checkmate prop dillema

[aaronmt73]

I have 1987 21 ft starflite with a yamaha excel aprrox 240hp with 12 " setback and prop height 2" below the v. Ive tried several props including a 23 tempest plus for a gps speed of 70.0 a 25 tempest non plus at 72.5 but slow out of the hole, and a laserII with the fastest speed of 73.6. The problem im having is my boat just seems to do better with the smaller diameter prop the tempest's seem to shake a lil more then i like. The laser II although king of the top speed numbers on this boat is not very efficient elsewhere, im thinking of trying a trophy or trophy plus (what are the differnces). I realise the numbers i am getting are almost all i can get but like everyone else id like a lil more. Also ive considered a 24 tempest plus , but dont like the shaking they give off on my boat. As to the trophy are there small as well as large hub ones or just small. And what type of pitch would i strt of at im spinning the laserII at 5900 @ 73 gps. and would like to stay neer 5900- 600 wot. Thanks in advance Aaron

[Richard]

Do you have a lift plate? Seems like you have that bullett buried pretty deep for that boat. Not sure about Checkmates, but you might benefit from some lift on the motor and a chopper style prop. There are trade offs, but a higher engine setting and a surfacing prop might get you the speed you're looking for.

[aaronmt73]

Ya i have a 12" jackplate 2" below the v is just about perfect for handleing as well as mainting water pressure. Aaron

[specboatops]

Your picture shows good bow lift, I'd try a Trophy, and at that if your h.p. is what you say it is I would be looking around 25 or a 26, that motor may need to come up a tad ( as always keep an eye on water pressure ) and some may dissagree you may have to much set back, just my 2 beans worth.

Chris

[aaronmt73]

I was thinking a 24 trophy plus anyone no the difference between the plus and just trophy

[aaronmt73]

OK the 24p trophy ran 70.5 and raised my rpm 300 over the 25 laserII but felt better all the way around including holeshot, im at 6200rpm at 70.5 with the trophy 24p im thinking the 25p trophy would be at 6000 and the 26p would be neer 5800? i have 9- 10 water pressure at wot right now and am at 2 inches below the pad.How do i tell if this is a trophy plus or just trophy and is there a difference the 24 i used has the holes and the plugs in it were about half of the holes size i didnt take them out becouse holsehot was great. id sure like to be neer the laserII topspeed of 73 with the peformance of the trophy can i get there with a 25p or will i need the 26, just a bit gunshy if i can spin the 26. Thanks alot Aaron

[aaronmt73]

I would like to be able to run a 26 trophy plus, If its a bit to much would labbing it help? Anyone have on for sale? Aaron

[staylor]

..I had a 19 ft Baja in past years that also preferred the small diameter 3 blade props. Since it sounds like you are most interested in top end, realize that in most cases an optimal 3 blade will always run 1-2 mph faster than a 4 blade, unless you have chine walk issues, in which case the 4 blade may be faster cause the chine walk is less.

Usually, if you have a Trophy Plus it says Trophy Plus on the side. If in doubt, Google the P/N from the prop and see what comes up. My 23 in Trophy Plus has the small 4 inch dia hub and P/N 48-825938, which is the late model A47 series. I think the rule is that it if has PVS vents that take the plastic plugs then it's a Trophy Plus.

In any event, your results may also indicate that your rig likes a smaller blade area than the very large blade area of the Tempest. I would suggest getting someone to lend you a Merc Chopper to try- a very high performance prop with relatively low blade area and a fairly large diameter. The downside is that planing off will be hard. Other potential props would be from Turbo, Hoss, or Hydromotive. Another "Dark Horse" to consider is the OMC Raker, but you'll need a hub kit to fit your engine. Looking for that last bit of speed can be costly, so the more props you can borrow to try out, the better.
Doug