more speed?

[stratafisher]

hey guys im currently running a 285pro xl with a 25 pitch prop im getting about 63 mph gps with just me and a 1/4 tank of gas. im hiting 5500rpm any way i could get a little more speed out of her?

[JR19]

Your speed number is about right for that rig. You could add a 6" jackplate and send your prop off and get it balanced and blueprinted. You should see a gain of 2 -3 mph 4mph at best...If you have the prop balanced and blueprinted and get a new jackplate and have some one else install it you are looking at 700$bones or more for 2-3mph.

You did not say what motor you had. Find out what the max rpm is. I will assume it is higher than 5500. A jackplate would let you fine tune your set up to get the max out of it. You can pick up a used plate and do the job yourself for $100-150 or go new and get it done at the dealer for $300 plus. A jackplate would also improve any ill handling issues (chine walk).


I have a boat that is very similar to yours with about the same speed number. When I first got it several years ago I was wanting to get more speed out of it. Then I realized no matter what I done all the 200,225 and 250s were still going to go around me. If I want faster I will go with a bigger hull and motor but I like my ride and have no intentions of going bigger. I can hold my own with all the 150s I have seen and can pull away from a few...but there is nothing wrong with getting everything out of what you have got.

[stratafisher]

thanks for the info. ill try a jack plate and see if that helps im running a 150 yamaha 4 stroke

[JR19]

A jack plate will let you fine tune your set up. You can adjust the plate up or down and find the sweet spot for the best hole shot and top end speed. Anytime you add a plate you need to have a water pressure guage. I am not familiar with the spec on a 4 stroke motor. You will need to know the max rpm you can turn and the minimum water pressure the motor needs at wide open throttle.

[Musky Mike]

I'm running a F150 on a Stratos 285. 25' prop is too big, you need a 23' prop and run it to 6000-6100 rpm. Set a 6' jackplate at 3.75 below the pad.

[stratafisher]

what prop are you running? right now im just running a yamaha standerd prop

[Musky Mike]

I'm running a reworked (by Mark) 23' Yamaha Pro-series with the vent holes expoxed closed and re-drilled to 3/8. If you have your choice, run a 23' Mercury Tempest Plus.

[StratosNCO]

a 25 might be a little big for a 150. try going to a 23.

[fishnfool38]

I am running a 25 on a 150 intruder 3.5'' under and it is hitting 6000rpm and water not even half way up on the cowling. It is a custom prop but @ 6.5'' below pad it was turning 5500-5600 before adding 6'' jackplate. I am awaiting a 26 to try.

[stratafisher]

what kind of speed are you getting?

[fishnfool38]

63.8 gps . plugged into the prop calculator that is about 19% slip if I done it correctly. I'm totally confused because this is what I was turning without the jp with lower rpms. So on goes the search. If I don't sell first I have a couple wanting it real bad and the wife is the one that keeps calling. Hmmmm wonder if he wants to trade the wife for the boat LOL. He's a lucky man!

[lkhartwl]

you may want to think twice about the wife offer, she want him the heck out of the house and knows he may kill himself in the boat to get the INS money

[fishnfool38]

good point LOL!

[Lockjaw]

Your tach is off or you are slipping.

[stratafisher]

im getting 63 now with the 25' so will going to a smaller prop really help?

[fishnfool38]

Slipping big time /tach is correct . I'm not sure if it will help i'm not at all familar with fourstrokes. It would definetly be worth trying if you can find a loaner.

[Musky Mike]

From experience...23' Tempest plus or Yamaha Pro-Series. 23' TR04 will work and handle better, but will lose 2 mph.