Hi everyone im new to boating and I just purchased my first boat. Its a 1985 220 sport Baja with the 260 hp 350 v8 mercruiser with a gen 1 alpha 1 sterndrive. What should I expect for speed with low weight in the boat? According to the original speedo im only running 40 at 4500 wot that seems low. I have a 19p merc mirage stainless prop installed.

Its been a long time but you should be able to hit 55-58mph with that boat/engine depending on your prop. (so 40mph is way low) But I must clearify that was without GPS but 40 is still way low. Sorry, I can't remember what prop works best. Congrats on purchase.

We had a 220 with a 365hp 454/Alpha & we ran a little propeller on it. 19P 3 blade...I want to say Mirage, but that doesn't sound right. Anyway, it ran 65mph.
That motor should spin 5000 rpm I think & I'd say you should see 60mph or more with it all dialed in.

I don't want to sound arrogant, but you are trimming the drive up once your on plane aren't you?

Oh its trimmed up just had to replace the switches on the sterndrive.

that boat is a 60mph boat speedo is wrong. those gauges were bad junk i replace mine

When we purchased our Baja, it came with a 19, and we were getting similar numbers...mph was matched with rpms...ie 3000 rpms at 30 mph. Was hitting around 5500 rpms + at wot with no rev limiter. I gradually stepped up to a larger 21 pitch, which gave me 55 mph at 5000 rpms and could still get 5500 easily. Went to a mirage plus 23 and what a difference. I can turn just under 5000 rpms on a relatively smooth day and get mid 60's.

I am surprised to here that you are only turning 4500 at wot with a 19. Is your timing spot on?

I have not checked my timing yet but im sure it could use some adjustment I will be checking it soon when I have some free time.

According to merc, this engine has a 4200-4600 rpm range, 260 crank hp and 230 prop hp so I would say that it's not far off rpm wise. But 4500 rpm's a 1.5 gear, a 19" prop, and a slip of 12%(guesstimate) is 48 mph, and that sounds too low, even with 260 hp. I just can't imagine 60+ with that power, more like 55 as a normal number. You will need to get gps speeds for sure. An old pitot can show just about anything. What condition is your prop and bottom in?

Now for the mid 60 as in a 64-66 mph 22' Baja with a 260 hp motor

I call on this one.

Well my prop isnt perfect but its far from needing to be replaced. I might try to smooth it out a little and see if that helps at all. My boat itself is in very good condition. I will gps it for sure next time I take it out.