Ok... another timing question.

[Keithb87]

I'm sure this has ben addressed many times here, but I can't find it with the search.
21 ' Omega.. new motor. Won't get up on plane. Can't get more than 2800 RPM in the water. Boat used to run about 70 MPH at around 4500 RPM prior to rebuild no problem.
Out of the water on the garden hose... she'll rev right up to 5 to 6 K no problem.
Here's the question.. Shouldn't the timing be set with the boat in the water due to the extra drag on the motor from the impeller?
I've read on here about total timing, and am curious. Is there a formula to figure total timing?
Keith (confused as hell) B87

[Moneypitt]

Timing settings, as recomended by the factory, are initial settings. That means at an idle, that # will show up at the timing mark. Total timing, is the actual timing advance attained at a given RPM. The difference is the amount of timing the distributor advances. This advance, sometimes called a "curve" can be dialed in to advance a lot right away, or delayed to come in at a higher rpm. This curve plays a BIG part in the performance of any motor, and can really help get a heavy boat out of the water. Learn what you have, use a dial back timing light to establish where you're at now, and maybe someone here will help you dial in your dist....Moneypitt

[Chris J]

Should have total timimg in by 2800 rpm. For max performace you want to advance the timing as fast as possible with out pinging. Since there is very little load on a jet boat motor at lower rpm the timimg that really matter is 35 degrees (+/- 3) full advance. You can play around with the rate and amount of advance later. Sounds like you need to focus on full advance first. If you don't have a degreed balancer you'll need a dial back timimg light.

[CrdStang]

The cheap and dirty way out is timing tape. Just make sure you get the right tape for the diameter of your balancer.

[NAMarine]

Check your secondaries and see if they are opening. This is a common problem around here in the pleasure boats due to the saltwater.