Nose Cone / LWP or NOT ???

[oregondunes]

I have a 1987 Johnson 225 VRO (SS) on the back of my Barefoot Warrior. I just added a 5" set back high speed Jack Plate....If I run this at 1-3 below will I need a nose cone/LWP or not ? My lower unit only has 3 inlets on each side, should I block the top ones instead ?

I had a 5 inch setup back manual plate rigged a 4 inch below. water pressure was at 20-30 psi all the time when on plane even trimmed out.

If you think that a Nose Cone / LWP is necessary, which is the best to buy ?

[Water_Dog]

It's all about water pressure, jack it up 'till the pressure drops off. Then decide if you need one.

[oregondunes]

thats what I was thinking, but thought I would ask some of you that have years of experience at it first. I should have the new plate all wired up this weekend and in the water by Sunday for a test run.

Then Id like to learn more about chopper or cleaver props

[oregondunes]

what is the safe MINIMUM water pressure ?

[Streamin101]

It also depends on speed, how fast are you running?

[specboatops]

It also depends on speed, how fast are you running?

X 2 I agree...........

[oregondunes]

My target speed is 70, and anything above that i will jump for joy

[oregondunes]

Its ran 58 going up river against a light head wind when the lower unit took a crap. the motor was so ill tuned with only 11 degrees advance possible and jetting (main & air jets were 4 sizes down) was set for 3000 ft elevation (im at near sea level) and jetting is back to stock. max rpms before was 4800....test run by the dealership it hit 5800 and had much more left.

Im thinking a different prop is in the future as well (chopper / cleaver ?).

[Streamin101]

IMO you dont need a nosecone even at 70, it will just slow you down at that speed. just get the motor as high as you can keep the pressure no lower than 15 with the big loopa.

[oregondunes]

I ran it in the river today w/o the jack plated wired up, but the motor (prop shaft) sitting about 3.5 inches below deck.

the motor just cavitates the props baddddd. I have to back peddle the crap out of it to get it up on plane. then once up and running, I can wing it to 63 on the speedo. Im gonna try my 4 blade tomorrow and see what that does out of the hole. Ill wire up the jack on Monday and play around with it a bit too.

The motor tonite hit 6200 with ease....the dealer says 5800 is my target, so I need a bigger, more aggressive prop I think to reach that 70 mark Im looking for.

[oregondunes]

Oh....BTW the water pressure never dropped below 15 psi at idle and 30+ (pegged the guage) at WOT.

[Streamin101]

What prop are you running?

[oregondunes]

I couldn't tell you. its a 3 blade that has 460 in grease pencil written on it. there is nothing stamped on it what so ever.

My motor is a 1987 OMC Johnson 225 VRO (6 carb).

Any ideas ?

[oregondunes]

So I installed my 4 blade today. It's a Mach Stearn Driver 13.5 x 20 (SS).

I was much better out of the hole, but it robbed 500+ rpms off the top end.