merc 3.0 stalls

[jt3kids]

Hey NB. why up the T-stat to 165?. just curious. original equipment is 130. thanks, Jim

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

Hey NB. why up the T-stat to 165?. just curious. original equipment is 130. thanks, Jim

RAW water cooled boats run in salt water are usually run with a low temp T-Stat..say 140 because if you run them hotter than that (ie Raw Water Cooled) you will likely Salt Up the cooling passages in the engine which is not good.

MANY people with boats used in salt water order the boat NEW with Closed Cooling...or retrofit it soon afterward. This system is also pressurized like your car, and can run hotter without boiling the coolant. The cost used to be something like $2K or more. The engine never sees salt water....just fresh water and anti freeze in the block. There is a heat exchanger to get rid of the heat.

ALL this allows the engine to run hotter which is MUCH more efficient..AND Best of all...the engine will not wear out nearly as fast as running it COLD. Your modern automobile typically runs at 187-190 degrees F.

If your boat came with a 130* T-Stat, it may have been originally sold by a dealer near salt water.

My 1986 Mercruiser V8 is run in salt AND fresh water with a 165* T-Stat. HOWEVER: After each salt water use, the boat is hauled out on the trailer and the system is Flushed with fresh water. The boat never stays overnight in salt water.

Having the Luxury of running your boat in fresh water ALL or most of the time, it just seems logical to take advantage of that. NB

[jt3kids]

Thanks all. Just got back from vacation. The boat ran fine the rest of the week. mornings, and early evenings where the best for the little old boat. Kids still had a good time though. we got down to Alton sand bar, and up to Meredith. Didn't travel across the lake though. Maybe next year. My son was impressed with all the Formulas, Baja's, Cigarette boats. I posted a new thread on another post, but any Ideas on an upgrade for next year? I can sell mine for about 2800, and I'd invest about 5000. What can I get for about 8000, that is small enough to tow to a local lake, but also handle Winnipesaukee? Possibly a bowrider that can handle about 8 people? Thanks for any advice.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

Thanks all. Just got back from vacation. The boat ran fine the rest of the week. mornings, and early evenings where the best for the little old boat. Kids still had a good time though. we got down to Alton sand bar, and up to Meredith. Didn't travel across the lake though. Maybe next year. My son was impressed with all the Formulas, Baja's, Cigarette boats. I posted a new thread on another post, but any Ideas on an upgrade for next year? I can sell mine for about 2800, and I'd invest about 5000. What can I get for about 8000, that is small enough to tow to a local lake, but also handle Winnipesaukee? Possibly a bowrider that can handle about 8 people? Thanks for any advice.

I went for a spin on Winni in a 2004 Glastron 195 on Friday. Handled the wake chop pretty nicely. I imagine a 19 foot boat would be in your price range, OK for much of the lake on decent weather/low boat volume days, and still be easily trailered. Wait until after Labor day for the best prices. For the rougher days, 23 feet is about the minimum you could operate on-plane most of the time. That size represents a big jump in tow vehicle requirements and price though.