2024 AR220 Power Issues at 4900' Altitude (TR-1's)

[yjb2024]

Dealer claimed 2024 AR220 would have plenty of power (top end speed) at altitude as is, without high altitude impeller. Does anyone know expected top end speed improvement with high altitude impellers? This seems like a boat that should not be sold into high altitude locations. RPMs maxing out under 7,000, 2 people in boat WOT at 29-30 mph, if you add up to six people max speed at WOT under 25 mph. Expected WOT slightly north of 40 MPH. If you try to pull a tube and turn with 6 people in the boat, boat heavily bogs down to around 15 mph. Any ideas would be helpful. Very frustrating situation as we mentioned numerous times to dealer that 230 HP seemed underpowered for high altitude but was assured that it wasn't an issue. Would have been more than happy to purchase a 222S and 222SE maybe a 252s that at least have the 1.9's. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have seen using Riva Air Filters can help as well. Perhaps can salvage this boat with high altitude impellers, RIVA air filter and any other suggestions. Only 7 hours on the boat so far...is there a break in period? Thank you.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Call Leading Edge Impellers and buy a set of impellers pitched for your altitude this will make a huge difference in performance. It will make the boat a lot per perkier and will increase your top speed as well as as the ability of the boat to get up on plane when you have a big load in it.

You are off by 1000 rpm’s, max rpm is 8000 on the TR-1 engines, you should see around 7800 - 8000 rpm. What as the temperature with these rpm / performance results ?

The RIVA air filter will get you about 150 to 200 RPMs, you can double check this by taking your paper air filter elements out and running with no air filter filters. Just be sure that your air boxes are very clean before you do this.

I had similar performance out of my 210FSH Boat, had six people in the boat, trying to tow a tube and could not get on plane unless I was going down wind. And while I have not retested that situation with my high altitude impellers, I am sure that it would do much much better. My top speed at 5000 feet on a hot day is now 37 to 38 mph with just me and the boat would probably be around 33 to 35 with people in the boat. But having a good set of Match impellers from Leading Edge will make the boat smoother and you will lose less speed in turns.

Also, make sure your oil level is set correctly in the engines. Be sure and screw the dipstick in fully when checking oil level.

Post in thread 'TR-1 Proper Oil Level to avoid RPM loss'

May 18, 2025

To track and somewhat follow the path of the oil, this makes sense.

Most everyone (myself included) will apply their experiences with cars, to these motors, unwittingly and/or unknowingly causing problems that don't seem to track with "typical" oil change procedure.

This also seems to explain the "why" of just how overfilling cuts speed. I never understood why this would be the case, when it didn't happen to cars with the same drastic effects, I just knew I couldn't argue with the noticeable loss of speed if the oil was high for me.

• drewkaree

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[FSH 210 Sport]

I’d check the oil level, correct if necessary, then go out and run the no air filter test to see what rpm you get. Then contact Leading Edge.

If you buy a set of impellers to put in this will leave you with your spare OEM set, that way you will never be without Boat waiting on impellers. You may have to send the impeller back to have them adjust a little bit, but that’s normal. Hopefully Leading Edge will hit it on the first shot and get you very close to where you want to be RPM wise.

The density altitude can affect the engine performance greatly, where I’m at in the summer. The density altitude can be as high as 10,600 feet which result in about a 30% horsepower loss. So you’re going to have to try to hit the best compromise with your impeller so that if you vote when it’s cold at altitude, you won’t be under propped, Weil at the same time boating at your altitude when it is hot will give good performance.

Makes sense?

 

[yjb2024]

Thank you! Makes sense! Time for testing!