Originally Posted by
kirkster321
1995 Bass Cat Pantera 2
1989 Mercury XR4 150 HP
Apollo SS 23p prop
5.5" jackplate setback
Brand new lower unit
Just replaced my lower unit and got a brand new prop. Boat is now hitting 50 mph full throttle at 5400 rpm. It still needs more bow lift though because I feel like it is plowing through the water instead up being on top and it doesn't seem to be getting fully up on pad. I had the prop to pad set at 3" over the weekend and lowered it to 3.5" to try out. When I run calm water it seems to dog and run around 45-46 mph but when choppy it hits 49-50 mph. I hit 50 mph when choppy, 2 people, tournament gear, 10 gallons gas in each tank, and full livewells.
Need some ideas and help to get this bad mother running right. I just know it has more in it.
Need a lot more information to be of much help without making wild guesses
Elevation
3 or 4 blade prop
What gear ratio is the new lower unit?
Start with p to p at 3.5 in.
Running wide open adjust trim to obtain maximum speed (may be less than full trim up) and note trim level and height of rooster tail
Also note RPM and water pressure
Raise motor .5 in. and repeat. Note changes...…..Worse or better
If worse drop to 4 in. and repeat
Now work in 1/4 in increments to obtain the best setting for what you have now.
Personally I would start with a known good 23 trophy or tempest, I would not waste money and time on that prop. My experience with Michigan Props has not been very good and I would hate to see you invest a lot of time and money reworking a prop that you may never be happy with
I think being a little underpowered for the P2 you get better results with the Trophy. It will lift the nose more with less trim. If you had a 200 I would go with the tempest.
I think that motor has 5900 RPM max, please verify this
You need to get the RPM up to about 5700 this time of year if so.
That rig should run a little over sixty I think, when it is set up and running right