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I hope this is the right/best place to post this for help. I bought a DF30A remote control model and got it on the water for the first time today. I let it sit for 15 minutes idle, got it up to 3000 rpm went to the area to where I wanted to fish and trolled around for 4 hours. The wind picked up and decided I needed to head in. Like it says in the title it would only go 3000 rpm @ 6 miles per hour full throttle. Any ideas? I want to give as much context that I can so I can figure this out. As you can imagine I was pretty bummed out to have this experience. I have a Suzuki tach with all the system lights. There were no lights that came on our any warning noises. I looked in the manual and it gave a couple reasons of limitation of 3000 rpm but involved warning sounds and lights. Other than that I was pretty pleased. It started right up and trolled between 1-2 mph. I hope I can achieve at least 20 mph in case is sketchy scenarios like today. I've got it mounted to an old 13 Boston whaler sport.

Is there a safe way for me to test the rpm without putting it back on the water?

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Does this engine possibly have a break-in protocol that prevents revs over 3K for a certain amount of time?

The other question is what prop size are you using?

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If new, have you followed the break-in schedule listed in the manual?
https://www.suzukimarine.com.au/asset...A-2019.pdf

Page 37:

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From what I've read it doesn't have anything that prevents it. I'm using the prop that came with it. 3 x 9.25 x 10

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Yes, I warmed up for 15 minutes and then went to the general area to troll at 3000 rpm. Fished for 4 hours and then went full throttle to try and get off the lake. No difference between half and full throttle in turns of rpm.

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What hour of break in are you at? If you started at 0, there may be a limiter on the engine during break in. You want to follow the directions completely.

If you don't break the engine in correctly, it can lead to future problems.

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What year is this "old 13 Boston whaler sport" ?
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...icle_id=61
https://www.whalercentral.com/viewpag...age_id=155

What year is the DF30A Suzuki motor?
and what shaft length is this motor? 15" or 20" ?

We need to know if you are using the correct shaft motor for your 13' Sport.
https://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php...p?cat_id=7

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The motor is a 2020, 20". The Whaler is a 1976.

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So I got it back out on the water yesterday. It goes about 3300 rpm in forward gear. In reverse it got up to 6000 rpm no problem.. what do you guys think?

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Please answer the questions already asked in post 6.

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Sorry Phil. Started at 0. 5 hours in now.

Break-in period: 10 hours
Break-in procedure
1. For the initial 2 hours:
Allow sufficient idling time (about 5 minutes) for the engine to warm up after cold engine start.
NOTICE
Running at high speed without sufficient warm-up may cause severe engine damage such as piston seizure.
Always allow sufficient idling time (5 minutes) for the engine to warm-up before running at high speed.
After warming up, run the engine at idling speed or the lowest in-gear speed for about 15 minutes.
During the remaining 1 hour and 45 minutes, if safe boating conditions permit, operate the engine in gear at less than 1/2 (half) throttle

NOTE:
You may throttle up beyond the recommended operating range to plane your boat, then imme- diately reduce the throttle to the recommended operating range.
2. For the next 1 hour:
Safe boating conditions permitting, operate the engine in gear at 4000 r/min. or at three- quarter throttle. Avoid running the engine at full throttle.
3. Remaining 7 hours:
Safe boating conditions permitting, operate the engine in gear at desired engine speed. You may occasionally use full throttle; how- ever do not operate the engine continuously at full throttle for more than 5 minutes At a time.

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Sent you an email.

It could be a few things.

I ran the numbers through a prop calculator and I am not sold on the prop they gave you. Possible the pitch is too low.

The prop size does not explain the failure of the engine to run higher than 3K.

Have you called the selling dealer?

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I would check throttle linkage, might be binding and hence why she goes full RPM in reverse.

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Have been thinking same thing Nick.

Trevor and I are scheduled for 1:30 call to figure it out.

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tm5k, did you install this engine yourself? I'm guessing you did because you are asking idjits online instead of the professional installer.

And stop doing 6k in reverse, lol.

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Biggie nailed it, installer error.

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Hey, you talkin' 'bout me!

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I wish you were right.

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If it not the throttle or shift cable, it would have to be the ECM. I also think a 10" prop might be too small. It is not the rev limiter as they limit at 3k but cut out ignition so it "stammers" at 3k.

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Thanks, I appreciate your input. I'm thinking ECM too. I don't know a whole lot about boats, but I even wondered if the tach could be part of the problem (seems like a long shot though).

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Nick - See my email?

Given the 3k forward, 6k reverse, I think the cable is installed the opposite way. Push to pull or Pull to push.

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I did double check that last night.. looked correct.

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I assume you would know if the tach is faulty but I doubt it would inhibit your rpms. If it is reading 3300 and you are going 30mph, then its the tach or tach setting. At 3300 you would be at a slow plane, maybe 17mph or so.

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Yeah, I think the rpm reading is correct, just where it connects to the engine "system" I thought it could possibly cause an issue.

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What is your speed at WOT

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I didn't measure it the second time out, but the first time it was like 6 or 7 mph with me and a friend.

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Nick - New Suzuki tach, shifter, harnesses, cables, engine.

WOT was 3300. RPM's increased to 3300 with about 1/2 throttle.No increase in rpm or speed with more throttle.

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Although it looks correct, I would do what Phil said and reverse it and see what gives. I doubt it is the ECM and even if the prop was marked wrong it would still get you on plane which you are clearly not at 7mph. These engines are plug and play installation so the only error per say is the cables or a faulty item. Anything else like fuel restriction or sensor would either sound the alarm, flash a code or both. Not sure about newer Suzukis but my 2005 did a weird thing when it throws a code that you need to decode with the manual. Same goes for guessing hours if not using a separate meter gauge. Again, newer engines may be different and less confusing.

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Unbelievable... I just got off the phone with the place I bought it from. He tried to belittle me and tell me to "read the goddamn manual". He then proceeded to tell me that I needed to run it in neutral for 10 hours before even putting it in gear. He told me to run run it without earmuffs for 3 hours and then I think 3 hours with muffs. That's about the time I cut him off and started reading exactly what it said in the manual. Guess what guys? I've got the old manual and they were supposed to fix this 6 months ago. So I'll report back after I go blow up my motor running it without muffs..

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Sorry to read this.

Breathe.

Give your "local" dealer's (several hours away) parts desk a call, share the story of the "shirtballs" in CA and ask them for the setup guide.

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They may have meant run in the water, not on muffs. I sure hope so.

I'm guessing you did you own install so the dealer that sold it to you can't be bothered helping you. That is sad but do you know what? Contact corporate. Do the squeaky wheel thing and go over their head.

You need to bring it in and have them hook up a dealer level scanner and read codes. My guess is you have a bad/not connected sensor that is throwing the computer into stupid mode. The computer went into "fail safe". Why you get 6000 rpms in reverse I have no clue. All that tells me is the engine itself is fine.

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I was in awe man. He was already about in the driveway no water. I'm going to have to make about a 2hr 45 min drive to have a dealer look at it. I don't trust the trailer it's on right now. I'll update you guys one I figure it out.

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Don't hesitate to reach out Trev!

Take a break and work on cabinets?

FWIW - I have my own "small" thing that has turned out to be this ridiculous monstrosity.

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Hallefreakingljah! Moved the gas under the front bench and raised the motor to the 3rd hole. Put my passenger on the front bench. No issue getting on plane at all. Max I hit was 28 mph at 5400 or 5500 rpm. I know 6300 is the max rpm but this was a huge win!

@phil t I was going to send you a video but it was late Eastern Time.

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How much gas are you carrying?

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6 gallons

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40lbs of fuel should not be an issue with weight.

Wait until you break it in but you need a smaller prop. What are you running now.

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Glad you tested the boat again before the 4 hr drive.

I hope your passenger was not your better half!

Nick - Factor he is at altitude. Is it 5400ft Trevor? My mind is mush. I would guess drop 2" of pitch in the same model of prop.

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4500-4700 ft depending on where I'm fishing. Currently 10.25 x 12

No drug my brother along.. lol

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I was thinking the same thing, will get him close to 6k maybe more alone.

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Trevor-

Do you recall what Ken said for estimate WOT? If 32, I might consider going down 4" in pitch. Might check back with him with these results.

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26 mph. I'll reach out to him. He was guessing 10" pitch.