1991 18' Talon set-up

[talonkid]

I've just recently purchased an 18 talon. It has a tired 175 on it now with a 4" hydraulic jack plate. My goal is to run high 80's/low 90's in this boat. Wondering what the set back and height should be on the motor, what motor should be put on the boat to try and get those speeds and what prop should be run. Also if I were to keep the motor for the time being and freshen it up, what do you suggest in that case.

I appreciate any help,

Mike

[talonkid]

For extra info, im currently running a 28 chopper and getting low to mid 70's

[JUPITER PULSARE]

What RPM are you running at mid 70's?? A 28 Chopper is alot of prop for a tired 175 to spin. You may want to drop down to a 24/26 Merc Chopper. The Talon has built in setback...4" may not be enough but I would not go more than 8" on the T-18.

[talonkid]

Well like I said I've just bought the boat and I have only driven it once and I am still getting used to it. It was running around 5400 rpm maybe which I know is pretty low, however I am not going to leave the motor the way it is, I will either freshen it up and run it with that for a little while, or I upgrade it now to get like a 225 or something and try and get my mid 80's-90. I am more concerned however on whether or not more set back is needed and how high up the motor should be run, and whether or not it is better to be running like a chopper or an e.t., or going to a cleaver?

[99fxst99]

I have a stock 2.4L 200 on mine, 26p Chopper with 4" setback manual plate. 78-80mph at about 56-5800. The motor has lots of hours (old fishing motor powerhead I built for a friend years ago) and is probably tired. Lower unit is 2 hole CLE. Propshaft about 1" below the hull.
Post some pics of your boat! They are somewhat scarce and IMO are pretty cool well built little boats.

[1fast80]

I run a pretty decent 2.4 bridgeport on mine with a 6" hydraulic plate with a 28p labbed cleaver. I can get it going into the 90's at about 7000.

[talonkid]

99fxst99 your boat looks really nice and clean, ill try and get some pictures soon and put them up.

And is that like a 2.4 245 hp bridgeport?

[jdinny]

Sweet ride 99fxst99

[99fxst99]

99fxst99 your boat looks really nice and clean, ill try and get some pictures soon and put them up.

And is that like a 2.4 245 hp bridgeport?

No, just an old tired-a## fishing motor. Hope to maybe do something a little more appropriate this winter.

[talonkid]

So I put a 2005 175 optimax on the boat and tested it this past weekend. Had a 6 inch hydraulic lift. I first tested a 28 chopper and the buzzer siren started coming on at about 5800 rpm and there was still more left in the boat. Then I tested a 28 Hoss and it was running at 5700 rpm at 74mph with a full tank of gas 2 people on board and pretty rough conditions (about a foot and a half chop). Are there any other props I should be trying?

[99fxst99]

Talonkid, 1fast80-
Lets see some pictures!

[talonkid]

Here are some pictures of the boat. There is the new motor on it now tho.219389219390219391

[HIMAGAIN]

I ran my 18 with a 225 pro max with 4 inches of set back spotmaster case. The boat would run 91mph all day full of fuel with a 30 et. I found the chopper made the boat want to hop all over. My old boat is still here in Whitby running with a 280 and he seems to like to run a drag 4 to carry people but also has my old et. after trying different props he settled for my old one.