Sea Sled madness. It’s in my brain.

In normal loading Serenity is down by the head a degree or two. As seems to be typical with older sea sleds. Usually they had boatier sheer lines, but Serenity is dead flat for utility's sake.

 

Fouled again. Port sideplugs more fouled than starboard. I've been buying gas st the Marina labeled "mid grade no ethanol". But I can't find mention anywhere of that combo. The only no vodka gas I can find is the 94 octane Ultra at the Chevron. If I've been using regular 87 with ethanol without knowing, I think overpriced bad gasoline is my problem.

 

I'd like to see "through" the spark gaps, to check if there is a buildup on either side.

 

No noticeable buildup. I can't provide a before pic. I've already cleaned them.

 

I buy ethanol free gas in Virginia and it's all mid grade 89 octane. If suspicious it contains ethanol you can test for that. Google ethanol gas test kit.

 

Awesome! Where do you get that?

 

Just add water and gasoline. The ethanol readily combines with water.
I used this method for adjusting base tune when running e85 at the pump. Interested to see if it's got ethanol in it.
https://a.co/d/5rHpAnY

 

Brilliant! And it turns out I have other options. Some Shell stations and all Coop stations have it.

 

You could find a Very knowledgeable parts guy, ie someone with grey hair, or alternatively work through it on the net but there will be a hotter running plug to burn off the build up
The focal points are the length of the tip from the seat need to be the same to prohibit the tip mating with the piston

an aside. The octane rating does not enhance the power released from the fuel, IN the same engine ie same compression ratio,

When Tetraethyl lead was banned, to reduce pollution, I am under the impression that ethanol did much the same for anti knock
characteristics. HARVARD MAGAZINE. THE ETHANOL ILLUSION
Certainly we have seen the articles about the non-renewable fuel consumption used to produce renewable ethanol fuel but
if anti knock improvement (pre detonation) improvements prevail there is less lead in the environmental

With my suggestion to get a hotter plug is with the warning that you are aware of the fact that a very hot plug may cause pre detonation, unlikely but possible

I would phone a marine shop that used to sell BRP and see what they recommend for plugs
Certainly Serenity does is not quite functioning at the designed load to rpm parameters

 

Spark plug heat range numbering explained
www.sparkplug.com

just need to ensure same series

 

Today's onerous chore. That moving van, loaded into Serenity. Serenity on the plane.

 

I figured that i might as well hop on your thread... I am building a 18' Hickman sea sled I started in June of 2022. I have most of the framing fully complete I'm just working on the planking and updating my drawings and weight study.

 

Excellent, @Darkzillicon . Glad to have you drop by. But don't hide your sled in my thread, your sled deserves it's own showcase! Is your sea sled from plans? Inspired by another? Your own creation?

 

its 90% from the 1950s ish boatbuilder plans for an entirely plywood boat. I basically added more freeboard to the bow. I probably should make a thread I’ve been building for 7 months now.. lol

 

I meant to ask, are you running a four bladed prop on the outboard? I think in that size range you can even get a five blade. Those are supposed to help with the air rated water however, your mileage may vary, but it might be something worth trying.