Skeeter 185 flats Boat Set Up Info

[Ba$$n]

My buddy has this rig and it is the worse riding boat I've ever been it. Its fast but rides like being on a rodeo bull. It came with a 12" jack plate.

Looking for set up info from other owners. He has a 150 Vmax and 25" pitch yammi prop.

[Skinnyside]

Flats boat? What model Skeeter? Three blade prop?

[Skeet'r89]

Being a 185, the 12" jackplate is probably to large.(to much setback) I could be wrong. What kind of rough ride?

[Ba$$n]

The boat came from Skeeter with the 12" plate and I thought it was too much as well.

The boat has a violent up and down motion unless you are at or near WOT. To me the prop and jack plate combo can't hold the bow up. It gets on plane fast and then the bow drops and this action just repeats itself. The ride just beats you up even on calm water.

The combination of the jack plate set back and height, and prop is just wrong for this hull.

[Skeet'r89]

Do not trim up as much. Take off with the trim set all the way down and as speed pics up trim up a little, then a little more and so on. If the boat starts porposing (thats what you are explaining) trim back down some. Also maybe you need to lower the motor a bit. What is the pad to prop center line measurement?

[Skinnyside]

Sounds like the jack plate is set up too high. I might have this exact boat, so I am hoping to hear back about the model. Mine rides good, I would not say great, but it does not feel like I am riding a bull. It is not a true "flats" boat, simply a non-skid covered bass boat. Here is a pic for comparison:

[Ba$$n]

That's the rig, same trailer as well. What is the prop shaft height and prop type and pitch?

[Skinnyside]

It has a 25M original 3 blade prop. I will have to measure the prop height tomorrow when I get it out of the garage (I cannot lower it in the garage due to a concrete setback). When I am trimmed up too much I can easily recreate the condition you wrote about. It just lifts up the bow and then falls. This hull is the same as the newer ZX190 which will allow you to do some research on their setups. That is what I did and was actually able to raise the plate another 1 inch from where it was and gained a bit more top end.

I would recommend dropping the engine height an inch and see what happens. Maybe you guys don't carry the weight up front that the previous owner did?

Sent you an IM

[Neilslure]

My Skeeter hates to be over trimmed at low speeds.