Has anyone supercharged their Rinker??

[landtdaniels]

I'm thinking has having a Procharger supercharger added to my 2006 226 R1 with a 350 magnum. Has anyone had an experience or information adding an aftermaket supercharger to a boat??

[tf2ttt]

I looked into this before and what I found is most people say Whipple makes a better system. Also if you have a B3 you're going to want to really investigate if the drive can handle it. I never could get a for sure answer from anyone but everyone all agreed it would be iffy with the B3. Merc states Bravo 3 Maximum Power Capacity 400 HP or 65 MPH. I think you would be well over both those limits. I didn't want to take the chance so the added cost of changing drives was pretty much the deal breaker for me. 

[alswagg]

The B3 will be fine with a Pro Charger system.  Make sure you change your prop to the proper pitch and a must is to have a drive shower installed.  Are you sure you have enough room to install the procharger system???  Some early 226's are extreamly tight configuration.    Note the boats gets a little squirly around 60 mph and above.  Do you have trim tabs?? if so add a 3/8 shim to the bottom side of the ram mount to give the tabe a more negitive effect.  This will help with hole shot and chine walking.  Al

[landtdaniels]

Thanks, all very things to consider. I have no idea if the space is available, i hoped Procharger would have been able to help with that info. I actually have the alpha 1 outdrive, not sure it's capabilities.... Maybe best to leave well enough alone.

tf2tt - Ever make it down to boat in Cincinnati?? We live about 25 miles north of the city.... 

[tf2ttt]

Alswagg has a very good point, with a completely empty boat and almost empty fuel tank I had mine up to 58 MPH and it starting walking a little on me. I don't have tabs so that would need to be factored in the price of a system. As far as space goes my 07 has plenty so unless the 07 was a change from your 06, you should be fine.

Merc's specs conflict a little on the HP ratings of the B3 (web site says up to 525 HP but some older brochures say 400) but have never conflicted on max speed of 65 MPH. I've talked to a few mechanics and all agree you definitely don't want to take a B3 over 65 MPH for very long.

If you do go through with it please post a follow up because I would love to know your results. Maybe some day on the river if I see another R1 blow by me I'll know as well.  

[landtdaniels]

Thanks again! I wish I could get 58mph....with 4 people less than 1/2 tank of fuel and 19 pitch 5 blade I get 47mph and a 4 blade 21 pitch 49.9.... I don't know the rpm. It pulls great and handles wonderful.

[tf2ttt]

Obviously I do most of my boating on Indian Lake but yeah in the past we've made it down to the river a few times but I've come to realize that if I drive that far might as well keep going to Lake Cumberland.

[tf2ttt]

Yeah your Alpha is pretty much maxed out with just the setup you have. Merc specs says 65 MPH or 300 HP on that drive. We had a Caravelle that could do almost 70 with an Alpha and we burned that baby up pretty quick. Slapped on a drive shower and just did short bursts of wide open so we didn't destroy it but it was still being punished. It wasn't a setup that I would recommend if you're looking for something to last long term. We traded it in two years later and don't know how much longer the drive lasted.

[alswagg]

Hold on, I was with the impression you had a bravo III drive.  Sorry for the misunderstanding.  If you have a bravo I drive or either a bravo III drive, a procharger will be fine with your boat configuration.  But, if you have an Alpha drive it will not.  Absolutly no way it will last more than a few runs at WOT.  The alpha is barely large enough for a 350 Mag naturally asperated.  Desipher which drive you have before attempting this modification.  Al

[landtdaniels]

Wow, thanks! That is a complete bummer!! Why in the world would they put the alpha on my magnum if that is all it will handle??Oh well, i guess i will keep what i have, I should done my research before buying. Regardless, I really do like the boat....

[alswagg]

Why in the world would they put the alpha on my magnum if that is all it will handle??

Well there is a maximum hp any unit can handle.  Hate to say it, but cost is another issue.  Many 350 mags have Alpha drives, but also many have bravo drives.  The Bravo drive is more money though, the Bravo III drive is alot more money.   Anyways, good luck  Al

[landtdaniels]

Thanks, To everyone for your knowledge and advice!! I'm new to boating again after a 10 year layoff and you help is very appreciated....