i know its only a tracker but...

[trash boat]

...could somebody please help me get a couple more mph out my boat? the boat is a 93' bass tracker pro17 with a 2000 merc 60hp elpto. I have run 40mph(gps) with a stock 13" pitch blackmax prop and 39mph with a 14" pitch spitfire prop(5800-5900rpm). this was with the lowest engine mounting on the transom. I raised the engine one hole and lost 1mph with both props. rpm stayed the same. with the 13" pitch I was running on the last 4 feet of the boat at wot with the motor set at the lowest mounting hole on the transom. when I raised the motor the spray line moved forward another two feet. I was told to look at powertech props. they recommended a nreb14". funds are low so I found a stiletto triad 2 (14" pitch) on ebay for $100. should have it in less than a week. with the motor mounted at the lowest height the cavitation plate is submerged. I haven't checked it with the motor raised but it is about even with the bottom of the boat now. I would be grateful for any advice on improving my setup. raising the motor with the aluminum props has done nothing but make the boat lose bow lift and speed. will the stiletto help? should I lower the motor back down? also, my speeds were achieved after removing about 200#'s of waterlogged foam from the boat. could only hit 37mph before. please help. guys on bbc don't really seem interested and told me to just enjoy the boat. thanks in advance. tom rheault

[1FASTLASER]

I don't recall what hull the pro17 has. Is it the modified v or the deep v?

[trash boat]

I don't recall what hull the pro17 has. Is it the modified v or the deep v? its a modified v with a narrow beam(71") https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1262822_10151712394263981_2011999440_o.jpg

[Iowafshr]

How about a Jack plate? It may help with the bow lift by moving the weight back a little, and would be easier to adjust height than moving bolt holes.

[1FASTLASER]

I had a TX17 back in the late eighties that Ihad since new with a 70 Merc. Now I had at TNT on mine . Tried every possible combo I could and loaded for fishing with partner best I ever had was 43 44 on speedo. Even went with jp. Best combo was a 4" plate with a if memory serves me right a 17" Mazco 3 blade that had a little extra cupping in the tips. Aluminum boats be them welded or riveted are difficult to get optimum because of all the inconsistency in the running surface

[groundloop]

Aluminum boats be them welded or riveted are difficult to get optimum because of all the inconsistency in the running surface

Yep.... 40 mph on that sized boat with only 60 HP is pretty darned good.

[trash boat]

Yep.... 40 mph on that sized boat with only 60 HP is pretty darned good. thanks. was thinking about a jack plate. not for lift, but setback. also, hull has about a 1/16" lip(weld) at bottom of transom. if I removed it or used some filler to blend it to the hull would it make any difference? sorry if this is a silly question.

[Allyda]

We have an older Pro17 we aqquired about 7 months ago w/o a motor. Plate on ours says it's rated for an 85 hp. It's the Mod V and will make a good skinny water rig once we get around to fixing what's currently wrong with it and adding a motor. The hardest part will be finding replacement hatch doors for two compartments in the bow. They were missing from the boat when we got it. Other than that it just needs a little wiring and carpet. I'm currently looking for something in the 70-85 hp range to hang on her tail. I do have an older 115 with a jet drive lower unit I was saving for something special. Still might be too much HP though even with reduced output of jet drive lower. I think it's the same boat you have though despite it being a 96. I will be adding an 8" jackplate just cause I have it lying around.

[steve@scp]

jmo. a 4" setback will allow the motor to gain leverage over the "lip" and give ya some lift.
you can then modify a sst prop with a little more cup to help also.

don't expect a huge gain in mph.. it's just not there.

[trash boat]

jmo. a 4" setback will allow the motor to gain leverage over the "lip" and give ya some lift.
you can then modify a sst prop with a little more cup to help also.

don't expect a huge gain in mph.. it's just not there.
my boat is only rated for 60hp so its maxed out. I put the stiletto triad 2 (14") on and did a couple hot laps and hit 41mph@5400. it blows out if I trim any higher. previous best was 40mph@5800rpm with 13" blackmax. bow lift is better, but the boat is loose in the rear and doesn't have the lift it had with the lowest motor height. wonder if itll be faster if I drop it back down? will 4" of setback make much difference? thanks in advance for your help.

[steve@scp]

the lift came from a cupped sst prop. loose is good. :)

setback should help with the handling, but will give ya more bow lift. not a lot , but some since it's only 4" setback.

[1FASTLASER]

Correct me if I am wrong..... U do not have power trim right? If that's correct and I was trying to get it the best possible. First step... Get power trim on it. Second step work on (sounds like the triad helped) getting a good prop that allows the boat to perform right. Good holeshot and still pulling when you hit the upper range of rpms. Third step allow someone like Steve to tailor the prop for your boat. First you have to decide if the money you will spend will be worth at very best 4 or 5 mph your going to get and I am probably optimistic with that figure. Trust me that welded lip at the rear of the boat ain't helping at all. I for one do not have a clue on how to eliminate it without ALOT of work and money

[steve@scp]

nice way to say that 1fastlaser.

my point earlier. was .. not really sure it would be worth the investment to gain such a small amount of mph.

[trash boat]

Correct me if I am wrong..... U do not have power trim right? If that's correct and I was trying to get it the best possible. First step... Get power trim on it. Second step work on (sounds like the triad helped) getting a good prop that allows the boat to perform right. Good holeshot and still pulling when you hit the upper range of rpms. Third step allow someone like Steve to tailor the prop for your boat. First you have to decide if the money you will spend will be worth at very best 4 or 5 mph your going to get and I am probably optimistic with that figure. Trust me that welded lip at the rear of the boat ain't helping at all. I for one do not have a clue on how to eliminate it without ALOT of work and moneymotor HAS power trim. I don't want to spend a lot of money. the prop cost me $100. a jackplate or setback bracket is another <$200. I could make the setback bracket since im a machinist by trade. transom to floor is welded inside and out. could probably grind it, but would it be worth it? thinking of making some setback brackets at work...

[Allyda]

motor HAS power trim. I don't want to spend a lot of money. the prop cost me $100. a jackplate or setback bracket is another <$200. I could make the setback bracket since im a machinist by trade. transom to floor is welded inside and out. could probably grind it, but would it be worth it? thinking of making some setback brackets at work...
The problem with setback brackets is you can't adjust them with the exception of going up or down one motor mount hole. Professionally built Jackplates and Setback brackets are made using a Marine grade aluminum alloy that helps prevent corrosion and is stronger which is a little different than your standard aluminum plate or angle/I beams usually carried in a machine shop. Please don't get me wrong I'm not doubting your ability I wish I had it. I just hope you can get the right alloy should you decide to fabricate something yourself. 1Fastlaser knows his stuff also so I agree with him on the weld lip, etc.:thumbsup:

If It were me I'd be very satisfied with 41 mph from a 60 hp engine. The absolute best your going to get out of it may be 2 or 3 more mph which will take getting the right prop and having it worked for your rig, and a 4" jackplate. Is 2-3 mph really worth the expense?:eek: Don't get me wrong I love speed but I love fishing more and would rather spend my extra time and $$ on fishing rather than squeezing the last ounce of speed out of what sounds like a will running well equipped aluminum rig. I know when I get the one I have up and running there are some canals and deep pools my 21 footer just draws too much water to reach that I'm going to use it to get to for a month or so before we sell it.

Not trying to talk ya out of anything just playing a little devil's advocate. I wish ya the best of luck in whatever you decide to do (I'm also looking for good karma as I'm going out myself tomorrow and want ta catch some!, lol.).:D

[trash boat]

The problem with setback brackets is you can't adjust them with the exception of going up or down one motor mount hole. Professionally built Jackplates and Setback brackets are made using a Marine grade aluminum alloy that helps prevent corrosion and is stronger which is a little different than your standard aluminum plate or angle/I beams usually carried in a machine shop. Please don't get me wrong I'm not doubting your ability I wish I had it. I just hope you can get the right alloy should you decide to fabricate something yourself. 1Fastlaser knows his stuff also so I agree with him on the weld lip, etc.:thumbsup:

If It were me I'd be very satisfied with 41 mph from a 60 hp engine. The absolute best your going to get out of it may be 2 or 3 more mph which will take getting the right prop and having it worked for your rig, and a 4" jackplate. Is 2-3 mph really worth the expense?:eek: Don't get me wrong I love speed but I love fishing more and would rather spend my extra time and $$ on fishing rather than squeezing the last ounce of speed out of what sounds like a will running well equipped aluminum rig. I know when I get the one I have up and running there are some canals and deep pools my 21 footer just draws too much water to reach that I'm going to use it to get to for a month or so before we sell it.

Not trying to talk ya out of anything just playing a little devil's advocate. I wish ya the best of luck in whatever you decide to do (I'm also looking for good karma as I'm going out myself tomorrow and want ta catch some!, lol.).:D
material would be 6061-t6. this is stronger than the 5052 most aluminum hulls are made of. I actually made a 3" jack plate for a 12' semi-v a couple years ago and picked up 1mph. this was with an 8hp Johnson. boat did 21mph. just figured the material is cheap enough and I could make it myself. do you think there is another mph in my boat by setting the motor back 4"? I droped the motor back down since it ran 1mph faster with the aluminum props this way. hoping to gain another 1 mph with the ss prop. thanks for the help anyways. boat is a blast to drive.

[1FASTLASER]

I'm sure there's another mile or 2 in the boat. Make a jackplate though not just a setback. It will allow ur prop to run in cleaner water. I've made my own jackplates before, they ain't heard to make as long as u use 6061 and have a competent welder. What I can't tell you is that the Triad will be the correct prop or not. Normally you can go up in pitch with setback added. It will also aid in lift....how much again remains to be seen. My best guess would be it will lift easier,it will allow u to utilize your trim better as well. You have to keep this in mind as you change things....adding set back and engine height will alter a props efficiency normally for the better but not always. Also keep this in mind like I ready started....ur dealing with a hull that produces turbulent water when exiting the running surface and then adjust accordingly. Shoot for the cavitation plate to be at the same height as the bottom of the hull and go from there

[Allyda]

I'm sure there's another mile or 2 in the boat. Make a jackplate though not just a setback. It will allow ur prop to run in cleaner water. I've made my own jackplates before, they ain't heard to make as long as u use 6061 and have a competent welder. What I can't tell you is that the Triad will be the correct prop or not. Normally you can go up in pitch with setback added. It will also aid in lift....how much again remains to be seen. My best guess would be it will lift easier,it will allow u to utilize your trim better as well. You have to keep this in mind as you change things....adding set back and engine height will alter a props efficiency normally for the better but not always. Also keep this in mind like I ready started....ur dealing with a hull that produces turbulent water when exiting the running surface and then adjust accordingly. Shoot for the cavitation plate to be at the same height as the bottom of the hull and go from there
Better answer than I had.
Yes, I agree there's probably anywhere from 2-3 mph more just keep the things he's telling ya in mind as you fabricate it. I wish we had a machine shop where I live. Nearest one is over an hour away.

That hook on your bottom weld or not isn't helping you any either. However, I wouldn't go grinding it off. You will have to fill it somehow if your that determined. I'm not sure though what is the best way to fill and smoothe aluminum or if it can even be done adequately. Show us a photo of your jackplate once you've made it.

[trash boat]

Better answer than I had.
Yes, I agree there's probably anywhere from 2-3 mph more just keep the things he's telling ya in mind as you fabricate it. I wish we had a machine shop where I live. Nearest one is over an hour away.

That hook on your bottom weld or not isn't helping you any either. However, I wouldn't go grinding it off. You will have to fill it somehow if your that determined. I'm not sure though what is the best way to fill and smoothe aluminum or if it can even be done adequately. Show us a photo of your jackplate once you've made it.took the boat out for one last set of hot laps for the year. windy as heck. 15+mph gusts. hit 42mph@5800rpm. this was with the motor set all the way down. I will build the jack plate over the winter and post pics. heres a vid my wife shot. definetly feels faster than it looks on video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aLo2F9-xBI&feature=share

[Allyda]

Cool, glad you got a little more out of her. And it seems you had better luck out than I did today. Half the time I couldn't even get up on plane. I'll have to post my issue in the appropriate area but it sounded and acted like my engine was starving for fuel. The situation got worse the more I ran it and finally after getting in just two good runs up to 6100 rpm's I had to idle her back to the dock hitting the choke every minute or so just to keep her running -without so much as even unlocking my rod locker.

I look forward to seeing a photo of the jackplate after ya get it finished.

[jstew]

The aluminum bead weld on the transom is often built up by the designers as a method to prevent porpoise. It's a necessary designed hook to lift the stern. Grind it off - any positive trim will set the bow to bouncing. All of the 17' aluminum bass hulls are bad about that. They're azz heavy and bow light. Some use weld, some wedge blocks, others aluminum tabs you adjust with a rubber hammer. The small aluminum hulls aren't hydrodynamically designed to run past specific speeds. The Xpress H17 is the fastest of the family with a true pad hull and it also has the welded beads.