Just picked up my new 183 Elite a couple of weeks back and have finally completed the break in. I have a 175 Pro XS on the back with a 10" manual jack plate and a 24 Fury. Seems to be turning good RPM's at 5750 but is very squirrly and I am losing water pressure. Where should I set the plate at? Any ideas on where to start prop shaft to pad at?
Thank you much.
I am envious of that combo! I bet that's fun to drive.
If it were mine I'd be measuring to be sure my top water inlet wasn't more than 1 1/4" above pad which is probably prop shaft 3 1/2" below.
Pop
Take it down to 3 3/4 first then adjust from there as needed. The 183 hull likes more prop in the water thats my opinion. Post a picture of it: we love seeing them.
See ignorance daily
Congrats on the 183. That is a great boat!!!!
Thanks for the input everyone. I will give that a try Butch and let you know how it goes. I will also try and get some photos posted next week.
Have a great weekend.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bassin butch »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Take it down to 3 3/4 first then adjust from there as needed. The 183 hull likes more prop in the water thats my opinion. Post a picture of it: we love seeing them.
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He certainly knows the hull better than I do.
I'd go with his 3 3/4.
My main point was to make sure you're low enough to have your top water inlet covered. I'm always more focused on that measurement.
Pop
I probably should explain myself. I'm more familiar with hulls where you always wanted to run as high as possible. With a standard lower unit that was never high enough so I always strived to be as high as possible.
These hulls are different.
I've always used propshaft to pad ratio as discussed here when running lower units with low water pickups. A respected mentor taught me a little different spin on it when using a standard lower unit with no low water pickups. It has served me well and proven to be spot on several times. I don't take any credit for it, but it sure has worked for me.
Everything has variables, different props will affect what height you should run your engine, but the theory is........
Coming off the back of the boat water should rise approx 1/8" per inch of set back.
So If you have a 10" jackplate your objective is to have your top water inlet no more than 10 1/8s or 1 1/4" above pad.
If you have an 8" plate you want your top water inlet 8 1/8s or 1" above pad, etc.
The number you need to know is how far above your propshaft your top water inlet is.
With a 10" plate if your top water inlet is 5" above your propshaft:
5" from propshaft to top water inlet minus 1 1/4" for water rising = 3 3/4"
So in theory with that set up if your propshaft is 3 3/4" below pad your top water inlet is 1 1/4" above pad and should be safely covered with water.
The propshaft ratio is a measurable bi-product of the real important thing to me,
....where is my top water inlet ???? Even with a newer lower unit with holes in the cone and the side, you don't want to be sucking air through the top inlet.
That's the highest I want to run. If the boat actually does better a 1/4 or 2 lower, so much the better!
So to really answer your question I'd ask you what is the distance from your propshaft to your top water inlet?
With your 10" plate, subtract 1 1/4" from that and don't run any higher than that.
Start there and check performance working down.
That probably sounds different from what most might say, but it has always worked for me.
Pop
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bassin butch »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Take it down to 3 3/4 first then adjust from there as needed. The 183 hull likes more prop in the water thats my opinion.
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ditto
Great input MHA,it sounds as though Butch and you are both coming to the same conclusion with a slightly different formula.
Now, on to what my water test was like yesterday...... I set my plate so that shaft to pad is at 3 3/4". Hole shot is a little sluggish and I hit 59
MPH on GPS with some moderate chine walking. Two people in the boat with full gear and 2/3 tank of fuel. The boat also wants to porpoise pretty bad when going into RH or LH corners even when trimming down.
Should I continue to drop down further or try something other than a 24 Fury?
It sure is nice to have a resource out here to pick everyone's brain based on their experience and knowledge. Thanks.
Go down to 4". Check out the links to tests on your rig. 62-63 top end is what you should see.
http://www.mercurymarine.com/e...D=134&
http://www.bwbmag.com/output.cfm?ID=1685035
If this boat is a Stato/Champ? The new plant is jacking the Outboards way high. I pointed out the difference to one of the BBC boat sponsors that had a Champ and A Strato Champ on the lot. He and his tech agreed "Boy Flippn has jacked them up high". Makes me wonder if the know what thay are doing????
PS: I think a 23 pitch tempest plus is in your best interest.
See ignorance daily
Thanks Butch I will give that a try before switching out props.
On anoher note, I know there has been a lot of banter and bashing of the boats since PE and Stratos incorporated them into the line so I am not trying to start a big debate but.........I don't care what the sticker on the side of this boat reads the ride in rough water screams all CHAMPION. This boat takes on chop and wakes better than a lot of 21 footers I have been in. This in fact was the main reason I made my purchase, spped in a boat is way in my past.
Hey I googled your town and : Man you are in a great area! Smallies?????
I thought if you were close I could run a prop up.
Are you going to fish Slopfest 2011 on Buffulo lake?
My grandson is fishing this T with me, would be nice to have a Vwing brother there.
See ignorance daily
I managed to boat a few smallies yesterday up around the Hayward area and they are definitely my favorite species to chase.
No Slopfest for me but a few of these all Toad Tournaments do sound interesting.
Thanks for the offer but I do have a Dealer close by that has been very helpful with my sickness of pursuing the Black Bass.
More data later.
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