Hi, I have a 88 Four Winns Liberator 211 with a 350 omc cobra drive. (Says king cobra on the hydraulic arms but doesnt have the distinct hump) A few years back when I originally purchased the boat it would run around 4600rpm-4700rpm at 57mph using a 14x3/4 SST stainless prop. Now on a freshly built motor running tbe same prop im only getting 4400rpm at 48mph. This is quite frusterating, and it comes out of the hole the same which I think it has a good hole shot. I talked to my engine builder and he said I should be able to run around 4700rpm-4800rpm. Below is some more info on my set-up if at all interested. The outdrive was rebuilt 2 years ago with the heavy duty gears, stock ratio still.


On a tired motor last summer I got a good deal on a weiand 142 blower and decided to put it on, knowing my motor was tired, I knew it wouldnt last long. After a couple hard test runs with the blower I blew a head gasket. I pulled the motor and had it mildly built by a well known local engine builder. Its bored 30over, has a mild cam that matches my edelbrock aluminum heads and intake, msd distributor and coil along with a new edelbrock 600 carb topped with a marine k&n air filter. Timing is set at 12º advanced and 37º total timing.

Thank you for your time and I'm looking forward to your suggestions

Your first motor must have been warmed up a bit, 211s don't run 57 with stock 350s

Trust me I owned one...

It had a mild cam, the same aluminum heads and intake and that was it. It went 57mph consistantly with 2-3ppl in the boat on a garmin gps. My father and I got to meet the Winn brothers back 3-4 years ago, one was handicapped from a snowmobile accident and lived a few citys away from me (he passed away a year or two ago), the other was up from down south and went for a ride with my father and I on my boat, he was saying that stock from the factory it should go 55mph.

Question . Was your engine builder a car guy ? Not trying to be smart but this happens a lot with parts being mismatched for marine duty . Your timing should be 34* total . Take the K&N off and see if it picks up . I like mechanical secondary carbs for marine duty .

Yes he is a car guy. He only works on rare vintage race cars and one of a kind cars as he used to race his numbers matching shelby cobra. He does anything from engine rebuilds to full restoration. My father has know him for over 20yrs. I had many conversations with him about my motor and I am confident he did the research and built my motor with the correct parts for the application it is being used for but I could be completly wrong too. im open to any and all ideas, suggestions, and questions.

Mechanical secondary carbs? I should note that the carb is new with the rebuild, its not the original carb that was on the tired motor.

Kyle , you would be better served to post your question in the Technical section under General Questions . List specifics like head type , cam specs and what exhaust is on your engine . Yes , what works well in a car will not work in a boat . I have been down that road with my old 88' Four Winns 210 Horizon . Ended up building a 383ci stroker for it . Anyway lots of experienced guys hang in that section to answer your questions .

ok, I will post it in that section tomorrow. Thank you for you help and replies!!

You're welcome .