Solid vs. Rubber Mounts

[orbeamlb]

Having my lower steering pivot bushing replaced soon and my mechanic mentioned going ahead a replacing the mounts while he has things pulled apart. My boat is a 1988 MasterCraft ProStar 200 and the motor is a 1991 Mercury 200XRi - would it be best to install new rubber mounts or step up to solid mounts?

From what I've learned thus far is the solid mounts improve steering but transmit more vibration into the boat. This is a tournament ski boat with a top speed of 50 mph and already handles like a slot car as it has two tracking fins in the center of the hull. Would there be any benefit wiith the solid mounts or stick with rubber?

Thanks,

Mike

[rkmirage]

Stay with rubber.

[laser380]

Unless you are up into 60mph and faster, I would not worry about them. Rubber will be fine. The only reason for solid mounts on performance boats than run above that is because we are running large props and solids help to keep the motor from crabing sideways.

[LaveyT]

Stay with the rubber mounts. It would be like putting a "Shift Kit" in a Kia....Irritating.

[albypine]

Stay with the rubber mounts. It would be like putting a "Shift Kit" in a Kia....Irritating.Lmao , ....x2

[orbeamlb]

Unless you are up into 60mph and faster, I would not worry about them. Rubber will be fine. The only reason for solid mounts on performance boats than run above that is because we are running large props and solids help to keep the motor from crabing sideways.

Thats the direction I was leaning towards. Recently swapped the Stilletto 3 Blade that was on the boat when I bought it in 2011 (the PO apparently had it re-pitched from 19 to a 15.5/16/17). RPMs were running 6200 at WOT so I put a PowerTech ELE4 17p which dropped the rpm down to 5800 now. The ELE4 is a 15" dia vs 14.25 for the old Stilletto. I've seen some info claiming steering improvements with the solid mounts which had me considering them.

Thanks all,

Mike

[rgsauger]

If you are pulling skiers, have your tried experimenting with a 4-blade prop? Has more blade area and may be perfect since you are not looking for big time top end. Just an idea.

[orbeamlb]

If you are pulling skiers, have your tried experimenting with a 4-blade prop? Has more blade area and may be perfect since you are not looking for big time top end. Just an idea.

Thanks, I meant to include that the ELE4 is a 4 blade prop. The old three blade pulled strong was a bit chewed up and running the WOT 300 rpm a over the recommended range. The 4 blade smoothed things out and improved the already strong holeshot. New prop is good for 49-50mph at 5800 rpm depending on water conditions.

my ProStar 200 Barefoot boat is basically a ProStar 190 that's a foot longer with an outboard instead of an inboard.

[rhickox]

Solid mounts are used mainly for HiPo Merc motors on HiPo boats. I think its a waste of time and & money... Stay with the rubber mounts..

[Dave Strong]

JMO Just making the lower mounts solid you will never notice a diference in the vibration. But to feel or notice a change you need to replace upper and lower, at less than 60mph I don't think you would see any gain.

Dave