Prop Suggestion

[ohioskeeter]

What do you guys with Stratos 201XL 2008 models with Etec HO 250's run?
Thanks

[Blue Steel]

High 70's....propped right, low 80's.... 27 Tempest is a good one, worked by Mark Croxton

[ohioskeeter]

It runs low 70's with 25 pitch Raker II. It gets really bad chim when I get that fast. Need to learn how to drive it. It gets really quick up to 4300RPM and almost seems like to prop is to small. I'm not sure how to judge it. Never had a stratos. Really fast boat hope I can learn to drive it.

Thanks

[ddk]

I have a 25 Tempest and 27 Tempest and run them on a 6 inch fixed jack plate. I use the 25 Tempest most of the time. I'm running a heavy boat ( four batteries, tackle and two 200 pounders) When the live wells and gas tank are full I run the 25 at 73 mph at 5600 RPM with no walk at all. The 25 will get me out of the hole reasonably well. If I run the 27 with that load, I have problems getting out of the hole but will get 74 at 5400 RPM as sold as a rock. With one person and empty live wells, I ran the 27 to 79 mph at 5600 RPM. I cannot get 5800 RPM with my 27 Tempest. The boat was stable until 79 and then started to walk. With one person and empty live wells the 25 will only get me to 75 mph at 5800 RPM. I think a prop in between the 25 and 27 is my answer. A worked 27 is probably what I need to do. When I'm low on fuel both props will get me out of the hole fine. When I first got it, I couldn't drive it over 72 mph before it was walking all over the place. I raised the motor and it took all the walk away.

[ohioskeeter]

I don't understand, how does raising the motor eliminate the walk? I would really take the lower speed and lose the walk. Also, does your etec get up to 4300rpm really quick? Mine winds out real quick almost like it is getting ready to blow out a prop (it gets to 4300rpm in about 1-2 seconds). Thanks for your help and suggestions.

[ddk]

I'm not smart enough to tell you why raising the motor helps with the walk, it just does. I haven't really watched when accelerating to 4300 rpm's. I know this boat and motor is quick to accelerate. It is more like a sports car compared to my buddies Z21 250XS which is like a sedan.

[Whitaker201]

I run a 27 temp+ on a 6" jp. I can run mid to upper 70's with 2guys ready to fish. Last year I ran 75 with 3 200# guys and a 1/2tank of gas. I have got up to 82.5 with an extremely light load and running down the Ohio River and 80 back up it, but that was solo.

[Lea]

ddk is right!!! It works. Just watch your water pressure and rpms!!!

[ohioskeeter]

What is good water pressure or what should I be cautious of?
Thanks

[ep72]

To illustrate why raising the motor helps chine walk, imagine your arm as the lower unit. Now stick your arm up to your elbow into the water as your running along, causes drag and friction. Now try it again and just stick your pointer finger in the water......lot less drag and resistance without your arm buried in the water.

[ohioskeeter]

Good illustration! I would think the motor adds stability the more it is in the water thus reducing the chin walk but this theory must be wrong. Thanks

[ep72]

LU design and blade geometry/ profile do that.

Think of riding a unicycle with a piece of plywood strapped to your back on a windy day.......kinda the same as a boat trying to stay up on the last bit of pad with a lower unit set deep in the water dragging behind.