PVS plug testing results

[FastCat04]

Hey just thought I'd provide some info on a trial I did with PVS plugs in my 2018 Eyra w/Merc 250 Pro XS & Fury 26p prop.

I'd start this conversation by saying that these plugs make a lot more difference than I ever imagined !

Test:
2018 Eyra
250 Pro XS
26p Fury 3 blade
2 people ( 220lbs & 145lbs )
68 degree water temp
70 degree ambie temp
Atlas Hyd jackplate fully down (prop centerline 3.25" below pad)
Trim fully down
50% fuel load

Test 1: No plugs---engine spins to 3300rpm during holeshot/takeoff....pulls hard out of hole and has slight momentary cavitation at breakover. 7-8 sec plane time. Top speed 80mph @5800rpm

Test 2: 3 vented plugs---engine spins to 1800 during holeshot/takeoff....EXTREMELY SLUGGISH out of hole! Approx 25 sec to get on plane. Also max rpm is 1800 when loading on trailer---wide open! Had to put trailer deeper in water to load, as didn't have enough push to 'slide' to front of trailer. Top speed 80mph @5800rpm

Test 3: Returned to no plugs---exact duplicate results as Test 1. Much more responsive than using plugs. Decided not to trial solid plugs as performance suffered greatly with just 3 vented plugs installed.


Lesson Learned---plugs make a HUGE difference in holeshot/takeoff & trailer loading. No difference on top end. I'd really like holeshot rpm's to be up around 3400-3500, so may try raising motor up 1/2" for next tests.

So if anyone ever wondered just how much difference could a few plastic plugs make...go try...it's surprising !!!

[mike464]

No plugs on the Fury 3 or 4 blade

[shapfromla]

FastCat04,

The benefit of plugging the holes comes in when you are trying to plane in really, really shallow stuff and you raise your Hydraulic jack plate way up near the top of it's travel. Plugging the holes lets you jack it up and plane off without blowing out quite as bad. You are correct though, if running the motor lower no plugs is definitely the way to go.

[Texlacat]

FastCat - the next time out you should also try what Shap mentioned in raising the jackplate. I also have an Eyra/250 with an Atlas jackplate. I have found that my holeshot improved greatly when I raise it to 10 . Doesn't matter if I'm in deep or shallow water. As soon as the boat begins to jump up begin lowering the jackplate to minimize the blowout and start raising the trim.

[1BADAIR]

Not sure on a cat but us ranger guys add three 1/4inch holes next to the pvs holes to get a little more rpm with fury’s

[06 SB]

Not sure on a cat but us ranger guys add three 1/4inch holes next to the pvs holes to get a little more rpm with fury’s

I am not sure of the size hole but that is common with the big cats too.

[ChuckTR21]

Don,

Are you leaving the plate all the way down at top speed? I've not got mine to punch 80 with the 26 Fury but have hit 79 and change; however, plate has been at 3-4 on the gauge. Sounds like you're getting a bit more out of it so wondering if I've had the plate set too high.

/Chuck

[blakesfav]

I’m impressed that you got 80 out of it at only 5800 rpm. Haven’t done the math on it but that’s pretty darn efficient. And nicely safe with it deep at 3.25 below pad.

[crank68]

I’m impressed that you got 80 out of it at only 5800 rpm. Haven’t done the math on it but that’s pretty darn efficient. And nicely safe with it deep at 3.25 below pad.

80 with a 26 at 5800 is only about 2% slip.....

[blakesfav]

80 with a 26 at 5800 is only about 2% slip.....

Yep about what I was thinking. I need that prop.

My Eyra would run max 80 with that load and maybe slightly slower, same prop at around 6100. Wondering if he dropped to a 25 he would see higher speeds and better hole shot maybe? Would be fun to see.

[n2ratfishin]

This takes a while but you can REALLY dial one in. We used to take solid plugs and a set of drill bits. Make a few runs with a stop watch, record break over times with solid plugs. Start drilling them out one by one 1/8" drill bit recording your times between each run. Of course you'll want a remote ramp on a week day and some help with the trailer. You'll find the exact combo for your prop and rig. Take the boat loaded like you will be running on tournament day. If you have a hydraulic plate you may want to put some markers on the gauge with slippage tape?

Back when I was really into the speed thing I would take a bunch of props out and mark my plate and run props making plate changes the same way with a sharpie. It may take several days to get everything just right with a prop that hooks up just right but the guy that says his boat is running ____ MPH and everyone else is calling BS may have spent the time dialing everything in to that hull and most simply take the boat home and never touch it. That's what I do these days...just go fishing.

Boy O Boy did me and ole Flyswapper ever go round and around with our Sabers trying to eek every MPH out of em only to have him crawfish at the OI when it was time to line em up. Truth be told we were BOTH very happy with the outcomes.

[FastCat04]

Great info !!! I'll continue to post testing results as I proceed. I know the with my set-up and Atlas plate that the engine fully down is a 3.25" Prop to Pad distance. Not sure what is optimum for top end...but I will find out. Plus running an Ultrex with a total of 4 batteries isn't the ideal 'top end' set-up...but hopefully by playing with the trim settings and engine height I can break into the 81mph+ range. Also, we just now have 10 hours on the boat/engine....so it's probably still a bit tight.