Utopia 185 top speed

[Double07]

I have a 2001 Utopia 185 with the optimax engine. I was expecting around 50 MPH top speed on this, but I am not getting that.
I recently changed the wear ring and replaced the impeller with the solas mc-cd-22/39 impeller. At 5500 RMP, the GPS reads around 41/42 MPH.
The stator vanes were messed up, but I added some JB weld to raise it back up, nothing very precise though.

Am I missing something? Anything else that might have an impact on top speed? ride plate? boat bottom? etc. the engine revs up ok.
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Double07]

Does anyone know if this top speed is within the ballpark of what to expect from this year of utopia?
I have read different numbrs from different sources, ranging from 45 to 55 top speed. I am not sure what the right number is.

 

[Murph_13]

I've got a 2002 Utopia 185 and I'm getting 52-53 on the speedo and 48 on GPS...

 

[Double07]

I've got a 2002 Utopia 185 and I'm getting 52-53 on the speedo and 48 on GPS...

Thanks for responding...
Do you have the optimax (200hp) or the EFI (240 hp) motor?

 

[Murph_13]

After posting I thought I should have given some more info...I've got the gas-loving 210hp carb'd motor...I've also got the stock impeller, which I don't know the pitch of...so I don't know how it compares to your 22/39 pitch Solas...hope this helps!

I would like to think that your boat would be in the same ballpark, if not better than the carb'd motor? But again, not sure on the impeller differences...maybe someone else has an idea on that?

 

[Double07]

That's good to know.
From what I have read about that solas impeller, I dont think I should expect such a speed degradation with it.
The speed actually improved a bit with that impeller compared to my old impeller, but my old (stock) impeller wasnt perfect, so I couldnt do an apples to apples comparison.
Looks like I need to dig a little deeper to figure out what I am doing wrong.
Thanks again for the input...

 

[Murph_13]

No problem.

From having trashed out a few impellers on my previous boat I did learn that damage to the leading edges of the impeller did not degrade performance anywhere near as bad as when the trailing edges were damaged. With that said, if you do have some imperfections or minor damage on the stator vanes that could definitely be where your problem lies. Again, in my experience...the further back in the flow of the jet pump that the damage is...the more detrimental to performance.

Good luck with it, hope it's something simple...

 

[Double07]

With that said, if you do have some imperfections or minor damage on the stator vanes that could definitely be where your problem lies.

Cool. Thanks.
I did have some significant damage on the stator vanes which I built back up, but I didnt do it very well since I didnt think it had a significant impact on performance. I will go back and redo it more carefully and file it down as close as possible to the original shape. Hopefully I will be rewarded with a couple more MPH.
Thanks again.

 

[don't sink]

I have the same boat, motor and same speed. I too built up the Stator with JB and did not get much top end improvement. I did get better out of the hole and slow putt-putt speed but thats it.

I too am wondering if our speeds are correct. I was thinking the speedo was off and am planning on comparing to GPS or another boat. I think we need to hear from more 210 carb owners. The Optimax is not the same beast so I won't compare nuts to nuts on those.

Basically I think we are getting close to what we can and just have to open the wallet wider!!