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Author Topic:   Honda 130

jimmyinsc posted 08-20-2007 06:15 PM ET (US)
I recently bought a 2001 18 Dauntless with a 130 Honda. It is my first boat since my 1996 Dauntless 17 with a two-stroke 115. It seems like this boat is much slower. It doesn't jump out of the hole like my old one and has to work like crazy to get a slalom skiier up. Any comments?
Perry posted 08-20-2007 07:29 PM ET (US)
Try using a prop with less pitch.
Tohsgib posted 08-22-2007 12:13 PM ET (US)
Having a 505lb engine on the stern makes for a slower holeshot, plus that 18 is much heavier than a 17 with 15 lesshp it is going to be much slower. I would have one prop for skiing and one for cruising.
SaintGeorge posted 08-22-2007 09:17 PM ET (US)
Four stroke motors--- all things being equal--- have quite a bit less lower rpm power than 2 stroke motors.
On the Merc designed Verado series, they use a supercharger to boost the power at that low to mid-low rpm range. It works, but costs more to build than conventional engines.
Using a prop that gets you to the top of the allowed RPM range at full throttle will give you the best chance at low-end "pick-up". Because the maximum horsepower is generally at the midrange of the "minimum and maximum full throttle rpm" you might improve low end acceleration, but reduce top speed.
There are more sophisticated trials you can do, with prop design, vented props, diameters, number of blades, and so on. It might take a while to sort it all out, and the gain might still disapoint. Overall, the conventional 4 cycle motors will not accelerate like a two-cycle motor. Top speeds should be similar though.
I think that the 130 Honda will fit the entire Mercury prop line, from basic aluminum to five-blade stainless steel. So you have a lot of options to work with if you are so inclined.
Tonym posted 08-22-2007 09:52 PM ET (US)
Jimmy,
I own an 18 foot raider with a Honda 130 hp and a 9.9 hp kicker. I really like the reliability of the engine but it is slow (and my rig is heavy!). I am still in the prop selection phase with this boat but you might find that switching to a lower pitch might help your acceleration. You may want to try a 4 blade if you can borrow one. I have used a 13 X 15 pitch 4 blade aluminum Solas which was not bad. I just recently bought a PowerTech 13 X 14 pitch 4 blade stainless which I have not had the opportunity to try yet. I believe your prop choices are limited to a maximum diameter of 13.75 inches and a minimum of 13 inches. Ultimately I think you will find the 130 hp Honda is not a good match for a ski boat.
Tonym
jimmyinsc posted 08-23-2007 09:05 AM ET (US)
Thanks for all the great replies. I am a rookie to this site, but the depth of knowledge of the respondents is incredible. I am now in the testing phase. I have identified that my rig has a 13 1/4 x 15 Rapture SS 3-blade prop that replaced the factory aluminum prop. My next test is a WOT rpm and speed check. In my past two outings, I noticed that this Honda revs up past 6000.
Tohsgib posted 08-23-2007 12:26 PM ET (US)
All Honda engines past a certain hp(40?) come with polished SS props standard, at least they did in 01 when I was shopping. If you will break redline then you want to keep that as a ski prop or maybe slightly smaller and get a slightly bigger one for cruising. Or have one worked at a prop shop for $50 or so.
jimmyinsc posted 08-30-2007 09:08 AM ET (US)
Tested the boat yesterday. Clear weather, smooth lake, me and 40 gallons of fuel, WOT was 5800 RPM and speed on the GPS said 35 knots, which I guess is what, 38 mph?. I guess thats all you get out of a 130 on this Dauntless 18 hull.
jimh posted 08-30-2007 09:20 AM ET (US)
Please use statute miles per hour for speed unless you are involved in making a long ocean voyage of several thousand miles. The conversion factor is simple to recall; just use the ratio of the distances: 5280:6076.
Perry posted 08-30-2007 01:08 PM ET (US)
35 X 1.15 = 40.25 MPH

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Author	Topic: Honda 130
jimmyinsc	posted 08-20-2007 06:15 PM ET (US) I recently bought a 2001 18 Dauntless with a 130 Honda. It is my first boat since my 1996 Dauntless 17 with a two-stroke 115. It seems like this boat is much slower. It doesn't jump out of the hole like my old one and has to work like crazy to get a slalom skiier up. Any comments?
Perry	posted 08-20-2007 07:29 PM ET (US) Try using a prop with less pitch.
Tohsgib	posted 08-22-2007 12:13 PM ET (US) Having a 505lb engine on the stern makes for a slower holeshot, plus that 18 is much heavier than a 17 with 15 lesshp it is going to be much slower. I would have one prop for skiing and one for cruising.
SaintGeorge	posted 08-22-2007 09:17 PM ET (US) Four stroke motors--- all things being equal--- have quite a bit less lower rpm power than 2 stroke motors. On the Merc designed Verado series, they use a supercharger to boost the power at that low to mid-low rpm range. It works, but costs more to build than conventional engines. Using a prop that gets you to the top of the allowed RPM range at full throttle will give you the best chance at low-end "pick-up". Because the maximum horsepower is generally at the midrange of the "minimum and maximum full throttle rpm" you might improve low end acceleration, but reduce top speed. There are more sophisticated trials you can do, with prop design, vented props, diameters, number of blades, and so on. It might take a while to sort it all out, and the gain might still disapoint. Overall, the conventional 4 cycle motors will not accelerate like a two-cycle motor. Top speeds should be similar though. I think that the 130 Honda will fit the entire Mercury prop line, from basic aluminum to five-blade stainless steel. So you have a lot of options to work with if you are so inclined.
Tonym	posted 08-22-2007 09:52 PM ET (US) Jimmy, I own an 18 foot raider with a Honda 130 hp and a 9.9 hp kicker. I really like the reliability of the engine but it is slow (and my rig is heavy!). I am still in the prop selection phase with this boat but you might find that switching to a lower pitch might help your acceleration. You may want to try a 4 blade if you can borrow one. I have used a 13 X 15 pitch 4 blade aluminum Solas which was not bad. I just recently bought a PowerTech 13 X 14 pitch 4 blade stainless which I have not had the opportunity to try yet. I believe your prop choices are limited to a maximum diameter of 13.75 inches and a minimum of 13 inches. Ultimately I think you will find the 130 hp Honda is not a good match for a ski boat. Tonym
jimmyinsc	posted 08-23-2007 09:05 AM ET (US) Thanks for all the great replies. I am a rookie to this site, but the depth of knowledge of the respondents is incredible. I am now in the testing phase. I have identified that my rig has a 13 1/4 x 15 Rapture SS 3-blade prop that replaced the factory aluminum prop. My next test is a WOT rpm and speed check. In my past two outings, I noticed that this Honda revs up past 6000.
Tohsgib	posted 08-23-2007 12:26 PM ET (US) All Honda engines past a certain hp(40?) come with polished SS props standard, at least they did in 01 when I was shopping. If you will break redline then you want to keep that as a ski prop or maybe slightly smaller and get a slightly bigger one for cruising. Or have one worked at a prop shop for $50 or so.
jimmyinsc	posted 08-30-2007 09:08 AM ET (US) Tested the boat yesterday. Clear weather, smooth lake, me and 40 gallons of fuel, WOT was 5800 RPM and speed on the GPS said 35 knots, which I guess is what, 38 mph?. I guess thats all you get out of a 130 on this Dauntless 18 hull.
jimh	posted 08-30-2007 09:20 AM ET (US) Please use statute miles per hour for speed unless you are involved in making a long ocean voyage of several thousand miles. The conversion factor is simple to recall; just use the ratio of the distances: 5280:6076.
Perry	posted 08-30-2007 01:08 PM ET (US) 35 X 1.15 = 40.25 MPH