Pacific 2325 W/ Honda 130

[Kelper]

Recently picked up a 2002 Pacific 2325 T-Top with a 2002 Honda 130. The price was right and I figure I'll run the 130 till it pukes, and then go with a 225 or 250 and have a new engine to run with. (I'll be power trolling out of the boat) The boat is in almost "new" condition, except for the non-skid on the floor.

I have 130gal of fuel in the belly, so she's got some weight in her right now. I'm running an aluminum 3 bladed 13 pitch prop. Yesterday when I took her for a spin, I was doing 5500-6k rpms for 20mph. Didn't seem to be any middle ground to keep it on step. I changed to prop to a new spare that was in the boat making sure the hub wasn't spun on the older prop on the engine, but it did the same thing leaving the dock today. I set down and tossed out my crab pots, and when I made my return trip to the harbor I did 20mph at 4800 rpms. More in line with what the old owner told me it would do. Seemed to be wanting to grip the water on the return trip.

I know a 2325 is grossly underpowered with a 130 Honda. But, I know that guys ran them before the big 4 strokes came out and I'm pretty sure this is the original engine that came with the boat. Anybody know any tricks to propping/running the 130 to avoid cavitation issues? Seems like there'd be a prop out there that I shouldn't have an issue with.

[Chaps]

Not sure I get the question exactly but I'll say up front that a 13 pitch propeller hooked up 100% and the engine at 6000 rpm isn't going to propel anything much faster than about 20 knots, even something smaller and lighter, I doubt that it is cavitating, more likely just free wheeling due to low apparent load. You didn't say what pitch the spare prop is that seems to perform a bit better . . . do you sense it is slipping or cavitating as well? Will the engine hit 6k with that prop too or is 4800 at max throttle?

My 21 Edwing only had a 90 Honda so its power to weight was likely similar to yours. The prop that came with it was a 19 pitch and the boat was too heavy for it especially when loaded with gear & people. It was a workboat and I didn't care much about top speed I just wanted it to pull hard when towing big derelicts so I bought a really low pitch prop for it, 11 or 12 as I recall and it was hilarious because at WOT 6k the boat couldn't get going fast enough to get up on plane (even lightly loaded) but it would pull literally anything (and did). I finally settled on 2 props, a 15 pitch mouse ear workboat type 3 blade for high load situations that had just enough bite on deadhead runs to plane the boat out and a more performance style 17 pitch 3 blade for general running around. I would swap them back and forth depending on what I was going to do with the boat.

[AlloyToy]

What hole is the motor on?

[Kelper]

Chaps,

Both props were identical. I could still get it up to 55-5600 rpm, but didn't leave it there to see the speed. 5100 gave me about 25 mph. I'm so used to running my 4 strokes at 4200 rpm that the thought of 4800-5000 rpm is messing with my mind.

Alloy Toy, it was on the bottom hole. Trim gauge shows the engine not trimming down all the way, but it could be that the gauge isn't working properly too.

[Chaps]

I'd recommend going to Propco and getting one of their 15 pitch heavy duty props, part # LM57-15SP or possibly LM57-17SP

http://www.propcopropellers.com/honda_Marine.htm

[Kelper]

Thanks guys. The 13 pitch prop seems to be doing much better now. Took it for a 50 mile spin yesterday.

[welder]

Thanks guys. The 13 pitch prop seems to be doing much better now. Took it for a 50 mile spin yesterday.

ANNNND

Fuel burn was?
Speed was?
On step at?

[Kelper]

I wish I knew the fuel burn. 130 gal tank was full. About 21mph at 48-4900 rpm. Piss flat day. Killed a buck and go a bunch of crabs. Pretty slow deer hunting though. Boat beaches really well and getting in and out isn't a problem.

Local dealer has me almost convinced to put twin 115 merc command thrust 4 strokes on the back after the first of the year. I might.