33 Lightning prop question
 

I just picked up a 2009 33 Lightning last week, I love the boat handles great.

However before I paid for the boat I hooked up a computer and could not help but notice with 270 hours approx on each engine the boat had never been above 4500 RPM, I thought that was odd then I got it home and ran it hard and I cannot get above 4300-4400 RPM and approx.73ish or so.
Boat currently has 32 Bravo one props, pretty big wheels.
What props are you other 33 owners running and speeds ect.

Thank you

Here is some info on your boat. You can find out what props it was delivered with by calling Fountain HQ and asking for the performance report, have your HIN ready. https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/fountain-33-lightning/

Thank you I will reach out to Fountain tomorrow.

I assume it is a 496 ho boat. I believe Fountain put 32 Bravo's on x drives on those models. Instead of running a standard 1.5 gear ratio they went with a 1.65 ratio which would explain why the boat would run 80 with 32's. Did someone rebuild or put new drivers on your boat? If so, did they put 1.5 gears in them?

Yes 496's that is great info. I am going to check into the drives and find out. Thank you

Propellers
 

Hi there, I have the same boat and set up exactly, you should be seeing 80+ mph, with drives around 5-5.5
make sure your engines are get 100% throttle by check the throttle bodies and also check them on scan tool

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...48d98a9e9.jpeg
here is a 2009 performance report, I have a 2008 and they used a different setup

this is my 2008 performance report

Sorry, I just saw your performance report. It answers my question

forward bilge question
 

can either of you tell me of the stringer below the cabin step has a passage or hole allowing water to get from the starboard side to the port side where the bilge pump is? Post a picture? My boat had a bad stringer there and when repaired i think they forgot to make a passage.
Thanks