Malahini performance

[Hercdrvr]

Floated the Malahini today. Very pleased with performance, planed quickly and cruises on plane nicely at 30 mph with less throttle than I expected. Engine isn't fully broke in but I couldn't resist, found some smooth water and Did one quick WOT run, 45 mph. That shocked me, I was figuring 39-41 tops. Don't have tach hooked up yet so I can't tell you the WOT rpm.

Prop is a 13 1/4 x 17 stainless, happy with prop too. 45 mph out of a 90hp is what I would call "dialed in".

Boat tracks well in the turns with the skeg. In steep turns prop had a hint of cavitation but I expected that. Motor is mounted pretty high to achieve more speed. No porpusing, thank goodness.

Lake was chopped out so a rough ride. My floor boards are a bit noisy in choppy water. As with my Squirt, boat doesn't like quartering following seas. It does an awkward side bow dip as you Crest the wave with big splash. Defiantly a smooth water hull.

Those contemplating what to power a Malahini with, a 90hp is lots of power, a 60hp would be a good fit. It's cool to be able to go 45 mph but not practical in this hull. Top speed is way over rated

Matt B

[DrBryanJ]

Congratulations on getting her in the water. Looks great. Nice performance numbers. Looks like your little brown dog enjoyed the ride too

[BayouBengal]

Congratulations, she's a beauty!

Top speed is way over rated

Yep, it's really more fun just to ride around at 20 to 30 mph and wave at everyone while they admire your work and wish they had one.

You seem to be quite the builder, what's next?

[PeterG]

Outstanding! Great performance too! Interesting recommendation for less power, makes me glad I picked a Merc 65 hp, (4 cyl. version) and the 17 inch pitch. Okay, gotta go... renewed inspiration to finish mine!

[Hercdrvr]

I wouldn't go so far as to say I recommend less power, only that Malahini would still perform well with less power.

Next test will be how she performs with 4 adults. The Yamaha 90 is only a 1.1 liter engine. I think increasing the load will dramatically effect performance, especially getting out of the hole and on plane. We'll see.

Funny thing, It's like a kid going off to college. My boat left the protection of the shop, now it's out there on the water, in the sun getting, kids climbing in and out, etc. getting used. Well, at least I know a guy that can fix it.

Matt B

[vupilot]

Fantastic! Im impressed by your speed as well. It sure looks great on the water!

[rbrandenstein]

Congratulations on your successful launch and excellent performance.
I think the extra HP lets you turn a 17 pitch prop. My 70HP Yamaha turns a 15P and I don't think I could go higher.
Boat sure looks good (and a bit familiar Good choices on your part.

[hoodman]

Congratulations on the launch! That's going to be a fun boat for the family!

[JimmY]

Congrats, just in time for summer!

[BillW]

That's really beautiful.

You mentioned the floorboards make noise. Mine too.

In my Squirt, the floor is not designed very well. I wanted to minimize screws into the boat structure, since rot could begin
at each screw, maybe.

The result is noise in any condition, except dead-smooth water. It needs rubber mounting points, or something.

[mrintense]

Very very nice. I hope I get to see it in person someday. Are you going to post a video?

[Hercdrvr]

I added a ladder /swim platform combo. I decreased the radius of the support tubing by gently bending it so it would fit in the space. I know this reduced the mechanical angle the support bracket has to hold the weight but I think it be ok, wife and girls are petite. I'm the 200 lb. structural risk climbing up.
There are so many little fit details that can't possibly be anticipated. Example, I could have made my motorwell 2" narrow and the swim platform would have mounted perfectly and the motor would have still had the room it needs to fully articulate.

I'll report back how the swim ladder worked out.
Matt B

[Hercdrvr]

I got the tach hooked up and the engine is running 4900 rpm at WOT with 3 adults on board. Prop is a 13.5x17 SS so I'm thinking go down a pitch or two to get engine to 5500 rpm.
Matt B

[Hercdrvr]

Dropped to a 15 pitch prop and the 90hp had just enough grunt to drag my 210lb up.
Malahini is such a fun versitile boat. There will be a few chunks out of the paint at the gathering, she's no longer showroom quality after this summer.
Matt B

[Bill Edmundson]

Matt

Can't wait to meet her!

Bill