Prop advice.

[Sandbilly]

I need some advice on a prop. Thanks In advance for any advice.

2004 Champion 206 Elite
2004 225 Optimax
elevation - 3110

I’ve tried two different props, a 25p Trophy plus 4 blade and a 24p Tempest 3 blade.

They both seem to get on plane slow, I think the Tempest is a little faster, maybe.

The Trophy top speed is 58.4 @ 5200 Rpm’s, the Tempest is 57Mph @ 5300.

There is not much gear in the boat. It had 1/4 tank on both runs, myself, a lean 195 lbs and a buddy, an aerodynamic 267lbs.

Thanks again!

[grout-scout]

New to you boat? Has this boat always been at your elevation or did you drag it from someplace else to the new location?

How many black plugs are in the props vent holes and what size hole is in the black plug?

[Sandbilly]

New to me boat. It came from Missouri. When I got the boat it had two plugs missing, and One that was 7/16 and one 3/8. It would blow out coming out of the hole. I installed two solid plugs in the holes that were missing and it quit blowing out but top end didn’t change.

[STLBassBuster]

That opti can turn 5,750 so I would drop down to a 24p 3 blade or 23p 4 blade. A fury should run good on it.

[grout-scout]

I would suspect something in the fuel system might need cleaned, but I don’t know how your altitude affects your motor. Pat or someone should come along and tell us if it has any bearing on your low rpms or not.

[pmgoffjr]

3,000 ft will knock you down about 200 rpms from sea level. So there’s that to start.
Tempest is the right prop.
But proper diagnostics is hard on the internet.
So before you do anything else take your motor in for a checkup. After you know for a fact it’s putting out 100% can you start tweaking setups.

[grout-scout]

Run it by yourself first too, your “aerodynamic” buddy is causing quite a bit of drag. He alone can cause you 2-3 mph.

[Sandbilly]

The boat was checked out in May, all was well, they said. It also only has 140 original hours.

[grout-scout]

Did they check the pulse pump, has the fuel line been changed to the grey/blue new style, vst filter changed? Did you run the boat when you bought it and if yes, how much difference was there?

[Sandbilly]

I’m not sure, but after reading here a little, I think I bought the boat from STLBassBuster. Maybe he can answer that.

[Sandbilly]

We didn’t run the boat at purchase.

[grout-scout]

I’m not sure, but after reading here a little, I think I bought the boat from STLBassBuster. Maybe he can answer that.

[STLBassBuster]

The engine was fully serviced at Ulrich marine in May 2018 when I bought it. Fuel filter, fuel line, plugs, thermostats, impeller, lower unit oil, spark plugs. Last time I had it out it ran 62mph with 1/2 tank, 3 adults, and gear. This was on bull shoals lake in MO. Worked tempest 25P 3 blade by mark croxton also hitting 5200 rpm according to the smart craft. I thought this was respectable for a 225 hp 206. I was going to try a 24p tempest or fury in a 3 blade, or a 22 4 blade. I never played with the jack plate height.

[Sandbilly]

We messed with the Jack plate a little. 3.5 and 3.75 below pad. I didn’t notice a difference. I really don’t care about the top speed all that much, just looking to get on plane faster.

[Lea]

Just an FYI....A 4 blade prop (your Trophy for ex) should be one pitch lower than that of a 3 blade (Tempest). The props you mention trying, are the reverse of that.

[Sandbilly]

Gotcha, thanks.

[grout-scout]

Not trying to piss off anyone, but I don’t know of any champions that just jump up on plane (EDIT: wide bodies). Prob gonna need a smaller prop to help that happen though or have your current tempest taken down to a 23.

[86 inches]

Not pissed but I believe the narrow beams were known for the way they came up on plane without a whole lot of bow rise. My 201 has always been like that.

[grout-scout]

Not pissed but I believe the narrow beams were known for the way they came up on plane without a whole lot of bow rise. My 201 has always been like that.

You are correct, I was just going to edit my post and write that the wide bodies didn’t jump up all that fast.

[kcg202champ]

Not pissed here either BUT my 202 gets on plane super fast with lil effort and im running a 4blade trophy plus prop (cant remember the pitch... either a 24 or 25)