2019 Z185 150 ProXS FourStroke setup

[deerhunter414]

Just got my new 2019 Z185 and here are the specifics of my setup:

150 ProXS FourStroke
Tempest+ 22P
No setback plate
Motor mounted in 4th hole from the top (5 holes total)
Prop to Pad 4"
WOT Water Pressure was strong, over 20 psi
VesselView Mobile Link
2.3 hours on motor

I started the break-in procedure and during the 1 minute WOT runs I was only hitting 53 mph GPS at ~6150 RPM (VesselView) with 1 guy, 1/4-1/2 tank, light load, empty livewells. I may have been hitting my rev limiter as I was not gaining RPMs after 80% throttle on the Hot Foot and as I backed out of the throttle to around that 80% mark it seemed like the motor smoothed out a little bit. How noticeable is it when the limiter kicks in?

The dealer talked to Ranger and confirmed that is the recommended prop and pitch but Ranger said the motor should be lowered to the 3rd from top hole which will increase my P2P to 4.75". Does this sound right for the 4-stroke vs increasing the pitch of the prop? I'm expecting this rig to run 58-61 mph based on other folks numbers with the standard 150 4-stroke but given the difference in gear ratio between the two (ProXS 2.08:1 vs Standard 1.92:1) it doesn't make sense to me they would both run the same prop.

I'd like to hear from others with the same boat/motor combo what their numbers are:

1) Your Boat/motor/setback plate?
2) What prop?
3) Prop to pad and motor mounting hole used?
4) Top speed at what RPM with your load?

Thanks!

[turfy49431]

See if you can get your hands on a 23p Tempest just to try.

[deerhunter414]

I would actually like to try the 24P, I think the 23P will still be under propped. Unfortunately the Mercury prop selector does have my motor listed for better accuracy but when I use the standard 150 4-stroke (1.92 gear) its telling me a 24 or 25P. With my lower gear ratio (2.08) I would think it would bump me to possibly an even higher pitch.

[StevenMCC]

I think 55-57 is more reasonable. I have a 18 with a 2 stroke and live wells empty with the waves just right I have hit 59.4, but generally see 55-58. Numerous videos of the 4 strokes only going right at 55-58.

[BrianFLA]

Mine is setup with a 23, seeing 6000 RPMS WOT and over 30psi

[deerhunter414]

I think 55-57 is more reasonable. I have a 18 with a 2 stroke and live wells empty with the waves just right I have hit 59.4, but generally see 55-58. Numerous videos of the 4 strokes only going right at 55-58.

I have seen the same when it comes to the standard 150 4-strokes on Z185s and Z518s, but I would expect to another 1-2 mph out of the ProXS otherwise whats the point?

[deerhunter414]

Mine is setup with a 23, seeing 6000 RPMS WOT and over 30psi

What speeds are you seeing?

[badMackrel]

I have a z118c with a four-stroke and 53 is my top speed. Usually get 50 mph full load with passenger. I spent lots of money trying to get more mph. Just ain't gonna happen. 21p bravo prop and 21 p tempest plus. Doesn't matter bother get the same. Hitting 5800 rpm as engine is rated. That being said, I have seen the same posts of guys getting 60. I am at 2k elevation. Local dealer told me that our elevation gets 5 mph or so less than lower elevations.

[contium]

My 2018 Z185 with the regular 150 4S came with a 22P tempest+ and it would hit 6000 RPM (analog gauge). My 2019 Z185 with 150 Pro XS also came with a 22P and I was hitting the rev limiter at 54.7. I have no idea what Ranger is thinking. Just based on gear ratio alone, the Pro XS should have 23P or 24P. My dealer swapped for a 23P and I still hit 6000 RPM and like 56.7. Dealer gave me a 24P but I haven't had it on a lake where I can open it up. I can tell you the hole shot is great with the 24P.

[deerhunter414]

My 2018 Z185 with the regular 150 4S came with a 22P tempest+ and it would hit 6000 RPM (analog gauge). My 2019 Z185 with 150 Pro XS also came with a 22P and I was hitting the rev limiter at 54.7. I have no idea what Ranger is thinking. Just based on gear ratio alone, the Pro XS should have 23P or 24P. My dealer swapped for a 23P and I still hit 6000 RPM and like 56.7. Dealer gave me a 24P but I haven't had it on a lake where I can open it up. I can tell you the hole shot is great with the 24P.

I couldn't agree with you more on the confusion behind Ranger sending the standard 150 4-stroke and 150 Pro XS 4S with the same pitch props. Could you tell me what hole you have your motor mounted in? I'm having the dealer move it to hole it is supposed to be in according to Ranger (3rd from the top) to see what difference it makes. Then I'll start playing with props. I plan to skip right over the 23P and go straight for the 24P and see how the boat likes it.

[contium]

I couldn't agree with you more on the confusion behind Ranger sending the standard 150 4-stroke and 150 Pro XS 4S with the same pitch props. Could you tell me what hole you have your motor mounted in? I'm having the dealer move it to hole it is supposed to be in according to Ranger (3rd from the top) to see what difference it makes. Then I'll start playing with props. I plan to skip right over the 23P and go straight for the 24P and see how the boat likes it.

I have an 8" jackplate and my PTP is about 3.25". That's how it came from Ranger.

[jtracc]

I have a z118c with a four-stroke and 53 is my top speed. Usually get 50 mph full load with passenger. I spent lots of money trying to get more mph. Just ain't gonna happen. 21p bravo prop and 21 p tempest plus. Doesn't matter bother get the same. Hitting 5800 rpm as engine is rated. That being said, I have seen the same posts of guys getting 60. I am at 2k elevation. Local dealer told me that our elevation gets 5 mph or so less than lower elevations.

i have z118 with opti pro xs and I can do 58 all day long fully loaded and 60 light load. 23p tempest plus with 6" jack plate. My hole shot is little slow loaded down tho...

[BrianFLA]

Solo 57 and change

[badMackrel]

i have z118 with opti pro xs and I can do 58 all day long fully loaded and 60 light load. 23p tempest plus with 6" jack plate. My hole shot is little slow loaded down tho...

Op has a four-stroke, that is why I posted. Not surprised the 2 stroke gets better mph. Good for you....

[deerhunter414]

Update on my setup... I went ahead and had the dealer drop the motor one hole as recommended by Ranger. I ran it this time with full tourney load, full gas, full livewells and just me in the boat. I got the same speed as before, 53-54 mph @ 6120 rpm. I'll take that as an improvement over the previous runs given I was running around a 350 pound heavier load. I ordered a 24p Tempest to see how it compares. I will know more this weekend, will be the first tourney out of the new boat.

[contium]

Took my Z185 yesterdayto test a 24P Tempest+. Best I could do was 57.2 MPH. RPM varied from 5924 to 6000. Boat handles better. I was blowing out in corners with the 23P. Get a lot more bow lift. 24P seems to be the right prop at least for my boat. Might play with engine height on my manual jackplate but I never will drive close to the top speed anyway. Our lakes are all 35 MPH speed limit and are barley big enough to hit top speed.

[IowaAngler]

Took my Z185 yesterdayto test a 24P Tempest+. Best I could do was 57.2 MPH. RPM varied from 5924 to 6000. Boat handles better. I was blowing out in corners with the 23P. Get a lot more bow lift. 24P seems to be the right prop at least for my boat. Might play with engine height on my manual jackplate but I never will drive close to the top speed anyway. Our lakes are all 35 MPH speed limit and are barley big enough to hit top speed.

To play devils advocate here,, then why are you so worried about top speed?

[contium]

To play devils advocate here,, then why are you so worried about top speed?

Where did I say I was worried about speed? The OP is asking for data. I provided some.

[IowaAngler]

[deerhunter414]

Update #2 on my setup....

Last year I spent more time playing around with my setup and here is the latest (updates in red):
150 ProXS FourStroke
Switched to Tempest+ 24P
Added 6" Vance Manual Jackplate (JPL4500)
Prop to Pad 4"
WOT Water Pressure was strong, over 20 psi
VesselView Mobile Link

So I realized after my initial testing the 22P Tempest+ Ranger sent with my boat was way under propped and I was in fact 120 RPM over redline (my redline is 6000) at WOT. I bought a manual jackplate to play with another prop and the motor height. In the end I landed on the boat liking a 24P Tempest+ at 4.0" P2P. I hit 57-59 solo, half tank of gas, full live wells at 5920 RPM with great lift out of the water! When I add a co-angler I'm at 55-57 at 5750 RPM and the lift out of the water is not as good and boat doesn't want to turn as well without trimming down a bit. I should've been able to eek out another 1-2mph after having the prop blueprinted because the stock 24P is very out of balance and all 3 blades vary in length.

No throw all of that out the window because I just ordered (2) 8ft Talons which will add about 110#s to the stern so I will be retesting and likely end up with a 4 blade. I'll be working with Croxton to get it dialed in and see where I end up. More to come....