Ps 197 2003 - 2013

[corey]

The weights were updated on MC boats across the board, the way I understand it the boats are built using more fiberglass (especially resin) than engineering had figured so while the 197 didn't change the posted weights were a bit lower than the actual weights.

Technically the ILMOR engine weighs a bit more due to it's cast iron exhaust manifolds, the block itself if the same so no difference there block to block. The 6.0 liter does weigh more than the 5.7 and likely more than the 03' 6.0 (the 03' was an LQ block, in 07' this was swapped for a full cast LY block).

Not sure on the platform height, technically these two boats use different platform brackets but a 197 platform sits in the same spot on the hull across all years (at least as I recall).

Final difference would be the prop. I know swapping the prop on a 5.7 Liter TT has a pretty big effect on the wake.

[jwroblew]

Originally Posted by corey

...Technically the ILMOR engine weighs a bit more due to it's cast iron exhaust manifolds, the block itself if the same so no difference there block to block. The 6.0 liter does weigh more than the 5.7 and likely more than the 03' 6.0 (the 03' was an LQ block, in 07' this was swapped for a full cast LY block).

I think a 2003 would still have the cast iron manifolds as well. I don't think Indmar went aluminum until around 2005 or 2007.

[corey]

You're right, the 03 would have been cast iron. I haven't weighed them both so not sure about the differences in weight between those and the ILMOR manifolds.

[Ryan]

I'm put my money on resin and the engine as the causes for change in stated weight.

I like Doo's theory on the tower leaning the boat forward. The vinyl is thickerm but I doubt that adds a net increase of even 30lbs.

[AussieMC]

It's very interesting that they have added more resin/fibreglass, I remember around 2007 there was a rumour/talk about they had actually lightened the hull.
The tower could have a minor impact (I'm not sure how much weight is in a mini tower) but the weight from the tower is essentially over seats section of the hull, so the effect forward or back would be minimal.
I have updated my platform brackets to the Alloy fold down, so that eliminates that variable.
The vinyl overall, and padding around the gunnel's etc. is thicker, but I agree, there may be only 30lbs there.
I was just curious about the wake/weight difference in an essentially 10 year unchanged boat.

[rodltg2]

I don't think that the wake variation is solely affected by stated weight difference whether its accurate or not. It has do something with the hull and mold. There is no way each boat, especially from 10 years ago, comes out exactly the same.

[JohnE]

Originally Posted by rodltg2

I don't think that the wake variation is solely affected by stated weight difference whether its accurate or not. It has do something with the hull and mold. There is no way each boat, especially from 10 years ago, comes out exactly the same.

And ther was a rumor (maybe true) that some of the molds perfomed better than others. At least years ago.

[rhsprostar]

From what I understand, there are at least two different molds for the 197 and although there are supposed to be identical, in reality they turn out two slightly different hulls. Supposedly one has better slalom wake than the other..........so I've heard......

[rodltg2]

Someone needs to toss the bad one then.

[blackTT]

Possibly could be all the sound suppression they now run in the boats to keep them quieter....... The new models are a million times quieter then the earlier rattlers.......