I have a 1998 230 overnighter with...

[Ferrari]

I have a 1998 230 overnighter with the bravo 1 and the 5.7 engine.  3 blade 28 degree pitch mirage prop (recommended for this boat) but when I get 5 to 6 adults on board i can't get out of the hole and up on plane. Very frustrating!!!   Any suggestions?

[Ollie]

Do you have trim tabs?

[Ollie]

If not, I would highly recommend them. I have them on my 05 215 Weekender, and it help tremendously getting on plane.

[Ferrari]

No Trim tabs but what about putting one of those big fins on the lower unit?

[Ferrari]

Do you think that would help?

[Ollie]

That I do not know. It is my understanding that the fins help with purposing vs. getting on plane. With tabs, by putting them down, it lifts the aft up brining the bow down allowing you to plane with less power and getting you out of the hole quicker. - Plus, you can level out if one side of the boat is heavier than the other, without having to shift people or items

[Ollie]

I'm actually surprised your size of Sea Ray doesn't have tabs

[Ferrari]

I know and trim tabs are not cheap.

[Theo]

Get it checked out at the dealership. There is no reason your boat shouldn't plane with 6 people in it. I had the same problem and took it in to an independent repair shop. They kept telling me that it was the carburetor, but it turned out that eventually the entire balancer came off the engine (Inboard-outboard OMC) and gas poured into the bilge. Very dangerous situation. Get it checked!

[Ferrari]

Thanks, I had it in the shop last year and I had a full tune up and they went through everything.. I just can't figure it out. Sounds like i will have to look into trim tabs.

[Ollie]

I can tell you this, once installed, they will probably be your favorite add-on that you've done with your boat. No more listing and plowing.

[Theo]

Ferrari, I have a 24ft. Sea Ray with a 5.7 liter engine and bravo 1 (this is not the boat which blew the balancer) and I can easily put 10 people in my boat and get up to plane with no problem. Power to spare. I do have trim tabs, but don't need them at all to get up on plane. My propeller is 14.5 x 17

[Theo]

Ferrari, I have a 24ft. Sea Ray with a 5.7 liter engine and bravo 1 (this is not the boat which blew the balancer) and I can easily put 10 people in my boat and get up to plane with no problem. Power to spare. I do have trim tabs, but don't need them at all to get up on plane. My propeller is 14.5 x 17. I doubt that your problem is a lack of trim tabs.

[Ferrari]

Perhaps I need to find a prop to try out and see if that makes a difference. My Parents have a 26 sundancer with a 5.3 and trim tabs and they don't have any problems. But with the power plant I have, I should be jumping out of the water. Thanks

[Ollie]

That may help Ferrari, but you want to be careful and not over rpm your engine. In my opinion, I would stick with the pitch your 230 recommends.

[Ferrari]

I am aware of that possibility... But thanks for the reminder and your opinion... I value it greatly.

[Still_Here]

Hi, I'd switch to a four blade and go down to a 24 degree pitch.

[Ferrari]

Thanks, I'll see if I can find one to test out before purchasing.

[Charley]

Ferrari. I have the open bow version of your boat (230 BR) powered by a 5.7 EFI/Alpha 1. The out drive gear ratio is 1:47:1. I have owned it since new. The original equipment propeller for my boat is a 17" Vengeance (stainless). Lightly loaded my 5.7 EFI will turn 4,800 RPM (top of the wot range) and run about 48 mph. I have never had an issue getting on plane ecven when heavily loaded. Bravo Ones are typically geared with a drive ratio of 1:5:1. You can find the ratio on the outdrive decal. If this is the case, a propeller in the 17" - 19" pitch range would be the correct propeller. Also, Sea Ray generally paired the 5.7 with an Alpha 1 or Bravo 3. The 7.4 came with a Bravo One or Bravo 3. One other suggestion would be to contact Sea Ray customer service and ask them what drive/propeller combo your boat was delivered with. You'll need your hull ID number.

[Ferrari]

Great info...thanks