idle speed

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  • chris196
    • Mar 2007
    • 223


    #1

    idle speed

    I have a 98 196 with a GT-40. As far as I know it has the original 4 blade prop. Not actually sure about specs on it. It idles at about 800 rpm. I find the forward idle speed to be a bit fast. Not from an rpm standpoint, but from a forward motion prespective. It makes slow speed maneuvers in tight spaces more difficult.
    I'm coming from an I/O so I'm still getting used to the inboard handling. I like it better in open water, but the I/O was easier to handle around a dock.
    So, is this normal? I can't measure the forward speed in idle, it just feels a little fast compared to the I/Os I've driven. Looking for others experience.
    Thanks.
    Tags: None
  • Rick
    1,000 Post Club Member
    • Mar 2004
    • 1250

    • San Diego, Ca

    • 1962 Keaton Utility. 2000 Ski 1965 Barracuda
    #2
    RE: idle speed

    MY 2000SN idles at 600-800 rpm. It is a little fast but sometimes it takes that to keep steerage in an inboard. You will find that the old hands shift in and out of gear maneuvering at low speeds to keep steerage.
    Nautiqueless in San Diego

    Comment

    • chris196
      • Mar 2007
      • 223


      #3
      Yes, I have discovered that I do lots of shifting into and out of gear. I also did the same on the I/O, but it didn't seem to wander as much. Maybe it's driver skill and the fact that the I/O is such a large thing hanging off the back to direct the boat. Compared to the surface area of the rudder on an inboard, an outdrive is huge.

      I will also pay closer attention to the rpms at idle.
      What is the procedure for adjusting idle on a GT40? I've never adjusted idle on a FI engine. It's easy with a carb.

      Comment

      • DanielC
        1,000 Post Club Member
        • Nov 2005
        • 2669

        • West Linn OR

        • 1997 Ski Nautique
        #4
        Congradulations on the upgrade. The 1998 Ski is a very nice ski boat, and still has the analog gauges that are easy to read, unlike the the Y2k skis with the lcd gauges. Your back seat is also removeable, if you want to do that, and the floor is clear.
        The Idle on the GT-40 is not adjustable, the computer controls it. Your boat probably came stock with an OJ 13x16 4 blade propeller.
        Many of the I/O boats i have driven would not idle in gear in a straight line, they would wander. When putting your 1998 ski into reverse, it will pull to the port (left) side. If you approach a dock going forward, approach the dock at a 30 to 45 degree angle, with the dock on your port side, and before you make contact with the dock, put the boat in reverse, and the port side pull will swing the stern of your boat to the dock, and stop your forward motion at the same time. If you can practice this manouver without a boat full of people, and less distractions, you will learn it easier. The handling will slow down with more weight in the boat, and the reaction of the boat will be slower. Taking the boat in and out of gear is a good way of having a slower forward speed when you need it. My 1997 ski idles in gear at around 5 MPH, on a hand held GPS.

        Comment

        • BigBald
          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
          • Jan 2004
          • 529

          • Indianapolis (Carmel), IN

          #5
          I call going in and out of gear, "feathering the throttle". I find myself doing that a bunch when roaming around the marina, or a skier, or whatever. Just remember....no throttle, no steering (or very little).

          By the way, "feathering the throttle" is a concept that has been completely foreign to my wife until the end of last summer. Let me tell you that there were several stressfull moments as she appraoched me in the water.
          88 Ski Nautique
          99 Sport Nautique
          Currently - 07 Nautique 216 Team

          Comment

          • ffmedic74
            Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
            • Jul 2003
            • 835

            • Lexington, KY

            #6
            If you leave a SN in idle it will throw a small wake.

            Comment

            • chris196
              • Mar 2007
              • 223


              #7
              Thanks for the replies.
              I have discovered the pull to port in reverse. I now use it effectively and docking along a parallel dock is no problem.
              My biggest headache, handling wise, is getting into my slip at the marina. The slip is on the left side as you approach and there is only about 30' between the rows of slips. So, you have to come in and make a sharp turn. So sharp that it's impossible to do without reversing. But, with the slip on the left, the reverse action is working against me to get it lined up. Now, I actually to into the marina, past my slip, do a complete 180 turn within the limited space, head back out again. But now I'm approaching with a right hand turn. This is much easier because I start the turn early, then hit reverse which straightens out the back and I'm usually lined up at this point to go on in.
              I asked the question about speed because it's just faster than I like going in and making the uturn and heading back out. It's manageable and I'm getting more comfortable with it.

              Yes, I have discovered the removable back seat. We usually leave it in just because of being at a marina, no where to store it. It's a nice feature though. I do like the dash/guage layout. I definitely don't like digital guages. So far, I'm very pleased with the boat.

              Comment

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