boat setup

[procharged]

hey guys a little help needed. Just bought my first gambler, been in a couple and really liked em. I have a 92 intimadator w/92 200 merc,25p turbo 2+2. Got it from a buddy, boat been setting for about 3 yrs took it to lake a few times and was very sluggish. To the point had two bad carbs, fixed now w/2004 carbs. boat runs decent on plain, feels like I'm pulling a log behind me though,runs 63-64 on gps @6000' water pressure stays around 18-20psi, factory gambler jplate looks to be 5 1/2", motor height prop shaft 5" below pad if I check right. Also getting on plain it will just about stand straight up and takes for ever to plain out. I think it should be in the lower to mid 70's on gps. Any thoughts would greatly be appreciated

[NJGAMBLER]

Welcome! first off, go to super tips on the BBC homepage and make sure you are measuring engine height correctly. If you are at 5 inches, I would raise to about 3 1/2 inches, as a starting point, watch your water pressure. The prop you have may not be right for your setup or may have been repaired and is not lifting the boat. I would try to borrow a 25 Tempest to try out. I basically have the same boat with a 200 Johnson, I can run 72-73mph. It is also possible you're not trimming up enough to get the hull out of the water or you're trimming too much and the prop is slipping. Do you have any kind of roostertail at all. It should be at about the height of the engine when setup properly. If I can help IM or email.


Modified by NJGAMBLER at 11:42 PM 2/10/2008

[procharged]

Thanks for the info. I've had nitro, ranger, and a triton all were pretty much set up didn't have to worry about them much just hop in and go. I called a guy today thats pretty close to home and he suggested a 25 tempest also, any thoughts on 4 blade or 3. A 4 is whats on it now, he also said to remove two of the plugs opposite of each other if I could find one to borrow, that it would help on hole shot a little more. Thanks for the input and to bbc for a great website.

[Al from Canada]

The Trophy's a 4 blade, a Tempest is a 3 blade.

[1FastGambler]

Ditto to what "NJGambler" said... sounds like your motor is way too low! Same thing on the prop suggestions.

That combo also seems to wake up by adding 2" setback spacers between the jackplate and engine, BUT be sure to thouroghly check to make sure the jackplate and all of it's hardware is in perfect condition! I have seen the side bolts on that jackplate break before... just make sure they are all tight. It might be a good idea to take them out one at a time and visually inspect them all.

Good luck & remember that experimenting to find the best setup is part of the fun!

[procharged]

Thanks for the help guys. Leaving for floridia friday, going shinner fishing at toho with a couple guys from work. This will be our 4th year going, may have to play with jackplate down there some. Also have a buddy thats going to let me try his 26 predator double cuped off his gambler ( is to much prop) if it will ever warm up around here when we get back.