Triton 2005 Tr-196 setup with 2020 Mercury 200 Pro XS

[Billy B]

A Friend had a new 2020 4 Stroke Mercury 200 Pro XS put on his 2005 TR-196. He's having a terrible time getting it dialed in.
It has NO jack plate, he's tried from a 21 pitch to a 24 pitch props, 3 & 4 blades with no success. It Porpoises bad with the lower pitch props and only runs 61.5 mph at 5950 rpm.
It chinewalks uncontrollably with the 23P 4 blade at 5200 to 5500 rpm at 62 to 65mph.
When Jaco installed the new motor they mounted it in the fourth hole from the top. Since then He’s had the motor in the 3^rd hole from the top and now the top-hole Motor all the way down.
Still no noticeable improvement.
Can anyone help on the correct setup for this boat and motor combo.
Jack Plate or No Jack Plate?
Motor height?
Prop?
Can chinewalk be avoided and the boat run mid to upper 60’s with a decent holeshot?
Any help will be appreciated

[buster502]

hello.i am a couple miles from you in danville,i also have a 2005 tr196 with a 200 optimax from what i can tell mine really needs loaded righ, seems like if i get to much weight on one side its wants to chine walk but i am still getting used to driving it,the guy i got it from said it would run 74 mph,you sure do have a boat hull that will run in the 70 just getting it set up and seat time it what i need more of,great boat i really like mine

[JLWatts]

Not sure on the new 4 strokes; I think they like to be lower than the 2 strokes. A 8” jack plate would be of tremendous help! On that hull with a 2 stroke 2.5” ptp seems to be the sweet spot and like mentioned above weight balance is important. Hope this helps

[Mon Mariner]

Get behind the wheel and learn to drive the thing. That sounds like an awesome setup. Play around with height and get a jackplate. They sell used ones on here. Without it you may as well putt around at 50 mph. Chine walk is your friend !! It means you are getting ready to LAUNCH that rocket !!

[Billy B]

Thank you all for your help
I will let the owber know

[Caddis001]

Keep us posted on how this works out please.

[mdtritn21]

Second hole from the top should put the motor at 4.25" under prop to pad and that's where it should run.

[garacer08]

I would definitely go with a 8” Jack Plate, and start at 3.25” to 3.5” Prop to Pad. Raise it 1/4” at a time until you find the sweet spot. Watch water pressure. I’m not sure what those 4 stroke V8 need for water pressure, but when you see it drop, lower it back down 1/4”. You might have to try different props if you start over rev it.

[BassCatBrad]

Yes - get a jackplate. A guy in my club recently repowered his TR196 with a new 200hp 4-stroke Pro XS. He did loose 3 MPH compared to his old 2-stroke but his hole shot and mid-range are much improved. He said his runs 68mph now.

[Caddis001]

68mph is by no means slow, however, I would have thought a 196 would be mid-70's with that motor.

[BassCatBrad]

68mph is by no means slow, however, I would have thought a 196 would be mid-70's with that motor.

Agreed... His boat is heavy though. 2 power pole blades and a 36v ultrex.