1994 champion 204 setup help

[mawilson1]

I have a1994 204 with a 2013 250 proxs 10 inch jack plate. took it out for test run with prop shaft 5 below pad and couldn't drive it over 65 chine walk was more than I could handle.
need any advise on set up don't need to run 75+ but would like to get 70 and still be drivable

[MMosher]

Raise it to 3.5, 5 is to deep. What prop?

[mawilson1]

26 tempest extra cup added
full tournament load 3 batts t-motor 1/2 tank gas and my 220lb but

[MMosher]

Raise it to 3.5 and start over. Keep us posted.

[STLBassBuster]

Was the Tempest 26 blue printed and balanced? They are known for being inconsistent out of the box.

[mawilson1]

ok 3.5 below pad tournament load full gas and my son 145lbs in boat with me we only get 66 gps around 20lbs water pressure roster tail about level with top of motor do these numbers sound about right or should I be seeing more

[MMosher]

Is this your first Champ or high performance bass boat? You're running it wide open, full trim? Props not buggered up? Nothing hanging off the back disrupting the water flow like transducers or power poles, ski ladders? Should be seeing low to mid 70s or better depending on load.

[mawilson1]

this is the same motor and prop I ran on my cobra at 74 fully loaded
26 tempest with extra cup form steves prop service

[Lea]

Different boats entirely. Can't use same set-up for your Champ. Our gang will help....

[mawilson1]

yep that's why I'm asking

[Lea]

When you get set up, you're gonna love that Champ, but a 204 needs careful set-up. She is weight sensitive regarding load........

[mawilson1]

that must be why it has little to no storage

[Lea]

Plenty of storage forward of consoles, but, as said, watch the weight. And definitely raise the PTP to 3.5" and adjust up or down in 1/4" increments from there to find the sweet spot.

[mawilson1]

ok have set jackplate 3.5 ran it up to 3 and lost speed lowered it all the way back down to 4. At 3 inches less wetted surface on hull but only ran 63 gps rooster tail real high. lower motor 1/4 at a time down to 4 more wetted surface best speed was around 66. Thinking 10 inch jackplate is to much set back

[pmgoffjr]

That motor should be blistering on that hull. Something is amiss.

Just so we can all start on the same square one.

The speeds mentioned are all WFO? Full throttle and full trim?
Are you positive you’re running on all six? It’s real easy to knock a plug wire loose on that motor.

Do you have another prop to try? Always helps to eliminate variables.

When you do actually get a 204 up on pad and running it’s a bit light and loose. Maybe a steady hand to verify your results?

Keep digging it’ll get found.

[mawilson1]

26 tempest with a little added cup turning 5800 rpms tried a 25 that I had and it was pushing 6000 but only 62 mph

[mawilson1]

pat you said the hull was weight sensitive took all the soft plastics out and really didn't make a dif

[pmgoffjr]

26 prop twisting 5,800 rpms should be 73 mph.
Something is causing a ton of prop slip. We need to find that first.
Got any pictures?

[mawilson1]

[MMosher]

The pictures look like you're running flat. Need more lift. IF you're wide open trimmed all the way up. Keep dropping the engine a 1/4 inch at a time to find your sweet spot. I've never seen a 204 set up with a 10 inch plate, only 6-8. Comparably those were rigged with 225s and ran in the low 70s.