20 XRD-300 XS- Input appreciated

I just purchased this boat last weekend and this is my third time driving.

20XRD Blueprinted comp Hull/300XS Optimax/28 Bravo I/ 12 Inch Hydrodynamics Manual Jackplate/1.62 Sportmaster with negative wedge-2 degrees I believe.

Motor is 1.25 Inches above pad. Best speed so far is around 89 mph at around 5800 rpm and water pressure is 16-17 psi. 5000 rpms is around 72 mph. 5500 is around 80 mph. Water pressure is anywhere from 15-17 psi and the motor is level trim or lower for most of the runs

I have shifted weight all over the place including my buddy laying on the front left part of the deck. Brave fella. The boat really wants to hop from back to front. Once he lays towards the front of the boat it runs much better, but not perfect in my opion. Have any other 20 XRD Comps run into this hopping problem. Any input on ballast. What ideal setups are other comparable setups running?

I have a 20 XRD with a 250 and it will porpoise at about 78 or so. One more bump on the trim OR hydraulic plate and it smooths out. I just don't run it 78. Some have said that it is not enough cup in the tip of the blades to carry the boat and a little more cup will fix it. I have not tried that though. Mine does not porpoise on top end though. You might try to raise the motor a click or two to see if it helps, just watch the water pressure.

Does your Bravo have a full flair or has it been cut off? The flair on the Bravo will give it a lot of stern lift and actually push the bow down and cause a porpoise type reaction.

How are you determinig neutral trim when running?

My 20 xd would ususally run a touch above neutral trim when it was 1.5 above with 12" setback and a 300X, so even if your boat is lighter it may still need another bump of the trim as mentioned.

We may have to hook up some time if I can ever craw out of the shop http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/ohwell.gif

Put the performer on it and see if the hop stops.

Not sure exactly what you mean by full flair. It does feel like the nose is really pushed down and when you trim up you can feel the ass end of the boat lift up. It is porposing pretty bad. I have a 27 pitch Powertech TRO4 which is a really thick blade with a lot of cup. I have it from my Stratos with a 250XS which I believe would fit on the boat. Should I just try this prop and see what kind of reaction I get?

I don't have the performer. I thought it came with the boat, but he said he would sell it for $450.00. Wasn't sure whether that was the prop I wanted so I didn't get it. I definitely want to get another prop for it, just not sure what is the best option.

Try dropping the plate one click. If the Bravo has been worked for the boat, it should not have and issue carrying the bow. At 1.25" above both a 28 and 30 Bravo carried 22-24 psi of water at wot on my rig.