V Hull Engine Height

[Turborr]

I have always heard that with a v hull you should run the engine as high as you can while maintaining water pressure. I have been looking at a few videos and seeing that most boats do actually have a better top speed surfacing the prop where a blade or 2 is actually out of the water. My question is, is where is the fine line between surfacing the prop or having the blades lower in the water for more bite? Has anyone done some real testing on this? Just curious.

[JohnR]

In my opinion it depends on the hull weight, design, and speed you're running. My boat wanted the motor lower do it got enough bite to carry the bow when it was running 62 with an Evinrude with a regular lower. With the same prop and a similar designed gear case on my Merc with only 50 to 75 more hp the boat runs 75 mph, I can run the prop higher and need less positive trim to carry the bow. This is a relatively heavy hull with an open bow with interior up there and no pad on the bottom. A padded hull especially a lighter one could run the prop way higher.

John

[donmac]

that's why they make hyd. jackplates so you can have good hole shot and max speed!otherwise you have to compromise and settle for what is most important to you!

[Motv18]

Typically as high as you have water pressure. The real drawback is if your hull rolls hard and the hull is wide you lose corner bite without running a heavy cup prop. Hole shot suffers as you increase pitch, or get high enough to suck air in from the surface. A fine balace pushing the envalope.