1999 tr18 slow plane

[Jarad]

Just bought a 1999 triton tr18 with mercury 150 efi. We did compression test and all cylinders was around 119. It had a 25 pitch prop and we bought a 23 pitch power tech prop. Checked all plugs and wires plenty of fire. It takes about 8 seconds to plane out runs great once on plane. With full tourney load and 300lbs of people we can hit about 55mph at about 5200rpms. The motor is trimmed all the way down on take off and wide open throttle is about 2900 rpms until we get on plane.

[richj]

Jarad;
I assume you know about the holes on the base of the props. You should try the plugs in and out or with the small med and big hole in the plugs.
What they do is let the prop cavitate keeping the rpm up until plane. After that it doesn't affect full speed.
Rich

[mdtritn21]

Rpm's need to hit 3500-3800 on take off to get out of the hole fast. I don't know if that 23 power tech prop has vent holes like Mercury PVS system or not but it needs them.

[Jarad]

Yes it has vent holes and I’ve taken all 3 out. No change with them in maybe a small improvement when I took them out. When I fill my livewells the hole shot is horrible.

[Jarad]

I bought the prop from prop gods. They are letting me exchange it for a 21 pitch.If that doesn’t help I give up.

[1Holeshot]

A 21 Tempest would be better. The Power Tech will run stiff for marked pitch.

[Jarad]

Tempest is about impossible to get right now with the pandemic. I can’t even find a used one the powertech props are about 3-4 weeks behind.

[Jz71sports]

There are a couple 21p tempestin props for sale right now

[Jarad]

I’ve had the powertech now for over a month I payed 500$ for it. I’m just going to try the 21p and see what it does. He won’t let me return it because I’ve had it over a month just letting me exchange. The mercury prop selector website told me 23p was best is only reason I got the 23p. Should have tried different pitches before I bought it.

[Tritonal186]

That engine should be able to push that 23 pitch prop @ 5500 rpm with no issues. Check the height of your engine to the pad ( Middle of the prop shaft to bottom of pad ), should be around 2 3/4 to 3 inches under the pad for best performance . That hull was made for speed , not for stability. The newer hulls, 2004 thru 2007 were made for stability. My buddy's 2002 Tr185 with a150 EFI, would out run my 2006 TR186 with a 150 Optimax by 4 mph.

[Tpower]

I have a 2000 TR-19 with a 150 EFI and 23p tempest. My prop to pad is closer to 2 1/4 and it will still run low 60's at 5600 rpm with good hole shot. If I have full live wells and 2 guys it will take 4 to 5 seconds to get up.

[Jarad]

Prop to pad on my engine is about 2 3/4 inches. With empty live wells and 2 people about 165lbs each hole shot is about 6 seconds.
Fill the live wells and it takes about 10 seconds. That is pushing about 2900 rpms. WOT is about 5200 rpms that’s with the 23 pitch 14 1/2 diameter prop. The boat came with 25 pitch laser 2 (smaller diameter) WOT was 5000 rpms at 56mph. Hole shot was about a quarter mile.

[Lightning 6]

21P Tempest Plus.

[Jarad]

Got one in route I’ll post update. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

[mdtritn21]

Do you have a jack plate on your boat?

[Jarad]

Yes 6 or 8 inch jack plate I believe.

[Tpower]

Pretty sure the pre 2001 TR's liked the P to P up higher. Like I said I am closer to 2 inches than 3. Try raising your JP 1/4 at a time and see if it improves. Just watch you water pressure, you want to stay at 10 psi or higher at wot.

[limitlong]

I had a 1998 Tr18 with a Johnson 150 Fast Strike and that boat performed great with a 23 pitch Raker. It would run 62 with two people. If I remember right, it was a four blade prop. I realize different engine and such, but you may want to try a 4 blade.

[rocketman6965]

When I "just bought" my boat, it did the same thing. 6 props and a few times to the shop later, I found out, through these boards that my hotfoot was not adjusted to give WOT. Make sure yours is before anything else.

Just bought a 1999 triton tr18 with mercury 150 efi. We did compression test and all cylinders was around 119. It had a 25 pitch prop and we bought a 23 pitch power tech prop. Checked all plugs and wires plenty of fire. It takes about 8 seconds to plane out runs great once on plane. With full tourney load and 300lbs of people we can hit about 55mph at about 5200rpms. The motor is trimmed all the way down on take off and wide open throttle is about 2900 rpms until we get on plane.