what prop?

[mercury2]

hello everybody, i have a 1986' 18'6 champ, ive had it for 22 years now great boat, love it. i had a 175 mercury on it,speedo says about 65 mph, so i wanted alittle more, so i put a 200 mercury on it, speedo says about 68 mph with a laser2 on it pitch26, motor is 3'1/2 below pad. is this normal speed, want more, your help would be appreciated. thank you, fred c.

[Lea]

Welcome...and be careful! That rig is rated for 175 Max! It is actually 18'4". They did not make a 186 until mid 90s.

[mercury2]

thank you lea, im a very careful, really careful on the water,ive been around boats and water all my life. ive been reading bbc acouply of years now,love it.
do they just call it a 18'4, are is it actually 18.4' ive read this on other posts, but when i measure mine it still says 18'6, rated for 175 right, i just wanted alittle more speed, just an old hot rodder iguess. thanks fred c.

[Lea]

It is actually 18'4". I have no idea where they measure from, but all brochures say 18'4".


As far as props, I've heard the Tempest Plus does well on our hulls. It is what I run. You may have to get one worked, as they are not always perfect out of the box...

....and may I suggest a GPS. The speedos are so inaccurate that you may be getting info that is inconsistant....(as well as too high)

[frank od]

24 or 25 Tempest.The Tempest will get you better bow lift and less slippage compared to the Laser prop.

[H2O_Fowl]

25 tempest and a 6 inch plate.

[mercury2]

alright, ill do it.thanks mush.fred c.

[Lea]

Fred, I just sent you a trial Instant Message. Unless you have a pop-up blocker on, it should be on your screen.

Well, dang...you just went off-line.... I was trying to tell you to contact Pat Goff...our resident older Champs set up expert!!!!

[ChampioNman]

I ain't gone anywhere, but who is this Pat Goff fellow you speak about???

[Lea]

Not you, Fred Devine...the fellow asking about the 86 Champ is also named Fred!!!

as for Pat Goff....I am hoping to see him at the Classic......

[Bayou]

I'm another to vouch for the Tempest props. Thanks to some on this board

[pmgoffjr]

What year vintage is the motor?

If it's a 2.5, then a 6" rapid jack plate with "champ" offset, set 3 1/2" shaft under pad, with the prior recommended 25 tempest should be the ticket 68 ish ready to fish should be easy to get.

[mercury2]

thanks Pat, its a 88' 2.4 i also did some work on exhaust ports, like T-rexs cherry project. fred c. -O

[pmgoffjr]

I'd suggest going to a 25M Yamaha prop instead of the Tempest.

Tempest is a little too much diameter, little too aggressive for the 2.4.

Should put you right at 6K rpms, which is where that motor likes to run.