What should Cougar top speed be?

[TNReb]

I have a 2016 Cougar FTD with a 2019 Merc 4 stroke 250.

If I have the optimum prop, what sort of top end speed should I be seeing (assuming I’m not overloaded with gear and the tanks aren’t full)?

I’m just trying to make sure I’m in the ballpark. I may be lacking some RPM.

[OldTimer57]

They are certainly capable of 80...

[lpugh]

At what elevation, ambient temps, and humidty
What kind of loads, fuel, tackle, trolling motor, batteries and occupant weights
Do you have pole on it
What are the current rpm and speeds, digital and gps
Which four stroke and gear case

[shapfromla]

Mid to Upper 70's fully loaded and set up correctly. 80 is attainable on most and some will do it fully loaded but most will top out in the upper 70's fully loaded from my experience.

[06 SB]

Upper 70s. On GA lakes, I would run 78mph full gas, two guys, PPs and lots of tackle. For some reason lots top out in the mid 70s but a good BCB driver can get them higher.

[GWK64]

I have been in several 4 stroke cougars in the past year all were running 74-75 2-people no wells full all boats had 24 Fury props and Atlas jack plates and ran 76-77 solo .My last Cougar I owned was a 13 model PROXS 2 stroke ran 82 solo 77-78 loaded with a 26 Fury prop .But I have talked to someone up north that told me his 19 model touched 80 solo with a B&B worked 25 Fury in cool weather .

[Louie]

Alot of it depends on the driver, and load on the boat. But I would expect with a tournament load, half full fuel tanks and power poles, 4 batteries? and a ultrex? 77-78... no poles and a 80 lb troller... 79-81?

[Jordan99]

I have a 08 cougar with the new 4s merc on it. With a 24p fury I see 76-77 tournament loaded with 2 people, I have a 25p fury that i run in the colder months tournament loaded with 2 guys I see 80-82. I've spent a long time tweaking the jack plate, moving stuff around, trying different levels of fuel in each tank

[bassketcase05]

I've been able to hit 81 and change with a 24 Fury 3 blade, unmodified. It will run 78 all day long without really having to drive it.

[GWK64]

Wow according to all prop calculators 81 mph with a 24 inch prop and 1.75 gears turning 6200 rpm which is max on the new PROXS your prop slip is negative 1 which is impossible according to the math .So if the mph is correct the pitch is more than 24 or the rpm is past the limiter.Ether way that is fast with that set up

[boyfromthelak]

Alot of it depends on the driver, and load on the boat. But I would expect with a tournament load, half full fuel tanks and power poles, 4 batteries? and a ultrex? 77-78... no poles and a 80 lb troller... 79-81?

furys run 1-2p stiffer then they say they are. if you put it as a 25 p you get 3.41% slip at a 26 you get 7.13% slip

[fishnfireman]

I have a 2016 Cougar FTD with a 2019 Merc 4 stroke 250.
If I have the optimum prop, what sort of top end speed should I be seeing (assuming I’m not overloaded with gear and the tanks aren’t full)?
I’m just trying to make sure I’m in the ballpark. I may be lacking some RPM.

I notice this is a re-power.. Was the demand--demand linear (idle to WOT) set with a laptop ?

Some of us needed extra adjusting, especially with a top loading hotfoot.. If It's not getting 100% on the lap top it will limit RPM's.

[OldTimer57]

Wow according to all prop calculators 81 mph with a 24 inch prop and 1.75 gears turning 6200 rpm which is max on the new PROXS your prop slip is negative 1 which is impossible according to the math .So if the mph is correct the pitch is more than 24 or the rpm is past the limiter.Ether way that is fast with that set up

The prop slip calculator I use (at mercury racing) says "add 1" of pitch if the prop is cupped." so 25p -> 26p.

[GWK64]

Are unmodified Fury props cupped ? I did get my last B&B 26 Fury to 83 mph at 6200 on a cool day

[fishnfireman]

Must be good fertlizer... everything keeps growing.

[angle iron]

Are unmodified Fury props cupped ? I did get my last B&B 26 Fury to 83 mph at 6200 on a cool day

Prop slip of @ 7. That’s about right.

[Cajunhunter67]

Guys keep in mind one of the biggest misconceptions is that the Fury props are all the same. They are far from being standardized regardless if they are the same pitch.
Thus the reason for many getting their props worked by a Prop specialist. One 3 Fury 24 will run and handle completely different another right out the box.

[Finlander]

Actually the water conditions are a necessary piece of the speed formula. Every hull needs air and a light chop naturally aerates. The fastest I've driven a boat was with a strong tail wind over a steady and tight 1' chop. It is similar to a chatter bump road, the faster you go the smoother it gets except the boat tracks while the car can veer off.

[GWK64]

I think when people including me post the best speed they have attained it is under perfect conditions like Finlander just posted . For instance the speed with 2 people tournament loaded ,wells full bass seats on the deck on a 100 degree day will be much less . If your boat runs 80 under those conditions you have a true 80 mph boat.IMO only others may be different.To get back to the original question the answer could be between 75-81 and 24 or 25 Fury I do think B&B props are a little faster Croxton has been my guy since 2007 .Please let all of us know what speed you can get after whatever changes you make

[TNReb]

I notice this is a re-power.. Was the demand--demand linear (idle to WOT) set with a laptop ?

Some of us needed extra adjusting, especially with a top loading hotfoot.. If It's not getting 100% on the lap top it will limit RPM's.

You're speaking a foreign language to me!

I am the second owner of the boat. The original owner repowered it. He had a 26 Fury, and it wouldn't hit max RPM for the motor. I put a 24 Fury and still can't get the max RPM. I can't get it past 5900.

If I pick up another 300rpm, how much top end speed would I realistically pick up? (ballpark guess)

I'm not sure if I need to work with my local prop guy (we have a good one in the area), or I I need to have my local Mercury service center check it out.