Need help with an underpowered procraft

[dlivewyer]

I will be picking up an '83 17' procraft next week and putting my motor on it ('74 85hp evinrude without trim n tilt at the moment).:o I will be adding an after market T n T unit soon. I WILL be getting a bigger motor ASAP but first things first, I have to get it on the water. :p The boat is rated for a 130hp and it weighs 1050lbs empty. I have a 17p michigan prop in good condition. The trim unit will give it 6" of set back when I get it. OK, here's the questions.....

Is there any hope that this boat will perform at a decent level without it just knocking that old motor in the head? :confused:
At what height should I set this motor to begin with?
What is the WOT rpm's on this engine? 5500?
How do you hook up a tach? Is it something I could do? I 'can' turn a wrench a little ;) I'm just not that familiar with outboards.
Also a water pressure guage? I really don't think I'll have it jacked up high enough for this but I don't know how high that is. If so, what psi should I stay above.

I know it won't be a screamer but I want to try to get the best out of it for now. Any help you could offer would be much appreciated. :)

[hsbob]

with that motor and a 19"ss prop on a checkmate boat you're looking for about 45mpg. with you weight you'll be lucky to get 40. wait for your new motor before getting what you have listed. have them match the new hp.

[Rickracer]

If you shop around a bit, you may be able to find the pieces to add O.E. T&T to your motor, then you could get a jackplate instead of the T&T unit. Also, a 135 or 140 powerhead should bolt on your combo with some minor alterations. :cool:

[Tampa Cat]

I would be tempted to bolt your motor up as is and enjoy the fresh spring weather.Prop it small starting out and save the t.n.t and jack money for more motor.You might go faster sooner.

[Tampa Cat]

Do you need tnt to get in and out of shallow water?Sorry,I did not consider that.

[dlivewyer]

Thanks for all the thoughts and ideas. I do need t&t in the lakes I fish, there is alot of shallow water. I may just wait on the t&t and tuff it out until I get another motor. And I know my speed performance options will increase when I do.

But until then, is there advice on how to set this rig up with this motor so that it will carry the load to it's best potential, or is it really not going to matter that much and I ought to just bolt it on and go with however it runs. I just don't want the motor to lug too much or as little as possible.

[Rickracer]

...run the motor as high as you have water pressure and bite, and try a 17P OMC SST prop (just like the stock aluminum, only stainless). That should get you pretty close.

[dlivewyer]

...run the motor as high as you have water pressure and bite, and try a 17P OMC SST prop (just like the stock aluminum, only stainless). That should get you pretty close.

My michigan 17p is stainless....is the omc better? Is 2" below pad a good starting place? Is a 6" jackplate about the most I would want with a 17' boat, if not, what would be the max I would want?

I appreciate all the info.:)

[Rickracer]

.... but it'll probably get the job done anyway. I don't know if a 6" would be all you'd need either, because I'm not that familiar with your hull either. Assuming it's a typical fishing type hull with a casting deck up front, rod holders, storage compartments, and a trolling motor up front, 8" would probably be better, and if you don't have a notched transom, possibly a 10" would work too. The reason I suggested a 6" was that I'm sure it would be an improvement, and they are common enough you should be able to find a used one pretty cheap. On the other hand, I'd hate to see ya spend beacoup bux on a new 10" and have it cause ya problems. :cool:

[dlivewyer]

Thank you for your help.:)