lbs dry weight
1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
StingRay Hydrofoil
35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM

Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
6-7 gph WOT
5 gph cruise




5 MPG at WOT ! Wow, there are some RV owners that would like to do that
well at any speed...

Rob

trainfan1 wrote:

Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:

1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
19.5' Length over all
2200 lbs dry weight
1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
StingRay Hydrofoil
35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM

Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
6-7 gph WOT
5 gph cruise




5 MPG at WOT ! Wow, there are some RV owners that would like to do that
well at any speed...

Rob

2003 Parker 2520XL
Yamaha 225 four stroke
About 32' overall (pulpit and transom bracket)
About 6500 pounds with engine, half tank of fuel, stuff
39+ mph at 6000 rpm, WOT 20 gph
24-25 mph at 4100-4300 rpm, 10 gph

Because of the incessant hard chop on Chesapeake Bay, I usually run at
20-22 knots, keeping gph under 10. I watch the fuel flow meter more than
anything else.

5 MPG at WOT ! Wow, there are some RV owners that would like to do that
well at any speed...

This is an educated guess- could be inaccurate, but after several outings
and refilling at the same gas station to a full tank after every outing, it
seems to be about right. I'm using the Hour meter on my electronic compass,
since the engine doesn't have one. The stated GPH rating for this
boat/engine/outdrive/prop combo is a little over 7 GPH at WOT, mine may be
better because I dont reach the 5100 RPM max engine speed due to my
over-pitched prop. Also, the StingRay hydrofoil supposedly improves fuel
economy 10% to 50%.

We skied/tubed for about 2.5 hours Sunday, and puttered around for about 2
more, on a calm lake, and burned less than 14 gallons. 3 adults and 1 dog
plus equipment. I'm not complaining at all...

Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
5 MPG at WOT ! Wow, there are some RV owners that would like to do that
well at any speed...


This is an educated guess- could be inaccurate, but after several outings
and refilling at the same gas station to a full tank after every outing, it
seems to be about right. I'm using the Hour meter on my electronic compass,
since the engine doesn't have one. The stated GPH rating for this
boat/engine/outdrive/prop combo is a little over 7 GPH at WOT, mine may be
better because I dont reach the 5100 RPM max engine speed due to my
over-pitched prop. Also, the StingRay hydrofoil supposedly improves fuel
economy 10% to 50%.

We skied/tubed for about 2.5 hours Sunday, and puttered around for about 2
more, on a calm lake, and burned less than 14 gallons. 3 adults and 1 dog
plus equipment. I'm not complaining at all...



There is one Volvo AQ131A-powered Glastron on our lake that is really
good on gas too (and quiet!). I just didn't realize they were THAT good!

Rob

Dang, how do you get so much speed out of your little Volvo engine? I
have a newly rebuilt AQ130C ( 4 cyl. 130 hp) and it only takes my boat
up to 31 mph at WOT, about 5000 rpm with two adults in it. My boat is
a 17' fiberglass v-hull and weighs about 2000 lbs I would guess, and
has a Volvo 270 outdrive on it.

BTW, it consumes just 3-4 gph at cruise speed (4200 rpm, 27 mph).

Bob

Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
:1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
:18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
:19.5' Length over all
:2200 lbs dry weight
:1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
:1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
:Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
:14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
:StingRay Hydrofoil
:35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
:32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM
:
:Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
:4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
:6-7 gph WOT
:5 gph cruise
:
:
:
:"Matt Lang" wrote in message
. com...
: Guys,
:
: I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things are
: made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..
:
: So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
: terms:
:
: - jet
: - 2 stroke
: - carburator (two of them
:
: The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
: wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
: 115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..
:
: What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
: size/weight and what motor are you running ..
:
: I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to a
: more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..
:
: Any info is appreciated
:
:
: Matt
:
:

What prop are you using? Do you have a Sting Ray Hydrofoil? If not, get
one. Boat planes better, and it allows use of a higher pitched prop (14 X 21
SS cupped in my case). Less cavitation, and no "rooster tail"- energy that
would have been wasted with a rooster tail is sent rearward, increasing
propulsion.


"Bob" wrote in message
...
Dang, how do you get so much speed out of your little Volvo engine? I
have a newly rebuilt AQ130C ( 4 cyl. 130 hp) and it only takes my boat
up to 31 mph at WOT, about 5000 rpm with two adults in it. My boat is
a 17' fiberglass v-hull and weighs about 2000 lbs I would guess, and
has a Volvo 270 outdrive on it.

BTW, it consumes just 3-4 gph at cruise speed (4200 rpm, 27 mph).

Bob

Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
:1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
:18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
:19.5' Length over all
:2200 lbs dry weight
:1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
:1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
:Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
:14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
:StingRay Hydrofoil
:35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
:32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM
:
:Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
:4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
:6-7 gph WOT
:5 gph cruise
:
:
:
:"Matt Lang" wrote in message
. com...
: Guys,
:
: I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things are
: made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..
:
: So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
: terms:
:
: - jet
: - 2 stroke
: - carburator (two of them
:
: The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
: wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
: 115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..
:
: What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
: size/weight and what motor are you running ..
:
: I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to a
: more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..
:
: Any info is appreciated
:
:
: Matt
:
:

I am using a standard (aluminum?) 14x17 prop, which seems to match the
boat well because my WOT is about 5200 rpm, but than again I don't know
much about props. I do have a Sting Ray hydrofoil but I prefer not to
use it unless I am going to be carrying a large load...it surely helps
me get up on plane faster, but it also reduces my top end by a few mph
as well as making the steering feel "tight" and not as responsive as
without it. One thing that is different on my boat than many of the
newer boats, is that the bow is closed so I can't put passengers up
there, which probably does not affect the top speed, but sure does
impact the ability to plane quickly when the boat has more than a few
adults in it.


Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
: What prop are you using? Do you have a Sting Ray Hydrofoil? If not, get
ne. Boat planes better, and it allows use of a higher pitched prop (14 X 21
:SS cupped in my case). Less cavitation, and no "rooster tail"- energy that
:would have been wasted with a rooster tail is sent rearward, increasing
ropulsion.
:
:
:"Bob" wrote in message
...
: Dang, how do you get so much speed out of your little Volvo engine? I
: have a newly rebuilt AQ130C ( 4 cyl. 130 hp) and it only takes my boat
: up to 31 mph at WOT, about 5000 rpm with two adults in it. My boat is
: a 17' fiberglass v-hull and weighs about 2000 lbs I would guess, and
: has a Volvo 270 outdrive on it.
:
: BTW, it consumes just 3-4 gph at cruise speed (4200 rpm, 27 mph).
:
: Bob
:
: Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
: :1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
: :18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
: :19.5' Length over all
: :2200 lbs dry weight
: :1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
: :1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
: :Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
: :14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
: :StingRay Hydrofoil
: :35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
: :32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM
: :
: :Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
: :4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
: :6-7 gph WOT
: :5 gph cruise
: :
: :
: :
: :"Matt Lang" wrote in message
: . com...
: : Guys,
: :
: : I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things are
: : made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..
: :
: : So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
: : terms:
: :
: : - jet
: : - 2 stroke
: : - carburator (two of them
: :
: : The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
: : wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
: : 115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..
: :
: : What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
: : size/weight and what motor are you running ..
: :
: : I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to a
: : more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..
: :
: : Any info is appreciated
: :
: :
: : Matt
: :
: :
:
:
:
:

Bob, what model is your outdrive? Do you know the gear ratio? Seems to me
that you should be able to swing a more aggressively pitched prop (more
top-end speed) with that engine, but it would help to know your outdrive
specs.


"Bob" wrote in message
...
I am using a standard (aluminum?) 14x17 prop, which seems to match the
boat well because my WOT is about 5200 rpm, but than again I don't know
much about props. I do have a Sting Ray hydrofoil but I prefer not to
use it unless I am going to be carrying a large load...it surely helps
me get up on plane faster, but it also reduces my top end by a few mph
as well as making the steering feel "tight" and not as responsive as
without it. One thing that is different on my boat than many of the
newer boats, is that the bow is closed so I can't put passengers up
there, which probably does not affect the top speed, but sure does
impact the ability to plane quickly when the boat has more than a few
adults in it.


Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
: What prop are you using? Do you have a Sting Ray Hydrofoil? If not, get
ne. Boat planes better, and it allows use of a higher pitched prop (14 X
21
:SS cupped in my case). Less cavitation, and no "rooster tail"- energy
that
:would have been wasted with a rooster tail is sent rearward, increasing
ropulsion.
:
:
:"Bob" wrote in message
...
: Dang, how do you get so much speed out of your little Volvo engine? I
: have a newly rebuilt AQ130C ( 4 cyl. 130 hp) and it only takes my boat
: up to 31 mph at WOT, about 5000 rpm with two adults in it. My boat is
: a 17' fiberglass v-hull and weighs about 2000 lbs I would guess, and
: has a Volvo 270 outdrive on it.
:
: BTW, it consumes just 3-4 gph at cruise speed (4200 rpm, 27 mph).
:
: Bob
:
: Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
: :1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
: :18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
: :19.5' Length over all
: :2200 lbs dry weight
: :1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
: :1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
: :Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
: :14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
: :StingRay Hydrofoil
: :35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
: :32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM
: :
: :Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
: :4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
: :6-7 gph WOT
: :5 gph cruise
: :
: :
: :
: :"Matt Lang" wrote in message
: . com...
: : Guys,
: :
: : I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things
are
: : made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..
: :
: : So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
: : terms:
: :
: : - jet
: : - 2 stroke
: : - carburator (two of them
: :
: : The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
: : wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
: : 115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..
: :
: : What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
: : size/weight and what motor are you running ..
: :
: : I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to
a
: : more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..
: :
: : Any info is appreciated
: :
: :
: : Matt
: :
: :
:
:
:
:

BTW- if your Volvo AQ130 is like my AQ125, it isnt 130 hp. My "125" is
actually 105 hp effective. I'll wager that other Volvo engines are similarly
mis-labeled.


"Bob" wrote in message
...
Dang, how do you get so much speed out of your little Volvo engine? I
have a newly rebuilt AQ130C ( 4 cyl. 130 hp) and it only takes my boat
up to 31 mph at WOT, about 5000 rpm with two adults in it. My boat is
a 17' fiberglass v-hull and weighs about 2000 lbs I would guess, and
has a Volvo 270 outdrive on it.

BTW, it consumes just 3-4 gph at cruise speed (4200 rpm, 27 mph).

Bob

Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
:1985 Bayliner 1952 cuddy
:18.5' fiberglass 'modified V' hull
:19.5' Length over all
:2200 lbs dry weight
:1985 Volvo Penta AQ125B 4 cyl 105 hp 4 stroke
:1 barrel Solex carb 35 mm
:Volvo Penta 270 Stern drive
:14 X 19 modified SS 3-blade prop (14 X 21 effective)
:StingRay Hydrofoil
:35 mph WOT @ 4800 RPM
:32 mph cruise @ 4400 RPM
:
:Premium unleaded fuel (92 octane)
:4 adults & 1 dog, ski equipment, coolers, etc-
:6-7 gph WOT
:5 gph cruise
:
:
:
:"Matt Lang" wrote in message
. com...
: Guys,
:
: I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things are
: made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..
:
: So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
: terms:
:
: - jet
: - 2 stroke
: - carburator (two of them
:
: The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
: wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
: 115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..
:
: What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
: size/weight and what motor are you running ..
:
: I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to a
: more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..
:
: Any info is appreciated
:
:
: Matt
:
:

"Matt Lang" wrote in message
om...
Guys,

I am thinking about getting a harbercraft jetboat ... these things are
made from aluminum and have the 175 HP Mercury sportjet..

So far so good ... Now what raises the fuel warning flag are the
terms:

- jet
- 2 stroke
- carburator (two of them

The boat will burn about 5 gallons per hour at 30 mph... now I was
wondering how this compares to a similar sized fiberglass hboat with
115-150 HP 4 Stroke outboard..

What is the fuel you burn at cruise speed and WOT, whats your boat
size/weight and what motor are you running ..

I am interested in how the relatively light alu jetboat compares to a
more conventional boat with 4 stroke motor..

Any info is appreciated


Matt

Matt: I'm fairly familiar with the Harborcraft hulls, the old Jetcraft
hulls and the sportjet.

First, as someone pointed out, Harbaorcraft bought out Jetcraft - and pretty
much changed all the lines to the Harborcraft hulls, whether they be labeled
Jetcraft or Harborcraft. The new Jetcrafts are really nothing like the old
ones, and they are exactly like the Harborcrafts. Not to say
Harborcraft/jetcraft aren't decent enough hulls - they are very fine hulls.
But, they're not of the Grade A+++, bulletproof build quality of the old
Jetcraft. And you're not paying that kind of money either, probably.

Just mho, of course. AND, this isn't your question anyway!

the Merc 175 carbeurated sportjet. I've spent a lot of time with my
friend's and have gone on a very long trip with him as well as many short
ones. Where are you getting the 5 GPH at 30 mph stat? Product literature
(propaganda) or actual experience? Our experience, with a hull that's a bit
lighter than any Harborcraft hull I've seen is more like 10 GPH at cruising
speed which indeed is around 30mph (with over 40 at wot). About 3 miles
per gallon, rule of thumb. Which, by the way, is excellent mileage for a 2
stroke jet. With a comparable large outboard jet on a boat of any size, one
is lucky to get 2 - 2.5 miles per gallon at that speed/rpms, so we've always
figured the sportjet is a good 30-50% better - and this is measured, not
manufacturer's info.

Your mileage estimation at 5 gph would be 6 mpg, which would be
unbelievable for any jet boat with a large V6 two stroke - and about double
what an inboard Chevy-based jet would get (which are generally considered to
be quite a bit more fuel efficient than any two stroke jet) - which
indicates to me how far fetched it is. My 90s era carbeurated Chevy 5.7 L
inboard jet (on an old Jetcraft, by the way) burned 8-10 gph at cruising
(around 30 mph) speed; anything under 10 gph was considered pretty good for
that speed.

By the way, the info my friend received in the sales brochure for his boat
also said 5 mpg at that speed and it's just not proven to be true.

That said, I really think the Merc sport jet line is a great option for a
jet boat. In my opinion, the Merc. sport jet is BY FAR the most efficient 2
stroke carbeureated jet - far more efficient than a comparably powered
outboard jet. I would assume the 200 hp Optimax is even more efficient. I
like them a lot and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I definitely like
them better than any outboard jet option because of the efficiency and a lot
more than any chevy-based jet because they're so much lighter and take up
less interior space.

And don't get me wrong - there's absolutely nothing wrong with the
Harborcraft. It's a fine fairly light weight and good value in a hull.

In other words, even though I disagree with your mileage estimate, this
sounds like a great, good valued rig to me, based on what I've seen of the
hulls and what I know of the motors.

Hope this helps.

Cam