Prop input?

[bbezok]

1991 Checkmate Pulse 185, 1996 2.5, 200 carb (new to boat), 1.87 lower unit ratio. Current setup, 7.5" of setback, prop center line 3.5" below pad.
26 pitch Tempest Plus, 66.7 mph (GPS) @ 57-5800 RPM.
23 pitch Stainless, older nothing fancy with little to no cupping, 66.2 mph (GPS) @ 6200 RPM.
Motor has heads cut by Chris Carson, Carson Reeds and Stuffers. I didn't want to do too much up front until i knew how motor ran,(all new to me), still has timing module connected.
Next step it to lose the black box and reset timing, will this change any of the above numbers or are they pretty much dictated by the current setup?
I also have an XR6 lower unit, 4-1/4" and a 26 pitch Laser II that i can try, might the smaller diameter prop help?.....that Tempest Plus is a huge wheel.

[David]

If your XR6 is 4.25” it’s probably 1.78 gears which means your 26 Laser would likely be more pitch then you need.
How does it run? Does it carry the bow or do you need a lot of trim?

You could try a 24 Trophy. Used Trophies can be bought and sold without too much lost.

[bbezok]

It is a 4.25", 1993 XR6 so i believe you are correct with the ratio, didn't know if the smaller diameter prop might help.
doesn't need a ton of trim, hard to tell just how much is out of the water but the tail begins to get squirrely in the low 60's and takes a bit of finesse to clam her down before it tops out.
From what I've read, they say these boats like around 12" of setback, if that is true might need to add more. Wonder if i could go up another hole to 2.5 below pad?

[David]

Do you have water pressure and temp gages?

[bbezok]

yes Sir, have both.

[David]

Then sure, try up a notch.

[Baker343]

As David said, Trophy's are work horses.
They usually provide good natural all around lift which allows for less trim and more control.
Trophys have a lot of potential and can usually be modified for different hulls and power.
Mark Croxton can really message a trophy

[bbezok]

Awesome guys, thanks for the input. I'll find a 24 Trophy and see how it responds.

[Euroski]

What are your goals for the boat to run?

[bbezok]

Just like to see MPH lead with a 7......I know it's heavy for an 18.6' boat so not trying break any records, but i'd be thrilled to see 70-72 GPS.

[hsbob]

the 26 tempest is actually a 25. the factory has a mold issue. 24 should be the correct starting point. only issue with a trophy would be transom lift on a light boat.

[bbezok]

Checkmate lists it at 1100 lbs, so it's not that lite. There is a member on here i saw in a thread that has a Pulse with a Promax, need to ask how his is setup with height and setback if i can find where i saw it, might be some help going forward.