2008 Ranger 188VX prop questions

[ldbarchee]

Hopefully someone can help out a newbie here. I have bought a new to me 2008 Ranger 188VX. I bought it from a dealer on a cold windy rainy day and against my better judgement I didn’t put it on the water first. When I did, I noticed it is a fat pig on the holeshot and takes forever before it quits plowing and gets on plane. Once it planes it absolutely flies. It is equipped with a Yamaha VMAX 175 HPDI On a hydraulic jack plate and a 3 blade 15-1/8 x 25 pitch prop. This is the first boat I’ve ever owned with an outboard on it and the only one I’ve ever driven with a jack plate. To me it seems like it is way over propped and I have no idea where I should have the jack plate set for takeoff. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Phongr82bf150]

I would check your prop to pad and see where its at. A compression test on the motor so you will know where its currently at. Also a 4 blade prop will holeshot better but loose a little speed up top. Do you know the max rpm for your motor and also are you getting max rpm at full throttle?

[transdep1]

Need more info - What is your max rpm's when running down lake - speed. What name prop - (pic). Are you trimming all the way in. Is it slipping on hole shot - what are rpm's
when it breaks over .

[cweb]

FYI I have the same rig minus the jack plate and mine has a 23 pitch prop...good luck with the new boat!

[bass4sully]

I have a 2006 188VS with etec 150 HO and here's all I did. I put on a manual jack plate. I set it 2 3/4 below the pad and then using a 22 Raker it comes out in about 4 to 5 seconds and runs up to about 5650 at about 55mph. I also had Mark (Mark's Props) make a prop for me as it is a Ranger and they are a load to get out of the water. Hole shot is about the same maybe a skootch lower but bow lift is much better. Mark made me a 21 pitch but it is a big 21 with some tweaks to the cups. My bow lift was amazing and it runs out a 5900 rpm and 59mph. Pretty much top speed for this boat/motor package as I have a 36 fortrex w/3 31 series trolling batteries. I will say that Mark's prop also handles very well at top speed. I was thinking of going to an Ultrex and backing off to a 24v 80 and using 2 lithuims. So I add 13 ponds to the bow cause Ultrex heavier then I can evacuate about 170 pounds out of the rear in battery weight. I am confidient Marks Prop will handle the extra 13 pounds in the front and I will probably have to re-adjust prop to pad as 170 pounds out of the ass end may make this float higher. I would have to imagine if I did that this, the boat would get over 60. My wallet on the other hand would be under water...

[Spanky06]

The Prop sounds like it might be a little to big for that motor. I have the same boat and motor (2010 188VX) I am running a 23M on an 8 inch Slidemaster ai am about 3 1/4, she's turning right at 5900 and 57 with a full load, and 61 with half a tank and just me fishing.

Spanky

[wisranger]

Yeah you’re over propped. A 23M would be the better prop for your set up.

[calfish1]

you are way over propped. see if you have a dealer that will llet you demo a couple of different props, and dont be afraid to try a 22 or 23 pitch 4 blade

[ldbarchee]

I appreciate all of the info. I figured the prop was way too much. On takeoff she points the bow at the sky and pushes through the water for probably 6-8 seconds or longer before planing. I haven’t had her topped out yet as I’ve only had it in the water once and still learning the way she drives. I’ve never used a hydraulic jack plate a day in my life so I have no clue where to set it. It’s a huge learning curve coming from 30+ years owning ski boats that drive themselves. I’m sure I’ll have many more questions as I go along so get ready. The good news is I put fish in the live well on the first outing so everything else can be fixed,right?

[Blue76]

I have the same boat but different motor. With the nose high I know you are getting soaked in rough water. Mine has a 150HO and a 22p rakerII. I put a 19p 4 blade and it is worlds different. Jumps out of the hole with a load but I lost a couple mph top end. I am probably around 55-57 mph tops now. I am happy with it. In rough water it now lifts quicker and I don’t get soaked.

[ldbarchee]

Well guys after having it in the shop for 5 weeks without being able to figure out why it wont run it now belongs to the dealer again. Picking up new boat on Saturday. Tight lines everyone!!