200 Pro Setback

[jim4596]

Hey guys, I was wondering what setback you guys are running and why you decided on that amount. I am currently at 10", but i think im going to 12" or maybe even more than that. just not sure how to tell where the best location is.
I just went from a yamaha lower unit to a merc sportmaster and im trying to get it set up for good top end #s and decent hole shot too.

boat is a 05 20' stratos, hydrotec yamaha 365, sportmaster gear case, 1.62 gears, 10' detwiler hydraulic plate, prop unknown yet (looks like a 26 bravo).

[Jason Phillips]

I'm running 12" on my boat where most are running 8" or 10" tops. The boat handles and drives great with the 12". The holeshot is still very good on the boat. I do notice a lot more tendency to back wash when coming off of plane with the 12" plate. But other than that, I don't have any negatives for going with it.

I know I'm not running a 200 (or even a Stratos any more), but the characteristics from the plate will be similar.

[ep72]

Have ya run it with the sporty yet Jim? Your kinda blazing your own trail for others to learn from, I really dont know as far as how much setback. Maybe check out what the 21 Bullet, and Stroker guys are running for setback.

What props are ya gonna try with the 1.62's ?

[jim4596]

yeah, I know Im learning. Its definitely a work in progress.
When i first took it out and ran it, It wouldnt break 80. it was close 79.9 but wouldnt get over it. but there might have been several reasons. the gas was old. i wasnt used to the setup either. i have only been out in it twice. the second run it cracked over 80 running upriver with my partner, fishing load, and livewells full of fish and water (so there is hope lol). first time out i ran a 25 tempest and it was terrible. it just never felt right & never lifted. then i ran a 28 bravo and it feels good on top end, but is slow outta the hole. i was running a 30 bravo on my yamaha lower unit and it was running strong before. 29 txp was my fastest prop at 92.5. stock 30 bravo ran over 90 if i remember right.
I just ordered a 26 bravo and had it sent to mark to see how his new raker mod does on my boat. i got a 28 and 30 bravo already. i think im going to go with 12" setback and see what she does.
i just thought i would see what everyone else is running and why they decided to run that setback. im thinking that if i run that 26 bravo that i can move it on back. it should have a great holeshot no matter how far back i go.
it is definitely a different boat. just gotta play some more. but I thank the good Lord that I found some work to be able to afford to play some more. either im working and dont have time or im not working and dont have the money.

[craigs06]

My 201 has 10" Bob's on it. That's what was on it when I bought it. I am considering trying 2" spacers to see if it handles better on the top end. I agree with you, holeshot is so good I could trade a little off for something on the top end.

[mercury97]

Jim, get you some 2'' spacers and give them a try and see how it does

[Flipping57]

Jim, I am now running 14" of set back on my 200XL/250ProXS. I started out with this boat with a 225 ProXS w/6" of set back. It porpoised at wide open throttle with the 6" so I went to an 8" plate. It handled a little better so I tried putting on 2" spacers and it stopped the porpoising and handled even better. Then I swapped the 225 for a 250 ProXS with the 10" of set back and I was still not totally happy with it. I bought a 6 hyd plate and bolted it to the 8" jackplate for a total of 14". I cannot say that it hurts anything at all as far as handling holeshot or anything. What it does do is give me the capability of raising the plate high enough to get some of the lower unit out of the water.
I think getting that sportmaster of yours up will help you a lot. I now run a Fury at 2" below the pad and can run a TXP as high as 5/8" below the pad.

[ep72]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Flipping57 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> and can run a TXP as high as 5/8" below the pad.</td></tr></table>

Dayum you aint kidding about running higher. Have you had to plug the side intakes too?

[Flipping57]

Yes, I have the top 4 holes on each side of the lower unit pluged.

[jim4596]

flipping, what lower unit and what gear ratio???

[ep72]

Jim, i think he has a torque master with 1.75's not positive though.

I really think with your boats weight and the sporty design you'll just have to play around and find what it likes best. With your setup 1.75 gears might be something to study up on too, but who knows cause you have some big power on the back.

[jim4596]

im really hoping i can run a prop in the 26 range. that will have awesome holeshot. that will allow me to go back further with setback which should help my top end #s. im hoping i can go back to 12" or 14" and still have good holeshot and get into the low to mid 90s on top end. no doubt the motor is a beast. just gotta keep playing with it to get the optimal setup. she was running strong before the lower unit switch. i was just getting it dialed in for pefection.
im hoping to get that 26 bravo from mark before the first wk of may so i can run it when i come back into town. i will only be in town for one day. then i have no idea when i will be back.

[sdfd504]

Hey Jimmy just make sure to leave the keys in the boat and I will make sure to keep the seat warm for you while you are gone.

[jim4596]

if you wanna buy the gas for it, go ahead blake. u gotta remember i run that high test gas with the big injectors.
but i need someone to get it setup right. so feel free.

[Jason Phillips]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jim4596 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">if you wanna buy the gas for it, go ahead blake. u gotta remember i run that high test gas with the big injectors.
but i need someone to get it setup right. so feel free. </td></tr></table>

Now that's an offer. I'd love to be able to set that beast up and only have to put the gas and oil in it.

[jim4596]

i ordered a 26 bravo from jacos and had it shipped to mark last week. also ordered some setback spacers from detwiler. so hopefully when i get in town i can move the setback to 12" and stick that 26 from mark on there. and run it in the tournament im fishing that day. then when i get back from the tournament im taking the lower unit off and taking it to a friend of mine to sharpen the edges up and clean the skeg up. then i probably wont be back in town for 2 months
i will be working in NJ.
but i gotta work while i have the opportunity. please pray for me while Im in NJ that i dont go off and shoot somebody.

[Flipping57]

Jim, I am running a torquemaster lower unit. I have run this boat with 6", 8", 10" and 14" of setback. I can not tell any difference in hole shot with any of them.

[jim4596]

if you cant tell a difference on hole shot, can you tell a difference on top end?
i assume you ran better top end #s the further back you went.

[Flipping57]

I picked up a little topend when I went from 10"-14"

[jim4596]

how much is a little?
one or two mph, or less?