Learning to drive - how to tell when you are getting on the edge?

[ssv1761982]

I have had my XB2003 - 225X for a year now. Due to weather, work, floods, more weather, and other crap, I have only had it out a few times by myself to learn how to drive. The season is over here in NE Ohio but I have got a little seat time lately with nobody else on the water.

Now that I feel much more comfortable running fast, how do I know when I am getting on the edge of too much?

It feels so good it is almost a false sense of security. My favorite prop so far is a 28 chopper that was down pitched a little and turned into a Knob Cut. It runs pretty good with an old 26 Trophy Plus too.

[catfish123]

Hi Dave......what type of rpm's and speeds are you getting from those props? Bob

[ssv1761982]

Knob was about 6600 = 85
Trophy Plus 7000 = 88

I know there is more left with both of these props. Those speeds are with just a little trim on a short stretch of water.

The Knob Cut really accelerates in the midrange like a rocket. When I had Todd work it I told him I wanted acceleration more than top end and boy oh boy, that is what it does. It is really easy to drive too. I might be able to raise the motor a little more for this prop too.

Hopefully the weather will be better next year and I can come over and run your props again.

[catfish123]

Dave, as always, you have a standing invitation to come over anytime and run my props. Just let me know when and your are more than welcome to stay at the camper. I'd say you are coming along real well with the speeds you are getting. Matt is getting around 91 mph with the 27 OT and the only thing holding him back on that one is the limiter. Bob

[ssv1761982]

Hiow do you know when to quit trimming?

The numbers I listed above were with just a little trim, you could feel the boat lifting and going faster with every bump of the trim. It was like it was locked in on rails. It acted like it just wanted more and more but with nobody else on the lake and the cold water we didn't want to take any chances.

Both of these props will go faster.

[mstine06]

Dave:

I would get the prop shaft to around even or an 1/8" above the pad. That is a good starting point... every boat runs different. I can run 1/2" to 3/4" above and my pad is a stock .060 lip. My dad measured it and it is really around .050" I think.

For example, I can get away with more height because I run light and without any trolling motor.

When you do that, run the boat 40-45 mph and start trimming it... you will start to feel the back end "walk". That will give you somewhat of a gauge.

On the high end... if the boat is leaning to the passenger side at all it needs to be trimmed more. You should get to the point that you hit the trim and you do NOT feel the nose come up. Usually that is a good spot to run or you can hit it one more time and usually get away with it, but no more than that.

I never go by a trim gauge in a boat. All boats are setup differently and all props, loads, etc are different. I am a firm believer that Allison's need to be driven by feel.

Also to get a real big top end number... When you are running fast you will feel a little bit of torque pulling to the right. Steer into the torque and then start to come back the other way. You will get to the point where there is 0 torque in the wheel and at that point everything is running true.

Good luck!

[xb03fs]

When mine don't seem to want more trim it will lay to the right with lower engine hieghts and/or a heavy load. Riunning really ight and at the upper end on engine hieghts I have tested it will surge/buck right. I think I have a pretty forgiving boat because I haven't hooked yet and for a 200 EFI with a 4 blade prop I think I am doing pretty good