Getting More Bow Lift on 86 189

[Hair Jig]

If a 23 pitch 4-blade won't lift the boat (no response from the trim) then you've got a serious problem that needs to be addressed by a Stratos dealer. They set up these boats on an everyday basis and "should" be able to immediately tell what the problem is and get you somewhere close on both engine height and prop selection. If this isn't a prop situation, then you've got something else WAY out of whack.

BTW .... watch those RPMs with the 23. I don't think it will rev it off the planet, but you never know.

And also ... you're running a 150 on a boat rated for a 200. The boat is heavy, and a 4-blade prop might carry the load better than a 3-blade prop. You generally lose a little top end (3-4 MPH) with the 4-blade, but the ride, handling, and overall versatility is sometimes better. A NorrisCraft, Bullet, and a few other boats handle a less-than-rated horsepower situation better than a Stratos because of the general hull geometry and obviously they are lighter hulls. You may have to work with this a little more than "normal" to get the right combination.

Let us know what happens and what your findings are. This particular situation has me very curious. Most of all ... hang in there and stay with this thing. It'll all come together eventually.

[elbob54]

I talked to Stratus right out the gate, The fellow I was refered too said he wasn't that in tune with my hull. ??? we talk about motor height and prop size he had no negative response to the 26 pitch prop. He did say the Prop shaft sould not be more than 3.5 to 4 inches below the pad. He sent me a picture of the same boat on plane.. BOW looked up and running good..

Like they say "IT's Personal Now" you can bet I'll be with this til it's figured out.

4 blade props has been on all the boats I've owned. Mainly for the handling aspect.

[rooster tail]

Im late on this , diffently try that 23 pitch (4 blade carries load better)
from experience. Move some of your tackle around too.

[hulapopr]

well,i would say ditch the laser 2 props,from my experience on the heavier boats they don't pick up the front very well unless you have extra cup added,and that usually knocks of top end rpm,so if they are already low you can't do that.

[elbob54]

Don't know much about the prop good or bad. What I do know is that it's a 25 pitch and the hole shot is a blink of an-eye your up.... 4500 rpms at 3/4 open....,with the bow down. Just had more cup added. I feel the RPMs are great just no lift. I will be testing a 23 4 blade in the next week or so I'll post the results. V'R Bob

[hulapopr]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by elbob54 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Don't know much about the prop good or bad. What I do know is that it's a 25 pitch and the hole shot is a blink of an-eye your up.... 4500 rpms at 3/4 open....,with the bow down. Just had more cup added. I feel the RPMs are great just no lift. I will be testing a 23 4 blade in the next week or so I'll post the results. V'R Bob</td></tr></table>
have you not ran it wot?if not you need to to see what it will do,you may not be going fast enough to get it on the pad the way your wanting,that last 700-800 rpm will make a big difference,at 4500 your trying to lift the hull with just the prop,and that one won't do that,need to get some air under the boat.

[elbob54]

A friend of mine had a bravo 1,,,,,4 blade prop off a 225 mercury. Its a 22 pitch. I bolted it on seems to fit and plan to try it out Friday. It said mercruiser on the prop? Can anyone see a reason I shouldn't try this prop? V/R Bob

[elbob54]

When running this boat I try and find a "bow happy spot" so I can open it up for a couple minutes but the digg of the Bow makes it such a uncomfortable feeling I back it off. I owned a new 1992 17" 135hp astro,, 20 foot 200hp winner Bass boat, 20 foot 200hp glasstream. a 1994 18 foot rajun cajun 150hp. Never ever experienced this before. The 20' winner bow dugg in on a turn about through us in the water so I raised the engine up and went to a 4 blade prop, no more issues.
(someone had the engine to low) But I hear what you're saying hulapopr about getting some lift assist from air . V/R Bob

[rchavis]

Bob the stratos 189 should run like the other boats with the v6 motors ( winner ..cajun & Glasstream ) the two with the 200 hp motors back then would use a 25-p laser 11 prop and the 150 with a 23-p prop . They where the prop of the time from Mercury . A laser 2 has lift but not like the tempest plus . The only other thing could be a mis is your boat is water logged ....may be ? How long have you had the boat and is storage out side uncover ?
With the Bravo1 it is going to get bader with the prop with out vent holes to help the motor to get on plane and a bigger prop than the tempest plus ?
Also have the motor been break end and check if it will run up to max rpm's

[rchavis]

Let's us know about the Bravo 1 prop .I heard some of the guys runnig them with vent holes and Blue print the prop on the strokers and bullets and the STRATOS 294 with the 3L motors with 28 to 30 pitch props as these props pick up the hole boat ...stern and bow and usually ran's above pad ?

[elbob54]

Richard not sure I'm following you on the bravo 1 explanation. Did note vent holes in the prop. prop p/n 48831910. My thoughts is If it fits its okay to run it?? The boat does not fill water logged It belong to family that bought it new. Should this prop improve my lift and still maintain a run quality V/R Bob

[rchavis]

I dont know , i never ran one . You have to try and see ,every boat and set up is a littler diff. . They where made for outdrives boats . Then the fast to go guys and prop shops start to play with them or work them for there boats then Mercury came out with the Bravo1xs for the bass boat and skiffs or bay boats ?
Let us know how it come out .

[elbob54]

Bravo 1 prop lift was good RPMs 5400 wot, I might toy with raising the motor 1/4 later on but as for now I'm good with that. Thanks to all V/R Bob

[201pro]

23 or 24" tempest will I've you everything you need in lift. Just depends on the weight of your rig to determine which pitch. Probably will be the 23.

[rchavis]

Its to much prop you not at the max rpm range and when the summer heat comes it will drop rpms more and the motor will be lugging . Yep i would be on the look out for a good tempest plus 23-pitch . May be the shop that was leting you used the props may have one later ?

[elbob54]

I'm kinda getting confused a bet. A 23 pitch tempest is larger than a 22 pitch bravo 1, is it not? would I not turn less RPMs with a 23 pitch? Currently the motor is down as far as it will go. I lowered it too try and get lift with 3 blade props I was using. I can come up a little I believe. This should increase my RPMS in my way of thinking. Bravo 1 verses Tempest whats the truth? V/R Bob

[Les Young]

You need to go to the props forum & talk to Mark or Mike. They should be able to help you. They know their stuff & will steer you in the right direction.

[Hair Jig]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Les Young &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You need to go to the props forum & talk to Mark or Mike. They should be able to help you. They know their stuff & will steer you in the right direction. </td></tr></table>

Good advice.

Also ... you should NOT have that motor all the way down. Raise it up to 3.5" below the pad and make your prop selection from there.

[elbob54]

Hair Jig as you may recall in prevous post I was trying every possible combination of things . The last thing prior to this Bravo 1 4 blade 22 I tried was a 25 pitch 3 blade with the motor all the way down. I got this bravo 1 prop put it on the engine an dumped it in the water. FREE to use option to buy for $100 if satisfied. I tried it and for the first time my bow came up and I was able to run the boat at WOT. Improvement at last... At WOT i'm doing around 5400. However, the motor is setting about 5 to 6 inches below the pad. Once I raise the motor to 3.5 to 4 inches below the pad I should be good. I'm sure the tempest prop is great,, appears to be a popular choise. With That said can anyone talk positive or negative about the Bravo 1 I have on the boat right now. V/R Bob

[rchavis]

Sorry to confused you but no. The bravo1 is a larger Dia . prop than the tempest plus . I was saying to use a tempest plus 23-pitch which will have 1# inch more pitch than the 22 inch pitch . And the prop is about 2 pounds heavier . And in my first post about the bravo1 most of them from the factory dont have vent holes , because they are made for out drives motors and outboards motors need the vent holes to help them to wine up to rpms to get out of the hole ? If the one you have some prop shop has drill them in the prop ?