1st Weekend With The 31 - Impressions
#1
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1st Weekend With The 31 - Impressions
We got to use the new boat for the first time this weekend and man what a difference over my old Baja 26 Outlaw ! The boat performed GREAT ! We overnighted on it Saturday night and the cabin is like a small condo compared to the Outlaw ! The electric head and fridge made my wife very happy. Just a couple of impressions that maybe some of you guys could comment on:
1. In a small chop (1-2') the boat really tends to "porpoise" in the 3,000 - 3,500 RPM range. I had to really mash the trim tabs down to get it to somewhat settle out. At about 4,000 RPM the "porposing" eases and I was able to raise the tabs.
2. After a 4 or 5 hour raft up (no radio playing or fridge running) the port engine would not crank on it's own battery. I had to set the battery switches to "both" to get it to start. I think the dealer left the orginal 2007 batteries in the boat which I am going to change out this week, but I still question how long can you sit with the stereo and fridge running and still have enough power to start the engines ?
3. She does love to drink fuel ! Per the GPS we ran 171 miles and burned about 140 gallons of fuel (about 1.22 mpg). Most of the runtime was between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM, with a couple of WOT bursts just to see what she can do !
4. There is no 12V outlet in the boat to plug in cell phone charger / handheld GPS etc. ?
Any guidance on what size / make batteries you guys are using to optimize max battery life ?
Thanks,
Steve
1. In a small chop (1-2') the boat really tends to "porpoise" in the 3,000 - 3,500 RPM range. I had to really mash the trim tabs down to get it to somewhat settle out. At about 4,000 RPM the "porposing" eases and I was able to raise the tabs.
2. After a 4 or 5 hour raft up (no radio playing or fridge running) the port engine would not crank on it's own battery. I had to set the battery switches to "both" to get it to start. I think the dealer left the orginal 2007 batteries in the boat which I am going to change out this week, but I still question how long can you sit with the stereo and fridge running and still have enough power to start the engines ?
3. She does love to drink fuel ! Per the GPS we ran 171 miles and burned about 140 gallons of fuel (about 1.22 mpg). Most of the runtime was between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM, with a couple of WOT bursts just to see what she can do !
4. There is no 12V outlet in the boat to plug in cell phone charger / handheld GPS etc. ?
Any guidance on what size / make batteries you guys are using to optimize max battery life ?
Thanks,
Steve
#2
We got to use the new boat for the first time this weekend and man what a difference over my old Baja 26 Outlaw ! The boat performed GREAT ! We overnighted on it Saturday night and the cabin is like a small condo compared to the Outlaw ! The electric head and fridge made my wife very happy. Just a couple of impressions that maybe some of you guys could comment on:
1. In a small chop (1-2') the boat really tends to "porpoise" in the 3,000 - 3,500 RPM range. I had to really mash the trim tabs down to get it to somewhat settle out. At about 4,000 RPM the "porposing" eases and I was able to raise the tabs.
2. After a 4 or 5 hour raft up (no radio playing or fridge running) the port engine would not crank on it's own battery. I had to set the battery switches to "both" to get it to start. I think the dealer left the orginal 2007 batteries in the boat which I am going to change out this week, but I still question how long can you sit with the stereo and fridge running and still have enough power to start the engines ?
3. She does love to drink fuel ! Per the GPS we ran 171 miles and burned about 140 gallons of fuel (about 1.22 mpg). Most of the runtime was between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM, with a couple of WOT bursts just to see what she can do !
4. There is no 12V outlet in the boat to plug in cell phone charger / handheld GPS etc. ?
Any guidance on what size / make batteries you guys are using to optimize max battery life ?
Thanks,
Steve
1. In a small chop (1-2') the boat really tends to "porpoise" in the 3,000 - 3,500 RPM range. I had to really mash the trim tabs down to get it to somewhat settle out. At about 4,000 RPM the "porposing" eases and I was able to raise the tabs.
2. After a 4 or 5 hour raft up (no radio playing or fridge running) the port engine would not crank on it's own battery. I had to set the battery switches to "both" to get it to start. I think the dealer left the orginal 2007 batteries in the boat which I am going to change out this week, but I still question how long can you sit with the stereo and fridge running and still have enough power to start the engines ?
3. She does love to drink fuel ! Per the GPS we ran 171 miles and burned about 140 gallons of fuel (about 1.22 mpg). Most of the runtime was between 3,000 and 4,000 RPM, with a couple of WOT bursts just to see what she can do !
4. There is no 12V outlet in the boat to plug in cell phone charger / handheld GPS etc. ?
Any guidance on what size / make batteries you guys are using to optimize max battery life ?
Thanks,
Steve
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Look in to getting either the BEP battery cluster(http://www.bepmarine.com/home-mainme...ry-40/clusters) or the Blue seas add a battery(http://bluesea.com/category/1/productline/overview/329). They are essentially isolators. Starting batteries have their own circuit and electronics and accessories have their own battery. Should alleviate weak battery for starting
#4
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This is odd as other 31's are getting 1.7 to 1.8 MPG. Are you getting a lot of soot on the transom? Are you running 87 octane? That's what the HO's are designed to run. Higher octane will actually hurt your performance and create excess soot. You might also check that your ECM has the latest program.
#5
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Steve, yes unfortunately there is no 12V outlet...wish there was.
If you don't have already, get some drive showers on your outdrives. Makes a big difference.
If you don't have already, get some drive showers on your outdrives. Makes a big difference.
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I have an 02 31 and leave my tabs in the "neutral" position #6 on gauges this allow the tabs to be even with the bottom of the boat , i can stay on plane at 2500-2800 rpm , i honestly don't see the porposieing your talking about and run 26p bravo1 4 blades and occasional 28p bravo1 labbed finished props, could it be your newer boat had the "x" dimension changed ?
#7
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Mines a 03 and has a 12v by the steering wheel. Im in Destin, FL this week and took her out in the gulf love the ride, get in some big water you will appreciate her!
#8
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Steve it was great to meet you and your wife this weekend. Look forward to seeing you all out on the water more. I have a few questions about the porpoise.
Does the boat porpoise at low speeds in flat water?
What speeds were you doing from 3000 to 4000 RPMS?
Is neutral marked on you indicators for drives and tabs?
I have some ideas if you want to talk.
Boat looks great and good luck with her!!!!!
Does the boat porpoise at low speeds in flat water?
What speeds were you doing from 3000 to 4000 RPMS?
Is neutral marked on you indicators for drives and tabs?
I have some ideas if you want to talk.
Boat looks great and good luck with her!!!!!
#9
Platinum Member
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A 12 volt outlet or 2 is an easy upgrade, there probably is a 12 volt power strip behind the passenger dash panel. You can put one in the cabin/galley and run the wires from that power strip. You can add another one in the cockpit either to the left of the cooler as the dash slopes back (out of the rain) or is there room under the cup holder, can't remember what your boat was set-up like. You could add one like Jim Diesel's under the streering wheel but I think that's a busy place, my AT has on there also. What did you see for speed, when I ran the boat it was a thunderstorm and the water was flat! Ask Don Hunter about that day! Steve
#10
You shouldn't need the tabs unless in big water (4'+). You are either over trimming (they don't like much until around 50mph) or running 3 blades.
The 12v outlet is cheap and easy to add.
The fridge is a huge draw on a battery. If I remember right I had figured 5-6 hours of continuous operation per battery (no off cycle) so how long a battery lasts will depend on the setting you have the fridge on and outside temps, which will determine the duty cycle.
Your boat looks great. Wait until you play in some rough water, you will really see the difference between a Sonic and a Baja.
The 12v outlet is cheap and easy to add.
The fridge is a huge draw on a battery. If I remember right I had figured 5-6 hours of continuous operation per battery (no off cycle) so how long a battery lasts will depend on the setting you have the fridge on and outside temps, which will determine the duty cycle.
Your boat looks great. Wait until you play in some rough water, you will really see the difference between a Sonic and a Baja.
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