Speed help on 03 203 elite

[98 Elite203]

Pat, can you go into a little more detail about that 1/8” sanding on the inside chines?

[pmgoffjr]

I have to be real careful talking about sanding the bottom.

Not for you but the invisible lurkers.
Let me be 100% very clear.
You better be a salty pilot before you even think about it. It makes a 203 require 100% of your attention.

Are you sure?

[98 Elite203]

Let it loose....

[STLBassBuster]

203 is a pretty good running hull out of the box, but it has potential that exceeds out of the box.
The transom angle is the major source of limitations, you simply can't get enough positive trim, especially with a mercury to get the hull off the turning chines. Now, when you do break loose from those chines, the boat totally changes its outlook on life. It gets light, it gets loose, and it then becomes a drivers boat and not a old fat guys boat.

Everything on a boat is a compromise, so before you make the decision to squeeze the old girl a bit, make sure that's what you really want. Do you want to just push the throttle down and it behaves like Aunt Bessies Cadillac? If so, then do not pursue the modifications. If you're ready to go the next step then by all means tear you a piece off.

Once you think you've mastered it with the mods, a 1/8" sanding on the inside chines will get you some more, but you better have your big girl panties on when you do that, because it's going to get much more light and loose. But it's more mph, so p;ck your wants carefully.

This needs to be saved well said Pat!

[Branden_Monk_champ203]

So i need some 5 degrew wedges and a worked tempest . Got it!

[pmgoffjr]

Yep, you'll see noticeable difference.

[avenger203]

I have a 2000, 203 with a 2000 Mercury 225 EFI. Hydraulic 10" JP, 26 Fury prop.
I can get 72-73 out of it @ 5900 rpm, with 2 ppl fully loaded but you really have to drive it.
If I back it down to 69-70 its a lot more easier to drive. I have good hole shot right now.
I see a lot of people recommending a 26 Tempest. Also saying a worked prop.
Im getting ready to install a 10ft Talon and a TM 360 on a jack plate bracket.

Here's my questions.
(1) How much will the added weight of the Talon, 360, and bracket affect my hole shot and speed ?
(2) Since just one bracket with the Talon and 360, would it make a difference on which side I install it on ? I was thinking Port side.
(3) Would the Tempest be a better prop than the Fury ?
(4) When you say "worked" on the prop, exactly what are you having done to it ?

Thanks for any input

[pmgoffjr]

Anytime you add weight you're going to affect performance.
The reason for "worked" 26 tempest, they are the most inconsistent prop out of the box I've ever seen. One in ten runs right, three will run "OK" and six will be low grade dog food. When it gets worked, the master prop guy will true up each blade so they are the same, put the correct amount of cup on each tip, and make sure the leading edges all match, which they don't out of the box.
That's pretty well consistent on every even-numbered tempest. The odd numbers are much better out of the box. Why? No clue.

So, don't do anything, see how it runs and let your boat tell you what it wants, anything before hand is at best a guess.

[avenger203]

Thanks for the explanation. How about the Talon bracket.
Does it make any difference on port or starboard ? or is it more of just a preference ?

Thx again

[pmgoffjr]

No idea.

[avenger203]

Ok Thanks again