Prop Help

[intimidator1991]

I just bought a 92 Dale Earnhardt Intimidator with a 92 merc 200 and i need some help with prop selection. As of right now the prop i have on the boat has a decent hole shot but the topend and rpms are really low im getting at wot 62 mph @ 4300 rpms the motor is alittle modified. And i was curious what kind of prop i should try out to get my rpms up and get a good top end and good hole shot, also what kind of setup should i have on the boat right know it has the stock Gambler jp and it is set about a 1/2 inch down from the top. Thanks in advance for all the help i really appreciate it.

[21XDC]

What prop do you have? Something sounds wrong with the motor.

[intimidator1991]

running a 29p right now awesome everything but topend i took the motor and it had it all checked and it came back fine i had a 3 blade on it when i bought the boat not sure what kind and i took it off because it chine walked really bad.

[ThunderCat]

you might need to drop down in pitch. how was the motor modified? 4300 rpms, is really low... you what is the max rpms?

[intimidator1991]

I'm not sure of the mods it was like that when i bought it 4300 rpms is the max i got out of it and the guys at 2.5 merc performance section said i should be turning around 5800 rpms.

[Al from Canada]

5800 would make sense......I can't imagine a 29 pitch prop working on a 200 Merc unless it had a lot of mods. 4300 is way too low, you need to try a 25 pitch and see where that brings the rpms....would think that should bring you up to about 5300/5400 which is still too low but at least would make more sense.

[John Jackson]

Probably the only bassboat a 29" pitch and 200 HP would be right on is an XB2002 Allison. I think your speed will also go up with the lower pitch prop. YOu are not even in the main power band.

[low slung cruiser]

what bothers me is he said it would get up on plane OK....

[intimidator1991]

Thats what im thinking to, the 29p came off my dads 91 Intimidator when it had a 91 mariner 200 and would run in high 70s low 80s all the time so we figured this motor would be about the same, but theres not another Gambler exactley the same as a another why would the motors on them be any different lol. Now with my dad he has 97 225 merc with a 26p trophy so im gona try it and see how it does but im still not for sure about jp height?

[intimidator1991]

Oh yeah its got a good holeshot even when it is 95 degrees outside and the boat runs fine with it just doesnt want to go fast even handles like camaro.

[t_nipper_74]

25p Tempest or TRO4

[low slung cruiser]

after re-reading, i think its your JP...before i got my hydraulic JP, my boat came with the motor sitting WAY LOW on a manual plate...even though i knew it was low, i still ran it a couple times to see....
She would jump out of the whole, but had NO top end...
i'd be willing to guarantee thats 2/3 your problem...
cause if something was wrong with the motor, you'd notice it at plane off...