Vector engine height?

**STELLIX** · 05-26-2017, 07:59 AM

I think I've got the engine height close to where it needs to be . I'm trying to get the feel of everything now and pushing it a little harder each time I've been out. At what speed should I start worrying about a blow over? I'm not giving much positive trim , just enough to get it up on the pad. T starts to feel very light above 65mph . I guess it could be that I'm not used to such a light boat and just need more seat time

**nitro_rat** · 05-26-2017, 08:12 AM

If the hull is good and dry you should be able to kite the bow with up trim at pretty much any speed once on plane. Just play around with up trim and throttle stabs at lower speeds to get a feel for it.

Remember to keep your thumb on the down trim button and mash it quick if you get nervous! That will usually wet enough of the hull to calm things down a lot!

You will get more confident being up on the pad with more seat time.

**STELLIX** · 05-26-2017, 10:18 AM

Thanks. The hull just got a complete rebuild from transom core, stringers and floor so it's dry and solid. I think the light feeling I'm experiencing is just the boat getting up on the pad . I haven't had a little boat like this since my old Varmint 15 years ago . I'll give it a little trim at a time until I get comfortable

**nitro_rat** · 05-26-2017, 11:49 AM

My Varmint needs very little trim to run best. Any trim after the lower unit is level just increases the prop slip and rpm without additional speed. Just burns more fuel and more roost (which is cool sometimes I guess).

You can definitely feel it when you get up on the pad! My wife doesn't like it at all...

**W2F a V-King** · 05-26-2017, 06:30 PM

One more thing to consider.
A sudden throttling back off when up on the pad or even close to it, is not good.

Drop the bow to quick and the boat can dart one way or the other. Haven't driven a stream yet, but my 2 Checkmates didn't like a sudden change in throttle slowing down. And they were not as fast as the streams....Mid 80's is all I could muster out of either of mine.

Prop blow out will yield a similar response.... sudden bow drop.

**nitro_rat** · 05-26-2017, 10:33 PM

In my Varmint I haven't noticed a pronounced hook when suddenly letting off throttle at speed. I also don't have a bad problem with swamping when cutting power at speed to check plugs. The splashwell does its job.

The boat actually has pretty good manners. I can get it to hop especially with a bad prop/engine height combo, but when dialed with the right prop it doesn't porpoise at all.

I do have good tight ride guide dual rack steering put together with NOS parts last year.

**STELLIX** · 05-29-2017, 06:28 PM

I got a chance to run it this weekend on a river with very little chop . I burned a whole tank of gas getting used to driving it. I felt much more comfortable this time out , there was a bunch of sharp turns so I couldn't stay on it for very long but did get it up on the pad and flying . I got it in the 70's this time out and I think I can get more out of it with a little more seat time. It sure turned some heads , I had to answer a bunch of questions at the boat ramp. Thanks for all the help!

**Hupiveneilijä** · 06-04-2017, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by FORBESAUTO

Level or parallel no angle up or down.

Not far from target level. Made my own speed record with this setup. Driver only.

**FORBESAUTO** · 06-04-2017, 01:59 PM

Congrats! Sounds like you're getting her dialed in!

**roadkill636** · 08-04-2017, 11:17 PM

How bout some pice of you up on the pad?

**STELLIX** · 08-07-2017, 09:10 AM

I'll get some pics or video next time I take it out. I'm sure my wife or son will take some for because they refuse to ride in it, says it scares them too bad.

**STELLIX** · 06-27-2018, 08:38 PM

I’m still trying to get everything set up correctly, I’ve only taken it out a couple times and the water always seems too choppy to really run it. When I was able to Try to run it it’s still a handful. I’ve lowered the motor a little more and it seemed to help with the chine walk. I still have the factory motor mounts and they feel pretty rigid. Will changing to solid mounts make the boat more manageable? This thing is pretty scary once it gets over 60 and torques a good bit if I let off the throttle too quickly

**W2F a V-King** · 06-28-2018, 08:17 AM

Yes, imo solid mounts are a must for a performance boat. Factory mounts (some come with solid mounts, like promax, etc...) are rubber and will allow movement causing stability issues.
Hard to have good driver input if the mounts are absorbing some of it.

**STELLIX** · 06-28-2018, 08:50 AM

That’s what I figured by the way it torques when I let off the throttle. How big of a deal are they to change?

**rkmirage** · 07-10-2018, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by STELLIX

That’s what I figured by the way it torques when I let off the throttle. How big of a deal are they to change?

You will have to pull the powerhead, easy if it's a freshwater motor. As far as the way it torques when backing out, that will be better, way better with solid mounts. Also check to make there is no slop in the steering.