Squeezing that last bit of performance out of a Ranger 335V-Prop selection

[matt'sdrag95]

'87 Ranger 335V (17'10") with a '94 Merc 2.5L 150 XRI/EFI.
Running a wood deck extension (noted for weight considerations).
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prop-to-pad is 3.5" with a 6" manually adjustable jack plate.
Had a 23p Tempest Plus given to me that I sent out for refurb. Can confirm blades are a little cupped.
Max I can push out of it is 52mph @ 5250rpms (no co-angler, 1/2tank of gas). Can't trim it up much because the bow starts porpoising. PVS running all open inserts launches onto plane in 2 seconds at WOT.

Got my hands on a 21p Mirage (not a M+) and can get 55mph @6000rpms out of it (again, no co-angler, 1/2tank of gas). This prop kept the bow up much better than the Tempest+. No PVS system in this prop, and as one would imagine the boat planes out even faster.

Should I call it good with the Mirage, or is there anything I can gain from getting my hands on another Tempest+? And if yes, should I go with a 21p or perhaps a 22p? Or should I see if my 23P T+ can be worked over to remove cup and shrink to 22P?

I would love to try and hit 60mph but understand I may not be able to get there without permanent weight reduction.

Hoping to lean on someone with the knowledge or experience with this.
Many thanks in advance.
-Matt

[Savage]

Test a Laser2.

[matt'sdrag95]

Test a Laser2.

In which pitch? Also, what reasoning do you have to try the laser? My research shows the Tempest+ offers more bow lift than the Laser.
Thanks.

[Savage]

Maybe 22P.......Because you have a low power 2.5 150HP motor.

[hulapopr]

just by the pic the motor looks too high to me.
could be the porpoise and lift issue,i would
send the tempest to Mark,Redone doesn't
mean it's right.I had a perfectly good raker
ruined just having it cleaned up supposedly.
He can probably make the tempest better than
any laser but try what you can get a hold of.

[matt'sdrag95]

just by the pic the motor looks too high to me.
could be the porpoise and lift issue,i would
send the tempest to Mark,Redone doesn't
mean it's right.I had a perfectly good raker
ruined just having it cleaned up supposedly.
He can probably make the tempest better than
any laser but try what you can get a hold of.

Motor height in that photo was during rigging. Prop to pad is 3.5."

What kinda estimate on mph gain do you think there would be switching from the Mirage to a tempest? 4mph or less? more than 5?
Thanks,
-Matt

[hulapopr]

I'd say 4 should be easy to get.The mirage i don't know a lot about.Usually ran on
i/o boats and designed to be run deeper i think .I would think a good tempest should
beat it easilyl.You may pick up some with the mirage just by
dropping the motor a little.

[matt'sdrag95]

Wanted to update this thread in case anyone is searching for info so this could be helpful.

Since my initial post I swapped the old trolling motor out for an Ultrex, and added two 8' power poles.

I ended up getting my hands on a 21p Tempest + prop to try. WOW.

MUCH more bow lift than the 23p T+ and the 21p Mirage. Because the T+ is cupped my RPM's dropped to about 5850WOT, but my top speed increased to 60mph. Tourney load with a passenger I can still see 55-56mph.
That's a solid 4-5mph gain that I'm very happy about...especially since I added an ultrex and 2 powerpoles!

The 21p T+ prop also allows me to trim the motor more, getting more and more of the hull out of the water, which handles water much better.

Overall quite happy.
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[bassboat1]

Great improvement, especially considering the weight gain