520VX Prop to pad ?

[Capron]

I searched for a thread containing this information but was unable to locate it.

I have a 2001 520 VX, 225 opti and 25p tempest prop, no jackplate. I seem to be having the boat "slide" what feels like a foot or so to the side while going straight at varying speeds and trim levels. I'm not real experienced with bass boats so I figured I would ask here. But it seems my prop is running to deep maybe? I measured it awhile back and if I remember correctly it was 4"or in that neighborhood.

Can anyone tell me what they run their prop to pad at? I'm not looking for speed just smooth stable ride.

[bass.man65]

Do you have a jackplate

[JLM-Ranger Z522]

I would try 3 to 3.5 in prop to pad distance. Most Rangers run in that range ��

[fishfarm]

Get a 6in jack plate. With 25p tempest and my old 225 Optimax she ran best at 3.25 below pad. Full tourny load and two people I would get right at 68mph at 5000/5500 rpms and light load 69/70 mph at 5700 rpm’s

[MoBob]

What fishfarm said. The jack plate makes a huge difference getting the prop in clean water on this boat. It might help with the slip side step or whatever you want to call it.

I also run a four blade trophy prop, which has a little more bite and doesn’t exhibit the slip the 3 blades do at medium speeds. All of my 3 blade props did the same thing and it annoyed me too, until I switched props. The jack plate just helps this boat overall by pushing the weight back and giving the motor better leverage to lift the heavy front end. The combination of the jack plate and 4 blade really made a huge difference in drivability overall.