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  1. #1
    Member XS-Skeet's Avatar
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    RT188 with the 90 Merc 4S

    Well, after 21 years of a Tracker TX17, the bride of some 39 years and I pulled the plug on a RT188! Found a great deal on a carry over 2014 model at a dealer in North Carolina.

    All I can say is... "What a difference!" During the past year I had developed a bit of a balance issue and the Tracker was just a bit to narrow for my liking. The deck on that RT188 is like an aircraft carrier in comparison.

    Just finishing up the 2 hour break in per the manual I opened her up yesterday. The dealer installed a Solas "New Saturn" 13 1/4 X17. WOT indicated just a hair under 6000 on the Tach and GPS speed was 40-41 range. Boat had full load of fishing gear 3/4 tank of gas and two light weight (230 each) old farts.

    One thing I have noticed, it takes very little trim out. Is that normal on this rig? If I get a little aggressive with it, the good old porpoise sets in. Sucking the motor back in takes care of it. This hull does have the tabs.

    For you guys with the Merc 90, are those numbers in the ball park. After going from a 40 Johnson, it was a big jump.

    We have completed three fishing trips in it here on lake Hartwell and it can be said... We love it!

    Mr. Bill

  2. Member krr6581's Avatar
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    #2

    Eat, Sleep, Hunt & Fish

    2010 Tracker Tournament V18 18' 3"
    Mercury 115 Optimax, Mercury Spitfire X7 Prop 19P
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  3. Member AlumRanger's Avatar
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    #3
    Pics?
    Think what would happen in this country if the many stopped fearing the few.

    2015 RT 178 w/70hp Yamaha.

  4. Member TritonTRXV8's Avatar
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    #4
    Sounds like you got a great deal congrats. Being a 2014 model boat it has the previous model 4 stroke correct? Surprised its propped that low since those motors had the lower 2.33:1 ratio. Tsceni has a 90 optimax and his runs 45 with a 22p prop. His has the lower gear also.
    Roy
    2020 Triton 18 Trx
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  5. Member tcesni's Avatar
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by basstrackeroptimax View Post
    Sounds like you got a great deal congrats. Being a 2014 model boat it has the previous model 4 stroke correct? Surprised its propped that low since those motors had the lower 2.33:1 ratio. Tsceni has a 90 optimax and his runs 45 with a 22p prop. His has the lower gear also.
    Actually Roy, that is spelled "Tcesni", or insect spelled backwards :). Last time out I was at 43.5 with a load similar to the OP's but a 17" pitch does seem odd.
    2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
    2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
    14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway

  6. Member TritonTRXV8's Avatar
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    #6
    Sorry about that. I think I have messed it up several times then. For the previous model 90 that prop seems very small it should wind up to the limiter instantly I would think. For a new 2015 model it may be closer since its higher geared but still thats a very low prop. With a 2.33:1 gear and 6000 rpm and 41 mph thats almost 0 prop slip.
    Roy
    2020 Triton 18 Trx
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  7. Member tcesni's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by basstrackeroptimax View Post
    Sorry about that. I think I have messed it up several times then. For the previous model 90 that prop seems very small it should wind up to the limiter instantly I would think. For a new 2015 model it may be closer since its higher geared but still thats a very low prop. With a 2.33:1 gear and 6000 rpm and 41 mph thats almost 0 prop slip.
    No worries regarding my handle. It looks like random letters to most folks. My 90 Optimax was delivered with a 17" Solas prop, and yes, one crack of the throttle and I was hitting the rev limiter. I don't know what that dealer was thinking!
    2018 Ranger RT188 SC Black/115 hp Yamaha SHO 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - north
    2018 Ranger RT188 DC Black/115 hp Merc Pro XS 4-stroke; Garmin LVS34 - south
    14' Mirrorcraft tin boat (ancient) with a 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke, no electronics; catches fish anyway

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    #8
    Congrats on your new boat Mr Bill. Going from a 40hp to a 90 is like finally get to go on the down part of a roller coaster. Enjoy your new aircraft carrier.

  9. Member XS-Skeet's Avatar
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    #9
    Roy and TJ -

    I'm not sure where you came up with the 2.33:1 gear ratio. The manual I have is telling me the "Standard Ratio is 2.07:1". They are showing a "Command Thrust @ 2.38:1".

    I suspect mine would fall into the 2.07:1 ratio. Would 17 pitch prop make sense with this with a WOT of 6000.

    Should I actually be running around 5500 or not worry that she kicks up around 6K?

    Thanks Guys!

    Mr. Bill

  10. Member TritonTRXV8's Avatar
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    #10
    Is your boat a 2014 or a 2015? unless it is a leftover from fall of 2014 and had the 2015 motor on it.
    Roy
    2020 Triton 18 Trx
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  11. Member XS-Skeet's Avatar
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    #11
    It's a late 2014 manufacture RT188... Year of Manufacture is also 14 on the serial number plate on the motor... I will give Merc a quick call tomorrow to very gear ratio with the motor serial number.

  12. Member TritonTRXV8's Avatar
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    #12
    does your motor look like this: image.jpg

    Or this: image.jpg
    Roy
    2020 Triton 18 Trx
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  13. Member XS-Skeet's Avatar
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    #13
    Image #1. The one with the 115 in it.

  14. Member jc1234's Avatar
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    #14
    I also have the 2014 90 hp merc. I get the same speed as you with the same load and 17p prop. My rpm runs about 5600, but mine is an analog gauge and those can be inaccurate. Mine is trim sensitive also. I can only get about 3 bumps before the porpoising starts. That said, I love my boat. It sure catches lots of fish.
    The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer up someone else.

  15. Member XS-Skeet's Avatar
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    #15
    JC - Yep, mine has the Analog tach also and are sometimes notorious for being a couple hundred off + or -. AT WOT mine is just a tick under 6000. Sounds like both of ours are rigged about the same. Glad to hear you are getting the same numbers that I am seeing. I'm extremely pleased with it!

    Roy - Mercury confirmed that the gear ratio is 2.07:1... I queried them about the numbers I was seeing with the 17P and they related I was good to go. Running at the top range of approved RPM's and the limiter is not kicking in, they had no problem with it. I asked about possibly going to a 19P and their reply was that I may see a 1 -3 MPH difference and a reduction in RPM's but was it really worth it?.. Guess I will stick with what is on there and let her rip..

  16. Member TritonTRXV8's Avatar
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    #16
    Thats interesting they must have made a ratio change then the 90 4 stroke used to have the same 2.33:1 gear as the 90 optimax. Your rpms are where they should be with the 17p I wouldnt want them to drop 400 rpms going to a 19p prop.
    Roy
    2020 Triton 18 Trx
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    Atlas 6” jp
    Dual Humminbird Helix 10 MEGA SI
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