Should I move my motor?

[Jpaul]

I have a 1995 140SL with a 135 Merc. With a Laser 2 22p prop I am turning 6000 rpm at 56 mph, and the chine walk is bad. I tried a friends 24p 4 blade turbo prop and the rpm's droped to 5750 at 60 mph, the boat planed easier, and the chine walk was less severe. With everything level, the prop shaft is five inches below the pad. Will raising the motor help with chine walk? All runs were with me, my son, full gas, all our fishing gear, and with a gps. I do not have a jack plate. So, should I move the motor up a bolt hole, or put in more seat time and learn how to drive it?

[PSM207]

In most cases, raising the engine will reduce the walk. Somewhere between 3 and 3-1/2 inches for the prop shaft is probably best. Have you thought about a jackplate? I have found that setting the engine back also helps. Might as well do both at one time. My Skeeter was bad for walk, until I added the jackplate.

[Jpaul]

Can I put a jackplate on a fish and ski? Seems like I read on here somewhere that it isnt recommended. If it will help with the chine walk Ill do it. I need to be able to plane quickly and at a lower speed, for pulling the kids on tubes, the 4 blade 24p prop was a noticeble difference for that.

[PSM207]

Jason - The 140SL looks very similar to the current SL180 model. I shot you an instant message.

[jerry2]

I have 2002 SL180 with 115 Yamaha and it has a 19 pitch prop and i find that my hole shot is a little slow would a 17 pitch work well for this?

[Al from Canada]

Welcome to the BBC Jerry.....glad to have you join us.

What rpms are you turning at wot with the 19" that you have now?
The 17 would definitely improve the holeshot but might give too many rpms at wot. What prop are you running?

[jerry2]

4900 rpm and yamaha pro series hp prop

[PSM207]

I would consider a lower pitch prop for your application. It should improve holeshot, plus put the engine rpm in a better WOT range.

[PSM207]

Jerry - which 115 do you have?

[PSM207]

Instead of purchasing a new prop, you might consider having it worked by Mark. He should be able to reduce the pitch, plus blueprint it. This would be considerably less than a new prop. He does great work.

[jerry2]

115 v4 2 stroke

[jasonb01]

When I bought my SL180 with the 4 stroke 150, it had a 17 pitch prop. Holeshot was remarkable, but it was Very slow top end. Also, my rev limiter would cut out at WOT. Took it to dealer and he put a 21m on it and holeshot is still pretty quick, but top end is around 60. I know you have a smaller motor, but I would think they were pretty close. I may just be all wrong. In that case, disregard my entire posting. Good luck, you'll get it fixed up right if you stay on here.

[Jpaul]

I m going to go with a 24p 4 blade prop, the only question now is which one, and I hope in the near future to install a jack plate. With the 4 blade the bow rose very little getting on plane.