wanting to walk at 5200

[iberia bullet]

My name is Beau Watkins,

I have a 95 20XD center console. with a 225 mercury optimax with 12 inches of total set back from the transome. The prop shaft is 1.5" below the pad. I was originally running a 28 trophy with a slower hole shot. Once i would get her up to 4800 she would want to start walking. I just recently replaced the prop with a 27" fury. The hole shot it excellent however now when i get to 5200 she is wanting to walk again. Two trolling motor batteries are on the left hand side, and my start battery and oil resevoir are on the right side. The water pressure im getting is between 15-20 also. Please forward me any suggestions or other people i should contact.

Thank you very much for you time

[21XDC]

Welcome to BBC... You need some more seat time to get the rig to it's potential.

Read these two links.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/...00000

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=134300

[iberia bullet]

i assure you it is not an operator error. Would a torque tab assist in my efforts ? Or would it be in my best interests to lower my motor mounting ?

[21XDC]

The fury is only 14 inchs in diameter and needs to run deeper than most other props, but 1 1/2 in below should be fine. Try lowering it 1/2 in.

[BigCranks]

Boat balance is a big part too. I just got into the bullet world last fall and I still can't drive mine to the full potential, but I've learned a lot about the differences between this and all the other hulls I've owned. The little adjustments to the left are a big part. I can drive mine up into the mid upper 70s, but that's about all I can control now. I've had some guys that are a lot better behind the wheel than me run to 80 and it felt like the boat was sitting on the trailer.I've learned a bunch but still have a long way to go. Keep at it,

[BigCranks]

Sorry, forgot to mention, I've started keeping a 4 ft level in the boat just to check balance. Different partners with different weights, you'll be surprised how much it helps to keep the weight as neutral as you can.

[Bulleteer]

Are u running a sportsmaster, cle or torque master lower? If your lower has low water pickup, my knowledge would tell me your way too low. I have a 95 20xd with 225 Pro max and a Titus modded Cle lower and fish at 1-1/4 above and play lite at 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 above. At 1-1/4 above with 2 aboard loaded I can run low 80's. Lite mid to upper 80's. If you have lwp raise it up to at least even with the pad and start from there. Hope this helps.

Gary

[canadabullet]

How long have you had the boat ??? When you say --- wanting to walk at 5200--- It sure sounds like you need more seat time to learn how to keep her balanced on the pad... At around 60 mph all bass boats get up on the pad and require driver input corrections to keep the boat balanced on the pad.... My advice is more seat time and /or get someone that has lots of experience with a bass boat that is capable of 70 plus to drive it , just to see if it is a boat issue or a driver issue.... I feel that if the boat is new to you , all you need is a couple of tanks of fuel through it and you will find the chine walk magically will become a non issue... good luck...

[bayoubullet]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bulleteer &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Are u running a sportsmaster, cle or torque master lower? If your lower has low water pickup, my knowledge would tell me your way too low. I have a 95 20xd with 225 Pro max and a Titus modded Cle lower and fish at 1-1/4 above and play lite at 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 above. At 1-1/4 above with 2 aboard loaded I can run low 80's. Lite mid to upper 80's. If you have lwp raise it up to at least even with the pad and start from there. Hope this helps.

Gary</td></tr></table>+10000 i think you are to low

[Hydrilla Gear]

What color is your Bullet

[Mike85mph]

My guess is that you have a standard gearcase if your propshaft is 1-1/2 inches BELOW the pad and only getting 15-20 pounds of watqer pressure. That's plenty too keep the motor cool, but I would think it would be buried. Let us know if you have something different. If you are running 5200 rpm's with the motor that low and getting chine walk then the motor is still too low. Just raise it a little and watch the water pressure and be sure you keep 12 pounds at top speed. Just a quarter inch should show some improvement. To be of better help we need to know the gearcase, and amount of setback.

[iberia bullet]

The gear case is a stock gear case and I have 12 inches of total set back from the transome. Its my dads boat and he has been competitive bass fishing for 35 years .... We live in south Louisiana's bayou country and play with the hydrolic jack plate quite often, not every one has the luxury of running in 35 feet of water .... 4 foot is deep for us at some points. Thank you guys very much for the input .....we will try raising the hydrolic plate to even with the pad and start from there next time we run.

[Mike85mph]

Just for your info, with a low water pickup Sportmaster gearcase, I can run my motor propshaft (2000 model ProMax 225) at up to 2 inches ABOVE the pad on the boat. It currently sits at 1-3/4 inches above... loaded to fish. With the standard gearcase I know you can't go that high, but your proposal to go level with the pad sounds possible. Just watch your water pressure.

[Largemouthlou]

Like Mike said be very carful here!!! If you have a stock gear case without the top 3 or 4 water intakes plugged you may suck air.. Watch the temp guage and water pressure closely..

[iberia bullet]

thanks guys we're fishing a tournament this evening actually and we will raise it up t leel and if there are improvements which there should be .... i will have to look into getting the low water pick up .... and ill be sure to get back with you guys ASAP about how things go


Thanks Beau