2005 Nitro Nx898 Merc 150 efi

[sgtusmc]

I am currently looking for the best setup for this boat , it has a horrible holeshot and is only topping out are 47/48 gps wot 5500rpm it has no jack plate , and is running 23p tempest plus prop, with 2 PVS plugs removed and 1 large still in if not, it will blowout. I have seen some on here running way faster with the same boat as well is mine is the saltwater intercoastal version so its a little lighter than other versions. Thanks for any input

[pmgoffjr]

You have a lot of stuff going on, and none of it is good.
First, you're woefully underpowered, that 150 at best is going to push it about 55 at BEST.
898 is a holeshot pig, one of the few bass hulls that will actually really benefit with trim tabs.
It needs a jack plate, not a lot of setback, but a 6" rapid jack will help some. It's a funky design, you've got a huge distance from the transom to the pad, but there's a short gap from the pad to the bottom of the offset, so it limits your motor height. It's stupid and really hard to work around.

So, right now, you're slipping that tempest badly, it's starving for water. Need to get it dropped down so it can get some bite.
And internet BS is just that, some knucklehead running down stream, down wind, empty with three gallons of fuel hit a number one time and by gosh that's what he runs and if you can't run that same number you're doing something wrong. Don't buy into it.

That boat can be made to run decent, but it begs for a 3 liter motor.

[sgtusmc]

Thanks Pat I was looking into a 6" inch plate and maybe running a 4 blade to help with holeshot with live wells full and fuel 3/4 she's a real pain to get on pad not worried about speed at all just want to get on plane lol with out my buddy having to play on the front deck

[pmgoffjr]

We battled one just like yours with the non skid interior but it had a 225 on it.
Ended up putting 12" lenco trim tabs and a worked tempest on a six inch rapid jack. A 10" plate really made it goofy and a trophy just made it run flat and slow.
The tabs greatly improved the hole shot from a miserable ten seconds to a liveable four seconds, when they are raised made no difference in speed.

[Rip Bass]

Pat,I wonder if one of the fins on the anti-cavitation plate would help his hole shot? Be a lot easier and cheaper if so.

[pmgoffjr]

Dunno. Not ever a fan.

[greg88]

I run a very similar boat a 898nx sc with a 2.5 liter 150xr6 carb motor only mod is chris carson reeds it likes a 21 tempest best all around prop I am currently running a 23 with the largest plugs it runs ok 58 to 60 with the 23 empty livewells my buddy has the same boat with a 200 3 liter and he even went to a 5 blade prop and jack plate and won't run with my little 2.5 the 385lb motor is a blessing on this hull design I think?? that 505lb 3 liter don't help things by the way in a tournament two guys it will run 50 at about 90% throttle 5000 rpm I will try to get my prop to pad numbers for you I have no jackplate it wouldn't fit in the garage if I did. I would start with the motor tune-up or put a 21 on it turn it 5800 to 6000 see what happens earlier in the year went to a lake southern part of Missouri and seen 3 other 898's besides my buddy and I