200 Too Slow, what to do
Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2023 7:49 pm
Last year I purchased a 1995 Cobalt 200, with. 5.0LX rated at 205hp.
(My first boat)
Decent shape, but a little rough, but priced accordingly. I don't mind projects and am familiar with both fiberglass work (kayaks), and engines (cars, tractors, etc.). So I wasn't too worried and figure it was a good way to learn boats.
Previous owner said it would do 50mph (true GPS speed).
Before buying did a water test and everything felt fine but it was too rough to try out that top speed.
When I went to take it out on a calmer day after purchase I could only hit close to 40mph. (Verified on GPS)
It was the end of the boating season here in Michigan and time to winterize though so I went through it as I winterized and didn't see anything wrong, but figured I could just figure it out this year.
Well this year I have done everything but figure out why it will only do 40mph. I have tried almost everything that I can think of, Ignition system is new from the coil to the plugs, and the fuel pump is new and carb rebuilt. However at the end of all of that my max is only 42mph.
General driving around feels fine, and can cruise all day at 35 with no issue.
So my first question is am I correct to think that this boat with this Engine should be able to hit close to 50mph?
At this point my options are.
1. Live with it the way it is, and move on to fixing other things.
2. Tear down the top end of the engine and install new heads, intake and cam over this winter (only ideas I have left are a bad valve or cam)
3. Tear out the whole engine and build a 350 for it.
4. Start looking for a 226 or other Cobalt to replace this slow boat.
(My first boat)
Decent shape, but a little rough, but priced accordingly. I don't mind projects and am familiar with both fiberglass work (kayaks), and engines (cars, tractors, etc.). So I wasn't too worried and figure it was a good way to learn boats.
Previous owner said it would do 50mph (true GPS speed).
Before buying did a water test and everything felt fine but it was too rough to try out that top speed.
When I went to take it out on a calmer day after purchase I could only hit close to 40mph. (Verified on GPS)
It was the end of the boating season here in Michigan and time to winterize though so I went through it as I winterized and didn't see anything wrong, but figured I could just figure it out this year.
Well this year I have done everything but figure out why it will only do 40mph. I have tried almost everything that I can think of, Ignition system is new from the coil to the plugs, and the fuel pump is new and carb rebuilt. However at the end of all of that my max is only 42mph.
General driving around feels fine, and can cruise all day at 35 with no issue.
So my first question is am I correct to think that this boat with this Engine should be able to hit close to 50mph?
At this point my options are.
1. Live with it the way it is, and move on to fixing other things.
2. Tear down the top end of the engine and install new heads, intake and cam over this winter (only ideas I have left are a bad valve or cam)
3. Tear out the whole engine and build a 350 for it.
4. Start looking for a 226 or other Cobalt to replace this slow boat.