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  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    3

    New to me boat. Looking for set up advice

    Hey guys, new to the boat forum thing. Just this summer I bought a new to me Fish and ski boat. A 1992 Ebbtide Dyna Trak 181SS. It has a 1995 115hp Mercury out back. Long story short the boat is rated for a 150hp so I know it’s a bit underpowered. Anyway, I’ve been playing with it this summer and over all the performance is ok. Pulls a tube, hauls the family and cruises nicely but it has more to be desired. The boat has a manual 6” jack plate allowing me to adjust the height. It came with a 23p laser 2 prob but it was way to much for the motor and boat setup. I purchased a 19p spitfire X7 and it’s been an amazing upgrade. Planes fast, and runs close to rated RPM. All in with my current setup I’m able to achieve 44mph gps. Fastest seen was 46mph. Engine height is putting the prop shaft about 2-3” below the pad. 19p Spitfire prop as stated above running 4900-5100rpm. Loaded down it will still break 40mph but I really want to get close to 50mph with the 115hp. Is that achievable or am I dreaming? I know with a 150 it would be close to a 60mph boat which would be awesome but I’m trying to avoid a re rig for the time being. Any tips or advice that I’m missing that could increase my performance? I’ll attach a pic of the boat for you guys.

    Thanks in advance!
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. Pat Goff
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Seadrift TX
    Posts
    10,942
    #2
    Is that a 25" XL motor? Sure looks long. If it is, don't bother doing anything to it, it'll never run right on a boat designed for a 20" shaft engine.
    Pat Goff

    Two degrees from center
    of nowhere.
    Smithwick TX.

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  3. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    3
    #3
    According to the previous owner (btw I’m the 3rd owner) its the original motor to the boat from new.

  4. Pat Goff
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Seadrift TX
    Posts
    10,942
    #4
    Look at the serial number if it says XL it's a 25" motor, if it just says L it's a 20".
    Pat Goff

    Two degrees from center
    of nowhere.
    Smithwick TX.

    [SIGPIC][<a href=http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=583&dateline=1498828542/SIGPIC] target=_blank>http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?t...828542/SIGPIC]</a>

  5. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    3
    #5
    It’s a 20” shaft

  6. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Ooltewah
    Posts
    521
    #6
    Hey your post and pictures bring back good memories for me. While I didn't have your exact boat I owned a 1985 Dynatrak 176SS with the straight in-line 6 Merc 115HP tower of power! I purchased the boat in 1989 and kept it until 2004. My kids grew up with that boat and it was a great fish and ski boat. I think the 176SS was just under 18' long. Anyway the perfect prop for my set up was a 19P Stiletto stainless 3 blade. My boat with just me would hit 53mph with a great hole shot. Your boat is longer and heavier so I don't think you will get 53 but you might get 50 lightly loaded. My set up was 2 3/4" prop to pad. I noticed in your pictures that the boat has a 4 blade prop. If that is your current prop you should pick up some top end speed by going with a 19P 3 blade. Good Luck!

  7. Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Lake Wynonah, Pa
    Posts
    482
    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by pmgoffjr View Post
    Is that a 25" XL motor? Sure looks long. If it is, don't bother doing anything to it, it'll never run right on a boat designed for a 20" shaft engine.
    why is that so? Not doubting you, just curious as to why

  8. Pat Goff
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Seadrift TX
    Posts
    10,942
    #8
    I've tried to setup a couple of XL on bass hulls designed for 20" L shafts.
    You *think* no big deal, just get enough jack plates to compensate for the 5" correct? Nope. The pivot angles get all wrong when you do that and NO MATTER what you do, it creates a ill handling beast. Best I could ever get out of it was "poor" and that was with access to whatever I wanted to make it a go.
    Pat Goff

    Two degrees from center
    of nowhere.
    Smithwick TX.

    [SIGPIC][<a href=http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=583&dateline=1498828542/SIGPIC] target=_blank>http://www.bbcboards.net/image.php?t...828542/SIGPIC]</a>