2017 Yamaha - loss of Speed

Hilldale · Sep 17, 2017

I purchased a 2017 Yamaha 242 Limited S this year. At the beginning of the season, I was able to run it all out on relatively flat water and hit 48 MPH. I have recently been on some relatively flat water and went all out and I was only able to hit 37 MPH. Is this normal as the season wears on - to loose some of the speed? Is it just that this boat needs to be tuned on a regular basis?
Any thoughts are helpful.
Thanks

djetok · Sep 17, 2017

Hilldale said:
I purchased a 2017 Yamaha 242 Limited S this year. At the beginning of the season, I was able to run it all out on relatively flat water and hit 48 MPH. I have recently been on some relatively flat water and went all out and I was only able to hit 37 MPH. Is this normal as the season wears on - to loose some of the speed? Is it just that this boat needs to be tuned on a regular basis?
Any thoughts are helpful.
Thanks

Do you store your boat wet at the marina?

GTBRMC · Sep 17, 2017

Hilldale said:
I purchased a 2017 Yamaha 242 Limited S this year. At the beginning of the season, I was able to run it all out on relatively flat water and hit 48 MPH. I have recently been on some relatively flat water and went all out and I was only able to hit 37 MPH. Is this normal as the season wears on - to loose some of the speed? Is it just that this boat needs to be tuned on a regular basis?
Any thoughts are helpful.
Thanks

Were the two runs you reference on the same lake (and, therefore, the same altitude)?
- if at two different altitude, that could explain it - your engines will output less power at higher altitudes

Has your boat been stored in the water?
- boats without antifouling paint below the waterline that are stored in the water will experience marine growth that can significantly reduce speed due to increased drag

Julian · Sep 17, 2017

As others have said....if it is wet slipped in a southern state, then the crap on the bottom is what is slowing you down. Also, as the season goes on, you pile more and more "stuff" into the boat, weighing it down....but the bottom crap is the real slow down source.

If you don't wet slip, then we need to look at the pumps for damage or cavitation.

Hilldale · Sep 18, 2017

Yea, I do store it wet at the Marina. I am in Northeast PA. Have been on the same lake. I thought about the weight in the boat but actually early in the season, I had a few more people on the boat( more weight ). When I was swimming off the Boat, I did notice the bottom of the boat has amassed quite a bit of Crud from the lake - maybe this is my issue? Just seems to be such a significant drop in speed. I also checked the RPMs and I am still hitting just shy of 8,000 - this tells me that it is something causing drag on the boat - maybe the bottom crud?
I am pulling the boat out for the season and taking it for service in a few weeks so I will also see what the dealer says?
Thanks

Hilldale · Sep 18, 2017

Hilldale said:
Yea, I do store it wet at the Marina. I am in Northeast PA. Have been on the same lake. I thought about the weight in the boat but actually early in the season, I had a few more people on the boat( more weight ). When I was swimming off the Boat, I did notice the bottom of the boat has amassed quite a bit of Crud from the lake - maybe this is my issue? Just seems to be such a significant drop in speed. I also checked the RPMs and I am still hitting just shy of 8,000 - this tells me that it is something causing drag on the boat - maybe the bottom crud?
I am pulling the boat out for the season and taking it for service in a few weeks so I will also see what the dealer says?
Thanks

I never thought that the crud on the bottom would cause a significant amount of drag on the Boat. I guess I need to retake that Physics class.

Julian · Sep 18, 2017

Hilldale said:
I never thought that the crud on the bottom would cause a significant amount of drag on the Boat. I guess I need to retake that Physics class.

Yup....this is why I bought an airdock! With my SX230, after 2 months on the water my top speed would drop from 50ish to 35! Initially I thought to myself....well I'm not a speed demon, so what does it matter, but then I realized that to do 30 mph, I was having to run WAY higher RPMs, so I was burning through a lot more gas! My quick analysis of gas costs and cleaning costs (I was paying the marina to clean the boat once or twice a year at $13/foot) vs the airdock, had the airdock paying for itself in 4-5 years (not to mention it helped my OCD about driving a filthy boat! LOL)

Clean your bottom.....your wallet will be happy

Hilldale · Sep 18, 2017

Yes, the Gas has also been an issue. I would fill up and then 1 run down the lake and I was down 10 gallons. I thought I was going to have to start buying Oil company stocks to hedge my Gas costs.

Pulling the boat out a few times a summer and hitting it with the power washer seems to be a simple solution. I am also going to look to see if there is anything I can put on the bottom to resist the build up - Sealer, Wax, etc.........

Thanks

swatski · Sep 18, 2017

Hilldale said:
Yes, the Gas has also been an issue. I would fill up and then 1 run down the lake and I was down 10 gallons. I thought I was going to have to start buying Oil company stocks to hedge my Gas costs.

Pulling the boat out a few times a summer and hitting it with the power washer seems to be a simple solution. I am also going to look to see if there is anything I can put on the bottom to resist the build up - Sealer, Wax, etc.........

Thanks

I would not use power washer on my hull under any circumstances. I would use hull cleaner with oxalic acid such as Star Brite or any other brand.
After good wash and rinse - quality wax such as Meguire's Flagship. I would use cleaner wax, my go to these days is Klasse All-in-one. It is phenomenal. It will definitely help keep the hull clean and slow the buildup.

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adrianp89 · Sep 18, 2017

I use a low-powered Power Washer (1600psi) to wash it after every outing.... no issues here.

swatski · Sep 18, 2017

adrianp89 said:
I use a low-powered Power Washer (1600psi) to wash it after every outing.... no issues here.

You won't cause any (visible) damage but will open micro pores in gel coat. If not re-sealed, the problem with hull dirtying is going to get worse overtime, quickly.
It is the same with using any abrasive cleaning treatment - the results may look great immediately after, but long term maintenance can be an issue. Sure you can restore gel coat with a polisher once in a while but you can do it only so many times. (with Yamaha thin gel coat it maybe - one time?)

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Cobra Jet Steering LLC · Sep 18, 2017

did you G P S your actual speed? some speedo readings can be inacurate

Hilldale · Sep 18, 2017

I get the comment on the Power washer Gelcoat but, a low pressure like Swatski notes is what I was thinking. Also, would consider using a sealer. Being new to Gelcoat, I assume that there is a sealer that can be used - like sealer for a paint finish on a car. I use an auto detailer and he puts on a sealer that he claims lasts about 6 months.

I did not GPS the actual speed but I can tell you that it even clearly feels slow from where it was.

It just seems to be good practice to clean the Hull on a regular basis. If for nothing more but to cut down on using gas.

swatski · Sep 19, 2017

Hilldale said:
Also, would consider using a sealer. Being new to Gelcoat, I assume that there is a sealer that can be used - like sealer for a paint finish on a car.

I don't have any experience with dedicated gel coat sealants, but a good wax will do.
I find myself completely hooked on Klasse and unable to switch back. Kind of sad, lol, but I find it to be the easiest wax to apply - mostly because it goes well on any trim as well, and it gives me superb and lasting results.

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djetok · Sep 19, 2017

@Hilldale
https://jetboaters.net/threads/another-nasty-boat-not-with-rejex.3598/

https://jetboaters.net/threads/rejex.14759/

Dave burke · Sep 25, 2017

I was wondering why I was having a similar problem. My 2017 212X topped out at 51 mph after the break in period and now it won't go past 44 mph. I wet store it at my cottage in northern NY. I think you all have solved my problem so thanks.

Related question - I had a Chaparral stern drive for 20 years, wet stored on the same lake and it lost a bit of speed over the years but nothing thus dramatic. Is the issue worse with jet boats?

CraigAR · Sep 25, 2017

Ceramic Pro will do the trick. It's pricey but well worth it. I just rinse off the boat with water and flush the engines. It was hard for me to capture the shine on the white hull but here's a pic i just took.

swatski · Sep 25, 2017

CraigAR said:
Ceramic Pro will do the trick. It's pricey but well worth it. I just rinse off the boat with water and flush the engines. It was hard for me to capture the shine on the white hull but here's a pic i just took.
View attachment 64526

How does it compare to a premium wax or something like Rejex? I've been curious about both Rejex and ceramic thingy, never used either but kind of want to try.

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CraigAR · Sep 25, 2017

swatski said:
How does it compare to a premium wax or something like Rejex? I've been curious about both Rejex and ceramic thingy, never used either but kind of want to try.

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Never tried rejex on any of my boats but I'm really digging this ceramic pro marine. I have logged 30 hours so far and clean up has been a breeze. All boating done in salt water. I just take out the boat and rinse it off with a hose. Once air dried there are no spots or salt residue left on the boat. Typically with a good wax I would wash the boat with salt away then wash it again with soap air dry and a speed detail wax. It has saved me so much time. Only downfall is i dont think it's available to purchase. I had my boat done by a certified installer the day i picked it up from the dealer.

swatski · Sep 25, 2017

CraigAR said:
Only downfall is i dont think it's available to purchase.

I saw Jerry pushing a ceramic coating on his greenhulk site earlier this year, but I wasn't sure what to think of it.

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2017 Yamaha - loss of Speed

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