Sam Baker

[skydog]

I have a G.S. 2003 , 260 with some mods i spin it to 9,000. Looking to change a few things. For sole top end running how much set back? And what you think is the best lower unit for speed? But i dont want that xr case. Looking for some big top end numbers. Prop??? Cleaver???
Thankyou SKydog:)

[Sam Baker]

Cleaver will run the fastest, but combine that with the GrandSport and you best be running into the wind or with the wind. It'll be REALLY loose. 9,000 RPM is too many for top end. Keep it to around 8000-8200 - that's where Peak Horsepower is going to be.

Run a 32" Lab Cleaver. The fastest that boat will probably go is about 108-110. The boat is too big to really go much faster. A SuperSport will do it, but the GrandSport is a LOT bigger boat and pushes a lot of air.

As far as setback goes....for ULTRA top end like that with a light load 6-8" will work fine. However, for all around use, I'd go with 9" to 12". The Bass Boat (which uses the same hull) runs 14".

Best Gearcase is the XR-6. However, if you don't want that, I'd run a TorqueMaster with a Nose cone.

Sam

[skydog]

THANKYOU Sam!
Skydog

[skydog]

I have a mid cut down 20" to a 15". You think 12" setback will be about right on?
THankyou SKydog

[Ally 1988]

who did this for you ive thought about it but i have been scared of something that has been cut on then welded back specially when you have as much bad luck as i have. some here think it is a bad idea as well but it sounds like yours is working out just fine judging but the speed numbers you are running.

[skydog]

i bought the boat with it cut down. But if you know a good welder it is CAKE!! WEld the hole seam all the way aroung with good heat you will be fine!! How you think the factory does it!
Skydog

[Casey]

How you think the factory does it? mercury does not do ANY welding on there mids, they are a one piece casting.

[skydog]

my point being how do you think about every thing is this world where to pieces of metal need to be bonded. Like a CAR frame Truck, How about a 8 ton bull dozer ? What i mean is if you konw a good weld it is very easy to do right!
THANKYOU Skydog

[Sam Baker]

Well, after seeing Bob Albee blow over because his welded midsection failed, I'm never doing it again. The weld broke, the midsection and the lower unit came off and the boat went up like an airplane.

I'm selling Wayne Taylor's midsections now. They're about the same price and it's a one piece casting. It's a LOT cheaper than the Mercury, but you have to paint it and you have to cut down your clamp bracket, etc. (which you have to do when you cut down and weld your 20" anyway).

I'm not saying they all break - they don't. But for the same money and you can get a solid center section, it makes sense in my opinion.

Sam

[Nosubforcid]

Sam is correct welded midsections are an unecessary and unwise additional risk in a sport that we all realize is inherently more than a little dangerous. Welding aluminum castings outside of a production environment is always risky. There is no way for the welder no matter how "good" he is to correctly match the material unless the filler rod is made from an identical casting. Even if the rod used is a perfect match and the part is fully annealed before remaching, which hardly anybody ever does, the best you could hope for is 60-70% of the original toughness(not everyday but engineering use meaning the integral of true stress with respect to true strain to failure). The HAZ in a welded aluminum casting is also highly prone to stress corrosion cracking and fatigue failure. The only thing more foolhardy than running a welded midsection is running a welded on skeg.

[vector mike]

How do some of these LU modifing guys get away with welding on the aluminum all the time. Do you just not here about it that much or is the ones that don't break compared to the ones that do ratio not high enough to matter? I know Bobs weld on their nosecones and there skegs because I had them both done. Now I'm wondering if this should be something to worry about? :confused:

[Ally 1988]

I don't really understand how a cut down bracket could be any better than a welded up mid section I never ment to cause a stir but I have considered the cut down mid but I really never heard any real positive things about them. I agree Sam that Taylors midsection is only a little over a thousand dollars but to hang all that to a cut down clamp doesnt make much more since as far as safety goes. I really only mean to ask the question which is if you bought one from Taylors how would you rig it go with the best you could get or cut down what you have down.

thanks Gary:confused:

just trying to pinch pennies just not on safety.:D