I Need: Good Hole Shot & Good Top End

[Hawwg Hunter]

Spec's:
'99 Viper Cobra 201D
1999 Johnson 225 Carb - Bombardier Lightning Series Lower Unit
Clutch: 14.5 X 26P 3 Blade Raker Prop
12" Off Set Jack Plate
1" below on Jack Plate

Good Evening Anglers!

I need some advice. I was out on Lake Fork the other weekend and I had about 610 lbs of fisherman, full live wells, gas tank, and gear- it was hell to plane out. It's always been hard to plane out.

Once you start out, the bow pops straightup and lulls around 3K RPM's. Then gradually (after 30 -40 secs) the bow lowers and it takes off. It's an incredible run after it planes out; however, in W.O.T it rests at 5K RPM's.

What's the problem? Shouldn't the 225hp turn a 26P prop @ 5800 RPM's Lastly, the motor runs great! The hull is in good shape.

Thanks in advance for your help!

M

[Backlash Ar]

Marcus, please clarify what you mean by...1" below on Jack Plate? Are you saying that the propshaft is 1" below the pad or ????

[Hawwg Hunter]

On the slidemaster on the Jack plate it's 1 inch below being flush with the the mount on the transom.

I just measured my prop to pad and the prop is 4" below the pad.

M

[Backlash Ar]

What kind of rpm's are you now turning at WOT, and is 5800 rpm's what you're trying to achieve?

[Hawwg Hunter]

Yes Sir! 5800 is the goal. Currently, WOT is 5000.

[Backlash Ar]

Ok, first off I think your engine is too low. Raise it up to 3.5" below the pad, run your rig and then adjust upward at 1/4" intervals until you find the sweet spot. For every inch you end up raising your engine you should see about a 200rpm increase and your rpm's should also increase by going down to a slightly smaller prop. Secondly I think you're turning a wheel that's just a little too big. Try a 25" Renegade instead of the 26" Raker. Thirdly, you're hauling around a lot of weight with two big fisherman, full wells, full tanks and a bunch of gear so be sure your load is balanced the best you can. I know there are others who won't agree but I think you can reach a point where too much setback becomes counter productive. However having said that, try the couple of things suggested first and give us your numbers and we can go from there. Hope this helps a little.

[Hawwg Hunter]

Backlash Ar,

Thanks a million! I had no idea that raising the motor would increase the RPM's that much.

M

[Backlash Ar]

Keep us informed and good luck. Hopefully you have a dealer close by who will let you run a 25" Renegade. B-T-W, when raising the engine up a 1/4" at a time be sure to keep your eye on the water pressure gauge and make sure it doesn't get below @15psi at it's lowest during WOT.

[Hawwg Hunter]

Thanks again!

M

[Tx 201]

A 26 can be a pretty big wheel to turn, even for the 225 under your conditions. I know a lot of guys love their three blade props, but some boats work better with a 4 blade. I would suggest trying a Trophy prop in the 24 range. I will bet it will solve you holeshot problems and get you in your rpm range, you might bump up against the rev limiter.

You may lose a mile or two per on the top end, but coming out of the hole so much faster you will still get to your spots sooner than you are now.

[Hawwg Hunter]

Is that 25" Renegade a 4 blade propeller?

M

[Hawwg Hunter]

I appreciate your comment TX 201.

M

[Backlash Ar]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hawwg Hunter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is that 25" Renegade a 4 blade propeller?

M</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes sir it is! And so is the Trophy but in order to use the Trophy you'll need to purchase a hub kit so it'll will fit your Rude.

[Hawwg Hunter]

so the setup is the same on a Rude as a Johnson, since mine is a Johnson. Please, forgive my ignorance. It's my first boat.

M

[Backlash Ar]

Yes sir, that's why they're called Johnny/Rudes. Also, please understand that you will not get your best results during this time of the year...the water and air temps are too hot plus the humidity will affect the results too. You'll get your max results in the early Spring or late Fall when the water and air temps are cooler, the humidity is lower, and there is just a slight ripple on the water. Do you have a GPS on your boat? The reason I ask is because you can't rely on your speedo for accurate info.

[Hawwg Hunter]

Okay Ben,

I've not been able to find a place to purchase the "skid plate" for the jack plate. Where might I find this? Can I get one online?

M

[Hawwg Hunter]

Gentlemen,

The Beast is on the Loose! I raised the motor to 3" below the pad, and I spoke w/ Jr from Pitstop Marine, who instructed me on a trick!!!!!!!!!

I'll explain after I get back from the barbershop!!! In short - 5500 RPM's and a scary hole shot.

M

[Pat Cella]

All right you've got me curious. Are you back from the barbershop yet?

Pat

[Hawwg Hunter]

Okay,

Jr. mentioned that he's seen a few instances where the carberator intakes will drop on a carberator which would cause power loss. He suggested that I pull the carb covers and push the hot foot all the way to the floor. All carbs should open in a perfect 90 degrees.

Well, all of my carbs were opening around 70 degrees. I made the adjustment, so they were all opening at 90 degrees. Both of the changes resulted in an amazing transfermation on my boat.

In the excitement, I did forget to mention that when I first dropped my boat in the water - it wouldn't start. Mind you, I started it up earlier that morning. I launched the Cobra and it wouldn't start, which has never happened. Long story short, the cap for the bendex (sp) cover just split. It's the cap for the starter. Does anyone know how/where I can purchse just the cap. The starter works fine.

Thanks a million!
Marcus

[Cleveland]

Bump The suspense is killing me....