202 Set up help

[Tmore]

I have a 99 202 with a '03 225 EFI Merc that I need some set up advice on. It has a 15" rapid jack manual jp and a 4 blade 27P power tech prop.

I'm pretty sure the motor is set too low because if I trim the motor all the way down at launch I can't get the boat up on plane. I think the exhaust ports are getting submerged and bogging down the motor, but that's just my very uneducated hypothesis. To launch I have to give it about 1 sec up trim off the bottom. Every boat I've had prior to this one I trimmed all the way down to launch.

I leveled my boat on the trailer today, then leveled the motor and took a measurement from the bottom of the pad and the center of the propshaft to the ground. I get 4" below pad using that method.

I'm not looking for all out speed, but would like an easier more consistent launch. I'm still getting seat time on it so I've only had it up to 66 GPS. Previous owner said he had it in the mid 70's.

Appreciate any suggestions.

[mercury97]

jack dat baby up and watch the water pressure. I would think an 1'' below would be round where it should be

[GE Blazer]

You're way too low. Start at 2" and come up from there. At some point you will need to plug the top 4 holes in the lower unit to keep your water pressure.

[Tmore]

I lifted the motor up about 3/4" last night, but then the top bolt was at the top of the slot so I couldn't lift it any further. Looks like I could move that top bolt down to a lower hole, but then the third bolt down will soon be at the top of its slot, so I may only get another 1/2" or so out of it. Looks like I could also have the outboard itself mounted one more hole up on the jp and that would gain me about 1".

With all that I'll be maxed out somewhere around 1-3/4" below pad. Any suggestions? I think my only option to get it higher would be to remove the jp and re-mount it higher on the transom.

FYI - After making the 3/4" movement I took the boat out today. Made a huge difference on the hole shot as I was able to trim all the way down and it jumped right up on plane. Still only getting about 66 MPH....didn't think to look at the RPM. The water pressure was around 30 PSI on my gauge.

[blue202]

tmore, give me a call have same boat. been there, done that and got the t-shirt. have lots of info for ya.

casey 848-6469 here in leander.