After 3 years I want more

[getfished]

2004 champ 187 DCX
2004 Merc. 150 XR6
10" slidemaster
Tempest Plus 23 pitch
PVC exhaust plugs- large size
Engine height= 3" below pad.
Max RPM = 5600
Top speed GPS 2 adults, full fuel, tourney load= 51
Rooster tail approx 24" above top of cowling

Engine was 4 & 1/8" below pad
Max RPM 5400
Top Speed GPS 50
rooster tail approx. even with top of cowling

I don't have any problems with hole shot. Boat breaksover rather quickly, doesn't get very vertical at all and planes out quickly at both of the above settings.

What do I need to do different? Shouldn't this rig run at least mid 50's fully loaded ? It is lifting some but definitely not max. No chine walking

I don't know if I have rev limiters or not. I also don't know what max rpm is reccomended.

I have a water pressure gauge on the way to install and don't know what my minimum pressures should be. I was told I could get along without a gauge as long as the tell tale was running water. True or False?

HELP PLEASE!




Modified by getfished at 8:34 PM 10/9/2008

[brandon08]

One of the things that helped me on my 200 was the addition of a wedge plate to give me a little more positive trim. I also installed trim extenders to get a few more degrees of positive trim. Before I had the wedge or trim extenders, I had very little bow lift. Now I can feel the boat lift and actually start to walk a little.
I don't know about not having a water pressure gauge. I would feel much better having one to know what the pressure actually is.

[Lpolk]

False to the last question. It is a must to keep a eye on that water pressure gauge. Also I would get me a Service Manual for that year Motor. As for your setup, post over there on the setup boards, good info. there.

[iron banks]

Seems like it is under performing. Believe it or not a 10 inch plate on the rig may be to much set back. I would gets pats opinion

[Lea]

Yes...WP gauge is a must. I had 187/150 (Opti) 23 Tempest +, large holes, half size trim extenders...and got 58 loaded with 2 adults, 61 alone light. My motor was set at 3 3/4" below...8" JP.

Your rooster is too high...indicates loss of performance. Drop motor 1/2" and work from there... Your 2 examples are way apart. Moving the motor in 1/8-1/4" increments will help you find the sweet spot...but get WP gauge installed!!! I do not know what your max rpms or min WP should be with that motor. Someone can help My rpms top limit was 5750 and lowest WP 12...

[getfished]

Lea thank you for the reply. will get water pressure gauge asap. will also verify max rpm. 5700 5750 sounds right but will verify.

I would be tickled to tears with 58

[Lea]

Keep us posted. You'll get there!!!

[JoePA]

Lea hit the nail on the head...follow here instructions and you will be where you need to be.

I would have to bet that with that engine height and amount of trim that prop is slipping. I have no idea how to use the slip calc but just sound like it is.

Once you get the WP gauge and drop the engine 1/2" take it out. Once you get on plane trim up slowly...give the prop a chance to bite. I have a mark on my trim gauge to know where neutral/level is as a referance. Once you get to the level position then trim up. I am in no means telling you how to drive your boat so please don't take it that way, I know all boats react differently. Reason I'm saying if I don't do that with my Ranger the prop never really gets a chance to bite and I don't get the lift/speed out of it till I trim down and back off sligtly, I can feel it when it does and rpms drop slightly.

Good luck and hope I didn't confuse the hell out of you!

[Lea]

I am a bit curious about the lower rpms he is getting. I don't think lowering the motor will do anything towards increasing his rpms, tho I do know he is too high and quite inefficient right now. I'm wondering about changing out the prop...

...I wish Pat would chime in here...I have no experience with the XR6 on that hull..

[getfished]

Well I lowered the engine another 1/2" like suggested. Went to the water by myself, wind was blowing Roostertail still way too high. Speed was confusing with wind and direction. But it wasn't much better if any. Loaded the boat and pulled over to the shop (marine dealer). It was sort of irritating because parts man was not there. The guy that rigged the boat new wasn't there either. The salesman convinced me to lower the engine back to the original setting which I believe is 4 & 1/8 below pad. He suggested trying a 25 pitch but didn't have one handy today. Good thing I don't have any money cause he liked my boat and tried to trade me into a new 210! I wasn't able to order the water pressure gauge because no partsman available . I guess It will be a couple weeks before I tackle this again as I have TXs the next 2 weeks .
Thanks for the help and I will keep you posted.

[utinator]

Send your prop to Mark. If that doesn't help, get a bigger motor. I don't think you're gonna get much more out of it by moving the j/p.

[Lea]

Disagree...there is more in that boat/motor.... Not sure just what is going on there... I will suggest trying different props....I know for a fact that an out-of-box 26P Tempest is "iffy"...I had to try 3 before I got a good one...so having prop worked or trying others (at 3.5" to 3.75" below) might work!

4+ below is too low....for sure... Where is Pat when you need him!!

[getfished]

Lea, I may have already gotten some feedback from Pat in another forum. I wasn't sure which forum to post this in so I posted in several.

Put the engine back to original height where dealer originally rigged it.

two adults, full fuel, tourney load
50 gps mph @5400rpm


When I get the water pressure gauge I will pick this issue up again and also consult my dealer, maybe try a 25 pitch?

[iron banks]

Could there be a hook in that hull?. Those numbers are very poor for that set up. Going to a higher pitch prop is probably not the answer since you are only turning the 23 to 5400. Are you sure the the engine is developing full horse power. I had a carbed 150 vmax that had some trash in the high speed jets and never ran right until it blew up and they found the problem.

[Lea]

Not 25p....If you're only spinning 5400, with a 23, a larger prop will lower your rpms, if I am remembering correctly...

What did Pat tell you in another forum? Which forum?

Never mind, I found it. You really need to do what Pat suggested.....

[frank od]

Is your GPS set up for knots instead of mph?

[getfished]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by frank od &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is your GPS set up for knots instead of mph?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hate it when these type questions pop up! I'm pretty sure the answer is no but I gotta check now for sure!