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  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Palatka, FL.
    Posts
    95

    1999 Ranger 518VS

    Wondering if someone out there may be able to help me understand an issue I'm having with my boat set-up. I'm not new to setting up boats, but am new to Ranger bass boats. Previously I've owned Skeeter's and Winyah's . Now I have a 1999 Ranger 518VS with a 200 Optimax and 6" jack plate. It also has 4 batteries (36V TM), and a MK Talon as well.

    With a 25 Tempest it will run in the 68 mph @ 5200 rpm with the jack plate set @ 3-3/4" ptp. It has great lift and handles well also. However, my holeshot is very poor (especially with full livewells and another person), and I also get some kind of hesitation/stumble when I press the throttle down to get on plane (even when I'm in the boat alone). It's weird because it almost feels like it's a motor problem (fuel issue), but if I switch to a Trophy prop (same pitch), I have no issue whatsoever, and the boat planes out better as well. For some reason switching to the 4 blade prop, that stumble goes away??? Could this be some type of cavitation? Also with the Tempest prop, I removed all the vent plugs to get my holeshot the best I could, but it had the hesitation/stumble with them in the prop also so I've eliminated those being related to causing this problem.

    My problem with the Trophy prop is that I lose about 5 mph on top end, and I really don't want to give up that much speed. I'm only able to run 63 mph @ 5600 rpm (alone), and have tried raising the motor up to 3-1/4" ptp with no change.

    Wondering if anyone out there has some experience with setting up this boat, and that "stumble" that I get with a 3 blade Tempest prop installed??? I'd really like to make the Tempest work for best top end and lift, or at least get the Trophy within a couple mph of it.

    Thank ya'll.

  2. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Red Oak Va.
    Posts
    10,597
    #2
    The trophy is showing 20% slip and that's why it's slower than the tempest at higher rpm's it needs some work to make it right. A worked 24 tempest may be the best prop for your setup, it would get you more rpm's and probably a better hole shot. That 25 is probably too much pitch loaded.