When I hit the throttle to get the boat up on plane, I look back and see what appears to be puffs of light smoke out my thru-hull exhaust. Boat is a Baja 25 Outlaw and 496MAG w/ 15 hours on it. I was easy on the engine during break-in and am wondering if I should be concerned with what I am seeing. Oil was changed prior to delivery from dealer earlier this year but boat sat for 1 1/2 months before first splash. Any thoughts/suggestions? Thanks!

Sounds like normal steam that you are seeing. The river/ocean water is still really cold + comming out of your hot exhaust = steam. If it evaporates right away then it's steam.....if it goes up into the air in a cloud then it's smoke.

You should also notice it a bit of steam at idle speeds if you pay attention.

hi-perf-2000,

thanks for your input...i appreciate it i was out in the Potomac River this weekend and the water was still really cold...now that i think back i do remember that whatever i saw evaporated quickly near the back of the boat...whew, no worries here then...

racing_fan

I have the same boat, same motor(mine's HO, though) and I see the same thing. I was told this is normal especially in colder temps.

Baja Daze,

How do you like your Outlaw? I've had mine for a few months now and I really like the boat. What do you think of the 496MAG engines? I don't have the HO but mine still kicks in pretty well in the midrange when I want to accelerate after getting on plane. Do you have Bennett tabs? My only wish is that they would react a bit faster. Take care!

Racing_Fan

Just this past weekend Mrs Outlaw pointed to a boat and asked me why it was "smoking". It's just steam Honey.

Race Fan,
I haven't seen you around yet, so WELCOME to the board!

Thanks for asking, I love the boat and have not one complaint. It's everything I could expect from a 25' boat(all 4750# of her - makes for a nice ride)

I do not have Bennets, I have the dual ram insta-trims supplied as standard equipment. They're helpful when I have a large load or if I want to quiet the obnoxious guests on rough days, but I don't use them much.

The 496(both versions) are excellent motors and truly represent the next generation in engine and electronic monitoring and management. I understand the HP3(now in testing, aka the 496HO-HO) is going to a smokin' alternative coming soon.

Take care and see you around!

Baja Daze,

Thanks for the welcome message! I like the ride of my Baja too.
I have the dual-ram insta-trim tabs too...I guess I don't have Bennett's then...oops!

I like the 496 because it's EFI, idles great, and never misses a beat. I can't wait to see some final numbers for that new HP3 package!
See ya!

Racing_Fan