Please help me maximize my current setup and tell me what I'm feeling from my boat!

[rgsauger]

Hey guys. I'm running an 90 Shadow VT20' bass rig - very similar to a Laser on the bottom - like a mod V tunnel - V up front but sponsons on each side out back and a pad on the bottom. Light layup. Have a 200 Merc carb that is healthy. About 4.5" setback on manual jack plate. No low water pickup yet. Laser II prop - 25P.

So I can turn about 5400 with what I consider a normal amount of trim. If I really trim it very high (water going all over the place off the prop - big messy rooster tail), I can get up to about 6000 - 6200 RPM's. On GPS, this is about 63 MPH. The boat hops some at this top speed like it's trying to get up on the pad I guess. According to everyone who has these boats, they are good for high 70's or low 80's with this power.

When I go into the final "trimmed way up" mode, it loosens up just a little but still feels well planted and very controlled. But here's where it gets weird...when I get out of the throttle, it feels like it gets "floaty" or something on the pad. Not scary, but it feels very different for a few seconds and then starts to feel "usual".

For steering, I currently have dual cable that is in pretty good shape. Will add hydraulic later this year. Right now, I can't go further back on my jackplate until I change the steering due to cable bind. Once I change my steering, I'll take my setback to 10" or so but that has to wait for now.

Can you guys please make recommendations on what type or prop I should try? Also, do Lasers and similar start to get on the pad in the low 60's? My holeshot is good but as it breaks over, I have to get out of it as the prop either cavitates or blows out. Either way, I back out of it, let it hook up, then get back in it. Boat porposes at low speeds but not at higher. Does "jump" near top speed.

Thanks for your input, guys.

[David]

I'd start by trying a Tempest or Trophy in the same pitch. You need more lift or more setback or both if your max speed is when you have a big roostertail.

[1FASTLASER]

Ditto! Not enough prop lift

[rgsauger]

Are these the same as a big ear chopper? Thru hub or over or does it matter?

[rgsauger]

Thanks!

[David]

Big ear choppers are over hub, and have good lift. I think you'd have better planing and no speed loss with a thru hub. Just borrow or buy some props. It is easy enough to sell a prop if it doesn't work out.

[rgsauger]

What does it mean when folks talk about ET props?

[David]

ET props are another over hub prop sold by Merc. Less lift than a big ear chopper, better for faster lighter hulls. Probably the wrong answer for you. Trying an ET is on my propeller bucket list.

[rgsauger]

I'll start looking for a big ear chopper. Thanks.

[williamj]

What pitch are you looking for? I have a 29" SRX if you think it'll work.

[rgsauger]

Thanks Williamj. Im probably going to be more in the 26 range, 27 tops. I sure wish i could pull a 29!!!

[loop]

Where do you usually run your boat?
lots of guys in Houston area,self included,that might let you try some props

[rgsauger]

Aw man, that would be awesome! We luve in Huffman at the northeast end of lake Houston. We have two boat ramps in the neighborhood so i usually just run out here. How about yourself?

[rgsauger]

Aw man, that would be awesome! We live in Huffman at the northeast end of lake Houston. We have two boat ramps in the neighborhood so i usually just run out here. How about yourself?

[loop]

this weekend on the San Jac is the Winternationals
I'm not bringing a boat but there will be lots of people there
I cut &pasted this off the B y u boyz site. Its a post with directions,times etc

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
should have started a thread already, but this'll do fine.... We decided we'd give a new place a try and see how it goes, like Greg said, it's called Cypress Coast and it's the weekend of Jan. 18. It's at the end of Highland Shores Dr.... coming from I-10 heading North on FM 2100 (which is exit 787, Crosby Lynchburg Rd.), it's the last road before Banana Bend Rd. Address is:
2730 Highland Shores Dr.
Highlands, Tx. 77562
cycoast.com
The guy that owns it needs to get $10 a head and $10 a boat launch for Saturday....that's how he's gonna make his money
We get a huge sand area for parking, 3 boat launches, 1 in a protected cove with pier all the way around. He has parking for anything you want to park there, no hook ups this year though. If you bring a camper/rv, it's $35, but the driver gets a wrist band and boat launch for Saturday, everybody else is $10 for Saturday only. Also. we can use the swimming area to park boats which will get them out of the river conditions until you're ready to ride in your boat. He's gonna sell beer and bbq but you can bring your own and grill also, just can't sell any food. Gonna be porta cans and 1 flushing toilet if needed, you know how some women can be....got a pavilion real close to the one at Bhuloh and about 200' of pier on the water for viewing or sitting, etc
that's all I can think of for now... http://www.screamandfly.com/images/smilies/beer.gif dmac

[rgsauger]

Thanks for posting about the races this weekend. Now i just gotta figure out how to ditch the company that is supposed to come on Saturday!

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

hey guys. I'm running an 90 shadow vt20' bass rig - very similar to a laser on the bottom - like a mod v tunnel - v up front but sponsons on each side out back and a pad on the bottom. Light layup. Have a 200 merc carb that is healthy. About 4.5" setback on manual jack plate. No low water pickup yet. Laser ii prop - 25p.

So i can turn about 5400 with what i consider a normal amount of trim. If i really trim it very high (water going all over the place off the prop - big messy rooster tail), i can get up to about 6000 - 6200 rpm's. On gps, this is about 63 mph. The boat hops some at this top speed like it's trying to get up on the pad i guess. According to everyone who has these boats, they are good for high 70's or low 80's with this power.

When i go into the final "trimmed way up" mode, it loosens up just a little but still feels well planted and very controlled. But here's where it gets weird...when i get out of the throttle, it feels like it gets "floaty" or something on the pad. Not scary, but it feels very different for a few seconds and then starts to feel "usual".

For steering, i currently have dual cable that is in pretty good shape. Will add hydraulic later this year. Right now, i can't go further back on my jackplate until i change the steering due to cable bind. Once i change my steering, i'll take my setback to 10" or so but that has to wait for now.

Can you guys please make recommendations on what type or prop i should try? Also, do lasers and similar start to get on the pad in the low 60's? My holeshot is good but as it breaks over, i have to get out of it as the prop either cavitates or blows out. Either way, i back out of it, let it hook up, then get back in it. Boat porposes at low speeds but not at higher. Does "jump" near top speed.

Thanks for your input, guys.

well ...in my opinion.....if you cant turn that laser ii 25" more than 5400 rpm without over trimming.....you will never turn a tempest or mirage plus 25 any better. Boat is heavy and carb 200 may be a little low on power for that rig...are you sure your motor is up to snuff "HP OUTPUT" Try a 23 tempest and turn it up as high as you can "without over-trim" laser ii is a "pos" prop for big heavy boats, it was designed for small light hulls...not 20' heavy boats... Mirage plus 23" may be good as well, better than the laser for sure, also a 24" hydromotive intimidator may be a good try. How high is the motor ? Might go take a measure and hit us back with the number. But anywho, higher pitch is not gonna help if you cant turn more than 5400 as is now, what is the boat supposed to weigh ??? I bet it aint as light as you think! I think i read that boat is like 1000# plus.. Empty ..no rigging, so rigged with fuel and gear almost 2000# get that motor height measurment. And ck your motor output. You can run that motor high enough without lwp or a nosecone, you aint even close to fast enough to benefit from either.:cheers:

[rgsauger]

Thanks river runner. I'll take some measurements and pics and post more info. Motor is 118-120 on all holes so that part should be good. Gimme a week or do and I'll get that data. Thanks

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

thanks river runner. I'll take some measurements and pics and post more info. Motor is 118-120 on all holes so that part should be good. Gimme a week or do and i'll get that data. Thanks

comp #'s are only one piece of the puzzle ...motor can have good comp.... But still not putting out 2oo hp for many other reasons.....ign,carbs,timing,etc....comp #'s is only a starting point to determine overall health and potential for good hp.
Hull weight is also a huge factor .....get the boat on a scale.
You are so far off what you believe the boat should run or have been told it should run that you must have something major going on. Motor is weak or boat is super heavy or both...simple prop change and motor height aint gonna do it.;)