2001 Ranger R81VS Setup

[Andrew_Price]

All,

I’ve seen similar posts, but nothing exactly like my setup and what curious was others think.

In April I purchase a 2001 Ranger R81VS with a 2001 Mercury 150 EFI with a Tempest Plus 23p prop sitting on a 6in power lift manual jack plate. When I first got the boat I was able to get 54mph at 5400 RPMs, that was WOT.. hammer down. I’ve since had fuel lines replaced, motor moved up to the top hole of the jack plate, lower unit serviced. Had the prop redone last week, looks brand new. I had it out this weekend on on Table Rock trying to tweak it to try to get better speeds. Set prop to pad to 3.50…. It’s getting 48mph about 5800 RPMs, raised the motor a 1/4 in and I’m getting 52 mpg at 5600 RPMs.. I’m not getting much lift and if I raise the motor I get about the same speed but higher RPMs, my hole shot is good. Max RPM’s is 5500 per the markings on the motor. I’m pretty sure this boat should go faster, but I haven’t found the sweet spot! If I try to max out the trim to get the lift, it throws a rooster tail about 3 ft over the top of the motor. What are y’all’s thoughts? Different prop? What other info is needed? I would like to try to get 60+, if possible.. if not I’ll just stop messing with it and be happy with a 52 mph boat.

[Snakebit95]

I would say your speed is not bad for a 19’3” boat with a 150.

[Andrew_Price]

The R81VS is 18.75 ft long.

[Spanky06]

Is it rated for a 175?, that's where you can get to the 60's I'm afraid that with a 150 about 53-54 is what you are going to get. I have a 188VX which is essentially the same hull, but I have a 175 HPDI and on the best day with 1/2 a tank I can hit 63 but that's it. 518's with a 200 is a 70mph rig set up correctly. Just my 2 pennies.

Spanky

[Andrew_Price]

My dad has a 1999 R83 with a 1994 Mercury 150 and I have hit 63, only reason I’m asking!

[Andrew_Price]

Yeah.. it’s rated for a 175.

[Whiteboat]

This boat is the "value version" of the old 461vs. It does not weigh as much as today's 18' boats - I believe it is about 200 lbs. lighter. You should be seeing low sixties with one person,

The 23" Tempest is the best prop for this boat.

[bassnman81]

I have a 2000 R-81 with a 2015 175 Pro XS no jack plate. It will get to 64 on a good day, 63 is usually the top end with just me and 1/2 tank. I did have a 175 merc EFI and that motor was faster than the Pro XS Same prop as you.

[r83srock]

I have had my boat for a few years, before that dad had it. It had a 175 efi originally that would run 67 on the hottest day of the year, it was a stout motor for sure. I turned a B+B tempest 25 to 5950. I do think our motor pushed that upper 10% hp mark.

Anyway, I have had a 150xr6 for the last 7 years. Although not as fast, I do like the motor, just as good of a holeshot as the 175. I get 58 fully loaded by myself. 23 tempest @5500rpm. I have seen as fast as 62 with it in cold air and a 1/4 tank. This last spring I got stupid and started to “mess” with stuff again, trying to eek out one more mph. Bought a 22 tempest to try, hit 58 right away, at 5700rpm. Threw a passenger in and the best I could get was 49. Wth? So on the phone to Mark I go, as he had worked it for me. I gave him the run down and he asked me to remove my rear transducer. Sure enough I picked up 6mph with a passenger. It was throwing enough of a turbulence that I was getting a bunch of slip. I’m done messing with it now.

Here is what works for me.

ptp: 3.75”
1/8” spacer behind the trim pad.
23 Tempest + bone stock, one large PVS plug and two wide open.
6” manual plate
All the heavy stuff in the rear.
Full tournament load 2 guys 56, by myself 58. Right now on a cold morning maybe 60-61.

I would fill it with gas, fill the livewells and test again. Make sure you have the weight distributed well.