2001 outlaw hard to handle

[ILV2FSH]

Sounds like a very similar road to one I just traveled. Assuming steering is all good and you're not trying to run at more then 3/4 trim:
1. Start with the prop - make sure it's good. Have someone else run it on their rig or borrow another that is known good.
2. Verify that your jackplate is set at exactly the same on both sides. My manual plate would bind more on one side when adjusting, resulting in the motor being a bit cockeyed and consequently not lined up in the center of pad. G's don't like that.

[Scantrell]

How are you guys measuring the height and I'm guessing it should be at 3" the steering is tight but plan on going to hydraulic this winter

[dswindall]

Center of the prop shaft to bottom of the pad. Grab a helper and use a ruler (wooden yard ruler) or straight edge. Your prop shaft even with the pad would be 0. So 3 1/2 inch below the pad would be just that. The best thing to do is try to hook up with some of the Missouri guys on here and let them run it with you.

[GamblerSam]

i would NOT waste time with setback ...trust me i've been there done that on my 2003 outlaw w/225 efi...
2 things you 100% need to do/know...

...#1 what is your prop to pad measurement...looks like you are way low so i'd say you are 4" below pad...
....#2 cable steering slop definately makes the learning curve alot harder as for driving straight on pad...

LSC, in your opinion, what is the best jackplate setback for an Outlaw? A lot of pictures of outlaws seem to have 6" or less jackplates. Why is this? Why is setback less important on an Outlaw? Just curious as us Outlaw owners can benefit from your experience. Not trying to "hijack" here, but enlighten us. That was a really bad pun I think.....

[DTS]

GamblerSam, if you look a few posts down, i asked the same question and LSC gave us some info. I wondered the same thing but more than 8" doesnt seem to help.

[GamblerSam]

Good to know.

[low slung cruiser]

Gamblers are built with like 25+ inches of set back without a JACK PLATE...
when you take your boat out of water and have to bend down and under your boat to reach the plugs, that's where your natural set back starts...
all i'm saying is i went from Bobs 6" hydraulic to a 12" Bobs and saw literally 0.0mph increase, only additional lift which was un needed...

[dswindall]

Gamblers are built with like 25+ inches of set back without a JACK PLATE...
when you take your boat out of water and have to bend down and under your boat to reach the plugs, that's where your natural set back starts...
all i'm saying is i went from Bobs 6" hydraulic to a 12" Bobs and saw literally 0.0mph increase, only additional lift which was un needed...

+1 get your height right and check that steering

[Scantrell]

Raised the engine up 1" going out now to see what it does

[GPGambler]

PM sent

[GPGambler]

A very smart man by the name of Mike Price addressed this issue. I do believe he said to......

[dswindall]

Raised the engine up 1" going out now to see what it does

How did it run?

[Scantrell]

It felt a lot better I didn't get the chance to open it all the way up yet water was rough on loz will try it next week

[Scantrell]

I ran the boat out today 68 mph at 5400rpm it started walking after that what do you guys think

[dswindall]

My suggestion is to keep raising it 1/4 inch until performance (and water pressure) start to go down. Then drop it back down 1/4 and theoretically that should be the best spot for your set up. IMO

[DTS]

Agreed with Dswindle. Also how was trim? My Outlaw will chine walk with too much trim at just about any plate height, at this point in just flying the bow and losing Performance, so don't over trim and let the boat stretch out then bump the trim as needed. When I bought my boat the previous owner told me if you trim it to the point where it wants to walk you've trimmed to far for best top speed.

[dswindall]

+1. Good Advice here

[Scantrell]

Dts how is your boat set up prop size engine height etc. I have found if I don't rush it ,it will handle a lot better thanks for all the help

[Gamblinman]

68mph at 5400 RPM from an Outlaw with a 2.5...pretty good right there. Is that GPS or speedometer?

[DTS]

I am running a 27 tempest that has been B&B'ed with cup added by croxton. It runs best about 3.25" below pad or somewhere close, I have a hydraulic plate so I adjust per the loading and water conditions I am running in. A 1999 or newer Outlaw with a Merc 2.5 200 EFI should be spinning at 58-5900 RPM's and running 74+, a Merc 3.0 200 should be running similar speeds and RPM's as well. But yes, let the motor stretch out then bump the trim up slowly until you get your best results, if you trim to quickly the boat will lift fast and cause chine walk quicker, just my experience though.