1996 Champion with a 225 Mariner Magnum EFI, Trophy 25" prop, hydraulic jack plate.
Can't get but 5000 rpm and 60 mph on Hummingbird GPS out of her...and she runs perfect and strong....just serivced by Travis Marine. Runs best with jackplate all the way up and slightly over 25% trim...any more trim and she starts getting Squirelly.
Just bought her and not sure what to do.
Boat rated for a 200, but this has the 225 motor it came with new...and sholud run much faster.
When boats run good, they get squirrely. I would think that boat would be a blast to drive, but might be a bear also...
Welcome!!! You'll get answers here!!
First, what is your prop to pad measurement? Have zero idea what "jackplate all the way up" means.
All good boats will get "squirrely" when they climb on pad and prop torque gets involved. Only seat time can fix that! You have to learn to drive to prevent squirrely, aka Chine Walk.
It has a hydraulic jack plate that when it has the motor raised as far up as it will go, the center of hub is 3 1/2" below the lowest point of the hull under the drain plug.
And it gets dangerously squirelly at 60 mph and 5000 rpm, lol !!
Never had a "learning to drive it curve" with my 1986 Ranger at 65mph.
stop right now, your rig will never be stable seeing as it is overpowered, you should ditch out of it asap. As a public service I will take it off your hands for a small fee..
kidding of course.
you are into a whole other level of performance with a 225 on a 19' champ than almost any ranger will ever see. find an experienced boat driver to go with you, and teach you how to drive the boat. is yours the 3.0 225 or the 2.5??
someone may correct me here, but if it is the 3 liter you should be able to swing a larger prop. I would guess a 27 tempest would be in order if you dont haul the contents of a bass pro in the front lockers. i'm guessing 75-76 loaded to fish, maybe, just maybe bumping close to 80 on a cool day with a light load.
ymmv,
mark burris
I see two conflicting statements.
First statement is it'll only run 60.
Second statement is, you can't drive it past 60.
You purchased a high performance setup, it will indeed require pilot skills to reach it's potential. There is a fleet of fast drivers in your neighborhood, I would highly suggest you recruit one for an hour to teach you to drive what you've got. If not, it will be months of frustration before your clue light gets lit.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tigerholic »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Boat rated for a 200, but this has the 225 motor it came with new...and sholud run much faster.</TD></TR></TABLE>
How was it sold overpowered, new......... & by who..........can you give a clue???
If you want I can meet you at the spillway in Norco and help you out I have a 198 with a 225. Also had a 202 with a 225. That boat can be driven and set up to perform.
He lives in an area that they really don't care about silly things like HP rating. If you are going to sell bass boats in S. Louisiana, you'll sell them overpowered. Or you're out of business.
My kind of place....
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
You guys are right on and definatelly understand what was happening with my new Champion...thanks.
After reading some posts it was consistant that the jackplate setting should be 3 1/2" below plane....with my guage showing "up" i was only 5 1/2" below plane.....i had 2+ inches to spare..and just had to bury the guage ! Needless to say....today she became the boat i have been dreaming of.
I had to sell my Ranger in 2003 to help with a business start-up and obviously needed to "relearn" to drive a real machine. I do feel she could handle a 26 or 27P easily.....but with the 25P the ability to get up on plane in shallow water is far more important to me, than a couple of mph. I saw 68mph on the Hummingbird at 5000 rpm...and that's as high as i ever intend to rev her as the fuel guage was going the other way quick !!. Seems like the fuel tank is smaller than i would like...maybe 28 gallons....need to check that...might need more.
I do more fishing than riding anyway....well....that was until i felt her true potential today !!
Thanks for all the info and advice. PESTPRO
By the way Pat...i bought the boat from McCaney, Tx...near Odessa. The boat was purchased at West Texas Marine and titled with the 225 new, from there. The previous owner fished in a local club at Lake Falcon and Amastad...mostly. I met him through a contractor we both do work for. He described the boat and i couldn't believe it possible to be in such great shape as described...it was.
As soon as i can figure out how to post pics here...i will.
PESTPRO
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tigerholic »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">...The boat was purchased at West Texas Marine and titled with the 225 new, from there. The previous owner fished in a local club at Lake Falcon and Amastad...mostly. ... I couldn't believe it possible to be in such great shape as described...it was. </TD></TR></TABLE>
I can believe it! I bought my 201 for a former ENRON employee that bought it from West Texasa Marine and lived in Ft Stockton. He and his wife fishe 2-3 times a year at Amistad. When I bought it when it was 10 years old, there wasn't even a scratch on the skeg of either the TM or big motor. Amazing how nice a boat can be kept when all it sees is deep water.
Since I've had mine, it's had 1 new LU, that skeg repaired twice, on the 2nd TM and it is about 50/50 exposed aluminium and black paint on the LU ...That doesn't even start to cover the scratches down the sides.
I'm with you! My 171 is 9 years old and It has fished mostly Fork, especially the last two years. I retired and we moved over here. My boat is a FISHING boat, not a show boat. I do try to keep her as nice as possible, but she sees lots of stumps, trees, docks, etc.
Donnie Rhoades was a great guy, one of my all time favorite dealers.
One of the all time funniest boat show stories I'll tell on him...
Early 90's, Donnie had a 201 all decked out with a 220 Excell Yamaha, boat, trailer, carpet, seats were all red with black pins and white arrow inlay, quite a striking boat.
This guy shuffled up to it, and started rubbing on it, now get this visual...he looked like Jed Clampett, about 6'4" might have weighed 130 with a pocket full of quarters. Old faded denim pants, threadbare kahki shirt, and greazy old stetson. Four days of beard, just bones sticking out....got it?
He said "always wanted me a red one" I replied that this boat would sure qualify...He asked "what'll you take cash money for it?" I waved at Donnie, "he's the cash money negotiator" Donnie asked him "cash?" "cash" was the reply...Donnie told him you bring me (I think) 26 grand in cash and you can drive it home.. "thanks" and he wandered off to rub on some more boats...
He showed up a half hour later with a paper sack. Yep, with 26 grand in crispies. Guess what? We hooked it up after the show and by gosh he drove it home...Priceless...
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
Wish I'd been there. My jaw probably would have hit the floor. Love it!!!!
Like my buddy says, "Dont let the clothes fool you, I have a few bucks" !!!!!!!
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