1999 Intimidator 2000 set up help

[jbgambler]

I was curious what some of the set ups you guys are running on these boats (motor height, prop and prop pitch etc.) I have a 99 Intimidator 2000, with a 225 Pro xs turning a 26 trophy plus which is not enough I know, I'm on the rev limiter at 6250 rpm. I know I at least need a 27. I ran a 26 fury, rpms are good with the fury but shes pretty squirlly over about 75mph and not much trim angle. I got the same problem with the trophy. I know there is more in the boat, I feel like the motor is high, I had 95 intimidator 19'3" before this one with the pro xs on it and I could run wide open and fully trimmed out and only had a little chine walk nothing crazy, 79.6 mph tx load, but this boat has different feel. Any info would help Thanks

[Gambler248]

How is your water pressure at top end? How is your hole shot? What is it like with a full tournament load and partner? Do you have a hydraulic jackplate?

I had a 98 Intimidator 2000 with the 225 EFI. I had to drive it like crazy but the RPM's were at 5900. One thing that can be done is a torque tab on the skeg if you don't have one. When they came from the factory with a 225 EFI had a torque tab put on before it left the factory to keep from having an air pocket form around the lower unit and blow out.

Also, the stock setup is a 26", but most likely back then it would have be a power tech prop.

[JAZII]

My 2001 Intimidator 2000 with Merc 225 EFI came from the factory with flat anode and the torque tab welded into the skeg, and came with the PowerTech TRO4-27 pitch.

JAZII

[Nick H]

I have nearly the same set up as you. Running a 225 Pro xs with a 26" Trophy Plus standard factory prop, Bob's jack plate on a 2000 20' Intimidator. Mine gets a bit squirrelly at 66 GPS, but I can do 80 with another tourney angler, although it's tough to find water that smooth on the lakes I fish to do it. I'd rather put along at 4900 rpms, go 60 mph and save $$$ on gas. I have no special tabs or skeg add ons. I tried a 27" prop and the hole shot was terrible! It was pretty cool on top end, but I had to get someone to jump on the bow to get it on plane against the wind! I think that 26" prop is probably your best all around standard prop. I tried the 3 bladed Merc prop and it didn't perform as well as the 4 bladed one. Good luck.

[jbgambler]

water pressure good, holeshot is good with all props, I haven't run a full tourney load yet, I have run 1/2 tank gas, passenger live well full, and moved a little weight around; Didn't help much! No hydraulic jack plate, I believe its the factory 10" set back jack plate, the one with screws holding the top cover on.

When I test drove this boat with the 99 merc 225 efi w/ the 26 trophy plus, I could hold the boat wide open, fully trimmed out and drove well. Did not gps but speedo was pegged on 80. I'm not 100% sure the pro xs got put in the same holes when it was hung on the boat. Thats my concern about engine height, I may be too low or too high.

Another question; is the 1999 and 2005 intimidator the same hull just minus the trim tabs. Reason for this question is a friend of a friend is running a 2005 with pro xs with 27 trophy and hydraulic plate and he claims it drives great and running low to mid 80's.

Thanks

[Nick H]

I would believe the trim tabs get him up and moving. After I get on plane with the 27", I can go faster than 80 also, but it's not practical on a boat without the tabs. One could get a 27" prop cupped to help with holeshot I imagine. I'm just not a speed freak on Lake of the Ozarks!