First drive

[Unimog]

Had a warm day here today so I took the ol' Pro out for the first time. This thing is just off the charts! I took it easy all afternoon especially the first two hours to break in the engine properly. I couldn't believe how easy it stays on plane even down around 2000rpm. I was mostly in the 2000-2600 rpm range for the first hour then went up toward 3200 in the next hour varying the rpm a lot since I wasn't on a big lake. With around 2.2 hours I crept the rpm up a bit more and was seeing 62mph at 4500rpm on short runs.

I started seeing what everyone talks about, at 50+ i was starting to get up to where I actually had to do some driving. Nothing big but I was glad to get a small taste of it and start getting onto the technique.

The first thing that needs tweaking is the prop. I have a hydromotive QIV OB SST 27. It was slipping a lot trying to get out of the hole but this is with all 8 PVS holes open. Think I should plug 4 and try again and if so which 4? Once on plane however look out! Still taking it easy it would surge forward awfully quick!

Another question, is everyone using the 2 degree wedges?

[dspencer]

What motor are you running? If its a Merc and you have 2 hours its time to let that thing eat!

If it were mine I'd have it doing some hard runups to at least 5700 rpms and as long as you don't leave it at any one rpm's for more than a few minutes you should be able to run it normally.

[jimbob88]

Didn't start needing to 'drive' till low 70's. What's your setup? I'm still learning. lol. Blew my engine so 87 is my best and needing to raise motor n play. Were you overtrimmed at 50ish? Jim

[F150owner]

Wedges? Yes, mine came with 'em, so the dealer added them when the motor was rigged.

For the PVS holes on the hydromotive, plug two opposing holes that are closest to the exhaust end of the prop (the back of the prop). I run a 29 in the same prop. It was a pain to get the Merc PVS plugs in but it seems to work well. Got this info from Todd at Hydromotive when mine was slipping just a tad.

By keeping the nose down while breaking in the boat, you're actually learning how the hull handles intimately. It helps you learn what happens when you over correct. The boat requires very little driver input once you've got it balanced. It drives like its on a rail. Be patient with your self and it will come to you. Have fun and enjoy!

[RoadrashPaul]

Guys he is running a 250 SHO so his setup is going to be different. I would try to get ahold of C&O and see how they had theirs set up.

[allisonxtb]

Dang fun aint it!

[AllyFishing]

You got open water in Missouri??

Fun boat, eh?

[Bass Commander]

2 degree wedges, yes. As Duane mentioned, sounds like you need to plug a few opposing holes. You may or may not ever be fully satisfied with any prop...thats part of owning this boat!

Just talked to my Mother in Law in Rogersville, Mo...68 degrees today??

[Landar]

I am quite satisfied with a Bravo 1 XS.

Unimog, you will like your boat better everytime you use it. Mine fits me like an old recliner now.

[Unimog]

Thanks so much for the replies all! So I should start by plugging 2 holes? I noticed they were going to be a pain to install. The Yamaha T1 prop the SHO typically comes with is totally unvented FWIW.

I played with different motor heights and trims while running around at 40 or so. It seemed like I had it trimmed up pretty far which is why I wondered about the wedges. I'd like to level out the hull and see where on my trim gauge the motor is level as well. Then I'd like to mark the jackplate gauge where it's even with the pad. Maybe this way I'd have a point of reference.