I’m running a 23 pitch tempest on a Mercury 200 EFI. Boat runs 55 MPH at 5500 RPM and feels like the nose is running too low in the water. I trim the motor to raise the nose but then start kicking up a rooster tail. Not sure if I should be looking at a different prop or a jack plate? How do I measure the motor to see if it’s too high or low on the boat? Any advice on what to do first?
You need to measure your prop to pad to see where you are at. I had the exact boat you have only it had a 175 FICHT and it would run 64gps with just me in it at 3 1/4" PTP. You need to level your boat from the very bottom keel of the boat towards the back and then level your motor off from the lower unit flats. Measure the bottom of the keel to the ground then measure from the center of your prop nut to the ground and then do the math to determine the differnce and then you will at least have a starting point. With a 200 I am guessing it should run upper 60's to near 70.
2017 Ranger 518 w/ Evinrude 150HO G2
Thank you for the information. I will do this and see where it’s at..
i would think you need to try a good 25 pitch tempest with the 200 you should be around 65 mph
I have the 1999 Dvs with a 200 and have found that a 25 Trophy works the best. 25 Tempest was the fastest with just me in the boat but add a partner and the boat just died. If you can add a 6" jack plate you'll be a very happy camper. I hit 64 mph with no problem.
Thank you for all the replies and input.
Has anyone tried a 26 pitch trophy plus on this setup? Curious if it would work or be too much.
Last edited by Crooked stick; 11-12-2020 at 05:26 PM.
I think a 25 or maybe 24 will work better with out a Jack plate. With a Jack plate 26.
24 Trophy plus for hole shot or 25 Tempest plus for speed. Len
Check the setup page at the top.
1992 RANGER 392V 200 MERC
26 trophy plus at 58 mph and 5650 rpm with choppy water and 40 degrees. Prop nut to pad is 5”. Im curious how accurate the indash speedometer is.
5" would be motor really low in the water. Should run somewhere around 3 1/4". It takes a good 3 blade prop to get the lift up in the bow and gain speed.Originally Posted by Crooked stick
Butch Derickson
2011 Z521 w/250 hp SHO
Traverse City, Michigan
I have a 1998 518 dvs. 5-1/2” jackplate 200 hp Pro XS. 25 Tempest prop. Motor is around 3-1/4. I have great bow lift.
Boat will run 68 mph easy.GPS Sounds like you need to get a jackplate and raise your motor.
It looks like the Vance manual jack plate is $211. Are there any known issues with this one? I’m thinking either this one or a zlock? If this doesn’t work I’ll look for another tempest plus. The 26 trophy was owned by a local guy so I decided to try it since it was available.
Last edited by Crooked stick; 11-23-2020 at 10:30 AM.
My 97 518 runs 67 ,,69 mph, has a rite hite 10 jackplate, 3.5 in prop height, 25 tempest, great hole and top speed.
2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
pulled by a 2500HD Denali
proud dad of an ARMY Captain
MAGA
ASE/GM Master tech before tools
The speedometer isn't accurate at all. You need GPS to know for sure what your speed is.
Well so much for that. The GPS speed is showing about 5 mph slower than the dash so I’m only running about 53 mph. And I confirmed the gps is accurate by riding in the boat behind the Tahoe and compared the gps to the vehicles speedo. Is a jack plate gonna get me from 53 mph all the way up into the 60s ?
[QUOTE=Crooked stick;11520284]Well so much for that. The GPS speed is showing about 5 mph slower than the dash so I’m only running about 53 mph. And I confirmed the gps is accurate by riding in the boat behind the Tahoe and compared the gps to the vehicles speedo. Is a jack plate gonna get me from 53 mph all the way up into the 60s. I WOULD START BY BORROWING A 25 PITCH TEMPEST PLUS, THE 23 YOU HAVE P.OBLY GETS YOU A BETTER HOLE SHOT WITH 2 PEOPLE IN BOAT, , MY 25 STILL GIVES ME A VERY GOOD HOLE SHOT WITH 1 PERSON, 2 PEOPLE NOT SO MUCH. BUT TOLLERABLE. THEN SEE WHAT WHAT YOUR SPEED IS. THEN GO WITH THE JACKPLATE, I THINK.. 518 RANGER DIDNT RECOMEMD A 10 IN PLATE BUT A 6 IN. MY 10 WAS INSTALLED BY DEALER, WITH NO PROBLEMS. WITH THE WAVE (THINK THATS WHAT ITS CALLED). IN THE BACK OF BOAT ON PLANE, MY 10 IN PLATE PUTS THE MOTOR IN THAT BOAT WASH PERFECT,
Thank you for the advice.
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