f302 setup and speeds? just purchased!
 

I just bougt an 86 f302. Stock 454, trs drives, borg transmission, 3 blade 24 pitch props. Getting serviced at Wilkes Marine in Santa Ana, Ca.

Any recommendation to setup are welcome. The updated formula thread is great for the cosmetics. No need to change out motors or drives but the props may go to a 4 blade.

Need some pics!! Congrats on the purchase

302's are great boats...in fact I have my eye on one after I finish the 255 I'm doing. In your case I recommend running it and enjoying it. You are probably propped correctly...down the road consider changing the old "Log Style" exhaust manifolds and risers to the newer center riser style. They weigh about half as much and perform better. If yours have any time on them you might consider replacing them...especially if the boat has had much salt water use.

I think that boat should run about 60~65 depending on load and cruise 50~55 over long distances with ease. The 302 is a great ocean boat.

Thanks for the encouraging info. I posted questions about the a
302 prior to purchase and generated a lot of positive feedback.

My 1986 must be pre updated- throttle-controls so I may change those out too. But I agree.....take it out and run it. It should be water ready in about a week. So far no major issues post survey. TRS drives look good, however one had rusted u-joint due to a boot that let water in. Wilkes Marine is making the area round again as it was poorly repaired before by someone else. The new boot should be water tight.

I want to update the swim step from the teak. Any suggestions?

As soon as I figure out how to upgrade my membership I can post photos. In the meantime, there is a 302 that appears to have just sold in Stockton, CA. A rare find on the west coast.

Look up Delta Marine Sales in Stockton. It is under used boats.

what engines? 330's or 400 cyclones? 24P 3 blades a ton of prop for a 330 boat...hope it's 400's

you can always use photobucket and it's free...easy to use.

The motors are 330. Seems like a 4 blade may lift up the rear better. But, haven't had it in the water for a baseline on everything yet.

4 blades and 330 not necessary in my opinion...

So you think 3 blade will work with the 330? Will soon find out. Jim Wilkes and I will run it at Irvine Lake in a week or so.

I think I have Photo bucket up. The rusted out trailer is gone. So here are the beginnings of the "before" photos. I will get more next week.

http://s1352.beta.photobucket.com/us...r/story/54505#

Cool boat

Thanks. Thrilled to have a formula. let the spending begin.....

No doubt. I've been spending non stop since I bought mine a year ago. The breaks of buying an older boat and having aspirations of upgrades. Lol. I love the boat though. Great ride and roomy for the family.

Don't get messed up in the head about the money...consider it "Sanity Maintenance".:evilb:

My 302 has 330's changed over to center dump manifolds and refreshed everything with 3 blade 23 pitch mirages does 62 top end at 47-4800 rpm

I figured it pretty close...LOL How big of a job was it to swap to center dump? I was amazed at the weight difference between them and the old Log type exhaust. I would not be surprised to know that changing them saves 250+ pounds on your boat.

I would not go with 4 blades. 4 blades and TRS drives is a no no. They will cause the drive to blow up. Second the drives are very deep so the extra blade is a lot of drag and more then likely make you slower. Mirage props seem to work best on them. You want smaller diameter props when you are deep in the water like TRS drives are.

The 496 take off's are a perfect upgrade for older exhaust, they are aluminum center riser, and are 4" stainless risers... you can usually get them 250-500.00 per engine..

Good point on the TRS and prop setup. Thanks! The exhaust sounds very do-able too. l

How does that center cushion in the cabin work? is that factory? would love to do that to mine. Could you send me some pictures of how it attaches and fills in?

kaama 302 is sent a pm. I will take some specific photos next time I am with the boat. I will share some of the pm for others interested.

Just below the front edge of the sofa cushions is wood trim. It looks like there are half holes routered into the top edge of the wood so they accommodate a 1/2 inch metal poles that lie horizontal and perpendicular to the length of the boat. The holes act as supports and are mirror image on the other side. There are five total each side. There is a vinyl covered board approximately the same length as the sofa seating and about 12-14 inches wide. Rectangular in shape. The cushion is wider toward the stern and narrower toward the bow. It's probably 5-6 firm foam padding covered in the same stock velour upholstery. So the poles lie across to connect the sofas, the board goes on them and the cushion on that.

The poles are aluminum so they are light and not too corrosive.

AudioFN is probably right about the props, but there are a couple of things he left out. 4 blades, at least Bravos, will increase your mid range speed significantly over a 4 blade Mirage. Also, how much stress the 4 blades make on the drive has much to do with the driver.

not a big deal, but needed to change the thermostat housings too to get rid of the octopus set up, but if u wanted to put t's in you could make the original thermostat housing work, but it would be a bit ugly tho