cougar 19 merc 260 best speed prop?

[12pack]

I recently purchased a 1990 cougar 19 with a 2.5 260 merc. I bought the boat elsewhere online but has been posted on here before. Anyways it came with 28 chopper possibly reworked by pally performance. Best run so far is 88 on gps at 6700 rpm motor jacked up all the way and slightly into the trim, ran outa lake speed was slightly rising. Engine is all stock to my knowlage except a brucato ignition. Looking for prop that'll give me the best speed! Also it has a cle lower and leak down on the motor is 3-5 on all holes.

Roger

[mastertrax]

I would expect a decent-running 260 to turn a 28 a lot faster than 6700. Should be well into the 7000s if everything is set up and running right. A friend has a 225 promax on a vector turning a 28 about 7700

[12pack]

I have no prior experience with a 260 motor seems to run strong, only concern is maybe oil mixture running Amsoil hp injector at 32:1 seems rich since amsoil recommends 50:1 but I here more oil is better on a 260. Any and all input is much appreciated thanks
Roger

[12pack]

Also with the motor raised as high as I can without loosing water psi my motor is sitting close to level and rooster tail looks about level with top of motor

[DS77]

Sounds like u may have a heavy boat ,boats can gain weight also over the years if not stored properly. Peace steve

[12pack]

What is the best way to tell if the boat is wet?

[Dave Strong]

Something is not right, that boat motor combo should run 100mph+ any day of the week. Untill you start spinning over 7500rpm for long runs 40:1 is a better oil mix.

Dave

[12pack]

Thanks Dave
That's kinda what I figured shouldn't be a problem to run 100+ maybe I need a longer lake. Should I weigh the boat or drill a hole somewhere to find out if its wet?

[Dave Strong]

Pics of the boat, engine mtg height, center pod (were 3 different styles) fuel tanks mounted beside ft seats or at the rear of the hull. Unless it sat full of water kinda don't think its rotten, would be rare.

Dave

[12pack]

Will try to post some pics later tanks are beside the front two seats all interior is original except front two seats so I doubt it sat full of water hope its not soggy. Also with motor level 0 trim I've got it up as far as I can without loosing water psi.

[Dave Strong]

The ones with tha tanks in the rear were faster, not many built that way. With a 260 would assume it has a CLE case.
Pics would be good. Get as shot from the side with a straight edge on the center pod extending to the case to get good idea of engine height. Also pics of engine brkt and jack plate.
Have you done compession and leak down tests on the engine, never go fast if it needs a rering.

Dave

[12pack]

Yes it is cle lower it has a big setback bracket with negative engine mounting . Did a leakdown right away 3-5% on every hole.

[eli]

may have to install hull mount pickup to get motor higher ,it may be too low

[12pack]

Thanks for the input Eli but I don't think that's the problem cause when I jack up as far as loosing water psi prop must surface cause speed drops off fast til I get good water psi again.

[FAST RALLY SPORT]

Motor should keep good water psi at all times, sound like boat is heavy.

[12pack]

Any advice on uploading pics?

[12pack]

At 84 mph the boat feels like it gets on top of the water gets light and steering torque goes away. Any help on uploading pics?

[Dave Strong]

At 84 mph the boat feels like it gets on top of the water gets light and steering torque goes away. Any help on uploading pics?

Its just getting on plane at 84, there will be 2 more times it " gets lighter " before you get to a 100mph.

Just guessing this could be you first tunnel?

There is a ( Stickey Thread) that says how to upload pic's. If you still have issues PM me your E-Mail and I will get the pics and do it for you.

Dave

[12pack]

http://i42.tinypic.com/2z57rt3.jpg

[12pack]

http://i44.tinypic.com/333z85y.jpg

[12pack]

Yes this is my first tunnel the trim is not exact but close the engine height is exact for my best speed http://i44.tinypic.com/w7lna.jpg

[12pack]

http://i43.tinypic.com/2001u8.jpg

[12pack]

http://i44.tinypic.com/q0ax.jpg

[12pack]

http://i44.tinypic.com/1pxueb.jpg

[12pack]

http://i41.tinypic.com/fdhmhy.jpg

[12pack]

5.5" hydrolic jp and a 12" setback bracket

[Dave Strong]

Nice looking boat.
It will weigh much more than mine. You have way more upholstery than mine. stainless tanks mounted up ft. Every thing seems to be mounted towards the ft compared to mine, rear seat more forward, bigger hatch, centre console, etc.
All these things will not help the boat pack air and get out of the water.
You have the factory setback bracket, engine height shouldn't be a problem.
I would start with the height even with the centre pod or a bit below. You will need a lot of time to get the hull to air out and get your best top speed. Go slow and get the feel of the boat the more seat time you get the better.
Your motor is way down on rpm should be at 7500rpm, not making your max HP at the rpm you are running.
Until you get used to the boat a 26 Chopper might be better to get the power up, when you can get the rpms over 7500 then start going to bigger prop.
Here is a pic of my boat showing how most the weight is towards the rear of the boat, have aluminum tanks in the rear, the only upholstery is the hatch and ft and rear seats. Have a light piece of carpet in the centre pod and 2 small pieces on the outer sponsons where your fuel tanks would be.
Work at your top speed slowly, your not going to get a tunnel for the first time and go out and get the max out of it. Takes lots of time to get the feel for things.
Life vest and tether at all times. Good Luck.
http://i40.tinypic.com/34edqpf.jpg

Dave

[Dave Strong]

Bigger pic.

http://i40.tinypic.com/71mo2g.jpg

Dave

[12pack]

What kind of distance are you needing. To get top speed out of your cougar?

[Dave Strong]

Couple miles in perfect conditions, 95 to 105 mph takes some time. I could do 0 -93mph in a 1/4 mile. But those last few mph took some time, after 4yrs of having the boat could always get to the high 90's but getting over 100 took a lot of work and being one with the boat.
You gota think this hull was designed in the late 70's and 85mph would have been cool back then. they will go way faster but you have to know how to drive it and that takes time.

Dave

[12pack]

Thanks a lot for the help Dave, so you think a standard merc chopper is the best wheel for this setup?

[Dave Strong]

You will need a prop with bow lift for sure, mine likes Lightning ET the best.


Dave

[12pack]

so if mine is heavier than yours at what speed does yours lift as I stated mine does at 84?

[12pack]

Anyone ever try a 4 blade on these little cougars?

[river rocket]

I have a 19' Elliminator Daytona, which is very similar to the Cougar. I have much less interior and the tanks are mounted farther back. Last year I had a 200 2.4 that ran 89 with a 30 Drag 4. I have a 2.4 BP on now I just need some weather so I can see what it can do. If you were closer to the city I would let you run one of my 4 blade props

[12pack]

This weather sucks I just had two weeks off of work and was able to get out in the boats 3 times total. Thanks for the offer I think I will have to find some different options to try before I have half a dozen more props on the shelf that I don't run.

[12pack]

put on a 25p trophy best run was 86 @ 6300 with a passenger and about half on fuel, motor not running very good sometimes, wouldnt idle wouldnt get on plane and then all a sudden would clear up and run fine... has a brucato ignition is there some adjustments or something im missing comming from sea level is there anything i should have to do to run up here in mn. obviously the trophy grabs much better but i would have thought it would put me well over 7k rpms somethin must be wrong with my motor almost seems like its flooding out

[river rocket]

Fuel restriction? What kind of lines do you have? I just replaced all the lines in both of my boats. Ethanol had eaten both. Little pieces of the inner liner of the gas line was showing up in my filter.

BTW. I will be up in Alexandria next month if you want to try any props.

[12pack]

In process of changing fuel lines now, there is some wear showing on the outside of them, wondering if I should send off my injectors to have them serviced as well boat has not been run alot in the last few years.

RR let me know when you will be in alex I will definately meet you there if i am around 406 490 0480
Roger

[whipper]

I would for sure try another prop also. i sure dont like the looks of the old chopper ya got on there? Looks to be an original big ear with the weedcutters. Great for getting work done to them though for sure. Stock sorta bla compared to what you could have on. In an old Hotboat if I remember corectly {tripple terror} There were 3 21ft Cougars. One with a 300PM ,260,and a 225PM. The 21 with the 260 was just shy of 100 like 97 or 99 with a 30 lightning et. Not sure as Dave has said how they were set up weight wise fore, aft?

BTW get some Marine tech and puddy up that chip on the end of the center pod. Real simple easy. Just follow directions and stuff it in there and smooth it off with a wood stir stick or somthing after it sets in a few hours sand it to shape. Try not to have to much excess. It hardens pretty good. Theres a 1/4 mph right there:]

[Dave Strong]

I'm not sure what the issue is here. But my 19 Cougar with a 2.4 Bridgeport EFI bone stock needing a re ring 10-11% leak down would pull a 28 Chopper to 68-6900 rpm 96mph with just myself. After the motor was done would run about the same with 2 in the boat. This was at 2700ft altitude, would just touch 100mph at 1400ft altitude. 28 Lightning ET would run just over 100mph with 2 in the boat at 1400ft altitude. There was way more but scary handling over 100, needed to get the prop shaft higher was an inch below the pad, steering cables seized, swivel bushings worn out, setback brkt was cracked, etc. One day I will get it back together and see how fast it really is, I have so much time and money in to it now its not going back together till it can be done 100% correct.


Dave

[12pack]

ok my motor is definatly not running right, as sson as that is resolved im looking at props i agree my old school chopper is not suffice, one thing to clarify a 25p 4 blade will run the same rpm as a 25p 3 blade correct?

Thanks again for all your help you guys are great!

[12pack]

Also i have a brucato steam wheel available what do you guys think about those are they only necessary for race, or could one be benifitial for my application

[river rocket]

"But my 19 Cougar with a 2.4 Bridgeport EFI bone stock needing a re ring 10-11% leak down would pull a 28 Chopper to 68-6900 rpm 96mph with just myself."

Thank you! I can't tell you how hard I've searched to find this kind of information. I can't find anyone that posts numbers for these kind of boats. Seems most people these days are running Jets. I just put a 2.4 BP on my 19' eliminator Daytona but blew the motor before I could run it hard. Nice to know what I can shoot for now.

[pnutfarmer]

River Rocket, I have a brand new built 2.4 Bridgeport EFI if your interested. 4000 complete drop on. Turns a 28 et to 7900 rpms.

[river rocket]

I appreciate the offer, but mine is going to Ruck next week to get fixed.

[whipper]

ok my motor is definatly not running right, as sson as that is resolved im looking at props i agree my old school chopper is not suffice, one thing to clarify a 25p 4 blade will run the same rpm as a 25p 3 blade correct?

Thanks again for all your help you guys are great!

4 blade ussually 200rpm less give or take. A healthy 3 blade is normally faster on top. A 4 blade might beet a 3 blade with two or more passangers up top but rare. i know Wildman sure likes the Drag4,s by performance on his liberator tunnels. I like them to on my Allison. Im useing there drag3 right now and it is way faster in a 28 than the drag4 by my self. Havent tryed it with passangers yet.

[12pack]

Quite a bit different than a tunnel but seems like guys are getting a lot of good numbers with 4 blade trophys with checkmates

[12pack]

Recent leakdown 4-6 psi on 5 holes 8 psi on top port cylinder, I'm guessing since it hasn't been ran much that its my injectors. Old fuel was drained to rule out fuel problems of quality. I'm now pulling injectors and brucato ignition, I know I seen where to send em just need to search and find out where again. Mechanic thinks its a good idea to send off ignition to have brucato check curves to rule that out. Also may be looking for a deal on a fresh 260/280 powerhead as my backup. Hope I can come up with some fast results I was pumped to get this running all ballz. Bummer

[12pack]

Found both go to brucato seems to be the answer hopefully get a fast turn around like everyone else seems to. I'll be tickled if I'm on the water by next weekend.