86 Valero yt Setup Question

[aaron bjerke]

Just purchased this past weekend w/o a motor. I plan to put a 94 2.5 200 merc on it with cmc jackplate. What is the best prop setup? Also Im not looking for more than 85 mph, just want to dust the damn jetskis and do some skiing.

Ill install solid mounts in the motor and it already has dual cable steering.

Any thoughts? Ive read all the old posts and the concensus has been a 26 or 28p. I have little experience with Hydrostreams, my last boat a Checkmate Starflight required a 23p tempest to lift the bow. I can only assume this boat will need no bow lift but just more pitch for speed? What model props are the best for this application.

Ill also probably buy one 19 or 21 p prop for pulling skiiers.

Thanks!

[action20]

85 MPH should be easy with that hull and motor combo.

Anyone here will tell you set back is the key to that hull. if you have a CMC jack plate that is 5.5 inches of set back. I would suggest getting the CMC spacers of 2.5 inches to get you to a total of eight inches. That should be plenty.

there is a guy here who really tweaked his YT and ran 93-96 with a pro max 225. He ran 10 inches. He really liked a 29 SRX by DAH. I just picked up my YT and he helped me out quite a bit. My friend runs a Mazco 29 RE 3 that runs good on that hull as well. he has a mariner 2.5 magnum 1994 200 HP EFI.

engine height i think you should run these with the prop shaft at least even with the pad. maybe 1/4-1/2 higher so you will need a nose cone as well. Bobs on that. A stock 2.5 should run 88 with a good set up. hold on there will be a lot of over steer with the taller props.

for a good ski prop check out Bassboatcentral.com under 23 inches and lower. there are a ton of 3 and 4 blade thru hull props that should work great for skiing. There may be some on this website too but they tend to be higher pitches for sale and usually choppers. i peronally like the thru hub way better for skiing and heavy loads.

good luck !!! i'm setting mine up too i will let you know how it goes. i bought a virgin with not even a jackplate.

[Tom D.]

On mine I have 10" setback and 28 chopper. Stock 93 200 merc. Best I got so far is 85.8.

Tom

[at100plus]

That guy was me.


I recommend a hydraulic jack. If you want more punch go with the 26p chopper or semi cleaver. Stay away from cleavers, you need big HP to make a cleaver run well on that hull.

DAH reworked OMC SRX Propellers are great on that hull. Next best for me was a Lightning ET. I ran a 29 SRX and a 28 ET often but I had a 225 Pro Max.

The SRX was good accelerator and great top end, best of both worlds. My favorite all around prop for that boat. They run odd numbers so get a 27 if you get an SRX. You should be able to find a stock SRX here on the boards. Try it first, see where you are on RPMs and speed and call John at DAH tell him what you have and he will work wonders for you.

I had 10" setback. It will work with 6 to 8 too so you've gotten good advice so far from Action20. If you have a hyd. jack, jack it at 75+ till you see the water pressure drop then bump it back down a notch. If you don't have hydraulic, start at 1/2" above the pad with the center of the bullet on your gearcase. You need a nosecone with low water pickups.

[at100plus]

Tom has my 10" setback jack from my Valero too!

[aaron bjerke]

Thanks guys, yes it does have a CMC hyd jack. I stripped the hull down last night and still have yet to find anything wet, rotted or any cracked gel/fiberglass. Looks to be in pretty good shape.

Im working on the motor combo right now. Is it worth installing solid motormounts? I have a 89 200 powerhead that i will be installing on a 95 xri motor. I plan on keeping it carbed not efi. Everthing I have heard so far is that premix and carb will keep the motor in good shape. too many bad injector stories..

I have picked up smaller ski props from bassboatcentral before and will do so for the slow ski prop. If setback is an issue for top end, then would cupping on the prop and larger dia help to create bow lift? I had a 23p tempest plus on my checkmate and 225 hp combo before and it made a world of difference..

Im a little new to the srx or those type props, you may have to explain the differences between a standard chopper and an srx?

[at100plus]

Solid lower mounts are a must for handling.


The setback is important because you want to fly the boat nice and level without positive trim. Bow lift won't be a concern. If you have a 6" CMC get a set of two inch spacers and that should be enough.

[Tom D.]

You should put the solid mounts in now while the power head is off. That is if you have the 2 piece exhaust plate. DON'T just put in lower solid mounts like someone said (I won't say who and he knows better, I'm a little surprised too!). :eek: Major booboo could result.
Seat time! I to had a Checkmate before the Valero. Its a whole different animal. When you get used to driving it you will be able to drive just about anything.

Tom

[at100plus]

Does a 93 200 have rubber uppers? I was just giving him minimum Tom. I'd surely recommend solid mounts all the way around but if you are pressed for cash or don't want to remove the powerhead, not changing the upper mounts won't hurt handling, it'll just give you a bouncy engine basically.

[Tom D.]

Mike,
I wouldn't even let you drive it with just lower solid mounts. Use your head MAN!!!

Tom

[at100plus]

Tom all the Mercs I've ever owned came with them, they were Pro Maxes or 2.5 race motors. The only engines I've had that didn't come with solids were OMC and they only needed lower mounts. The uppers don't affect steering/handling.

[aaron bjerke]

guys, i have a certified marine mechanic doing the motor work and Ill hang and rig the engine since this is my first real do it from scratch boat build. I have entirely stripped the boat and have the motor in pieces. The powerhead is off the mid and i can have the solid mounts installed. When it comes to handling and safety, cost is something not to skimp on. I appreciate your comments and help and will follow your information. I also am curious about the two piece tuner? How will i know other than I assume when you open up the mid or tuner there are two drop in sleeves?

[Skittles]

anything more than 6" of setback will do nothing more than cause a slow speed hop and put un needed stress on the transom. We tried 10" first and then in an effort to make the boat launch harder we switched to a 6"..............we did not gain much for holeshot, but it took alot of the hop out of the boat and on top it is as fast, if not faster with the 6".


I tried all kinds of props on my old YT and the best IMO is the hoss triton. All though the fastest prop yet is a 30" cleaver at 95.5 mph (with a carb'd 200 like yours on a 6" jackplate) the hoss triton is right there with it on top, and is far better everywhere else (mid range, holeshot, etc etc).

You will most likely run a 28" most of the time, but a 30 will probably produce the big #'s. This has been my experience with YT's so far.

I also went from a Starflight to a YT, and will say a YT is probably the most fun boat to drive that I have had yet.......so much fun I am thinking hard about buying it back............Good luck with it, have fun and be safe.:)

[at100plus]

I tried Greg's Terzian's 30 Cleaver on my Valero a known good running cleaver with a 225 Pro Max and it didn't seem to be making enough horsepower for it. It threw alot of rooster tail lost bow lift and just plain sucked. That prop worked great on Helmut's Virage though with much more HP.


I tried Warren Elliot's Hoss at the CT River Run one year too, didn't work for me. 29 SRXs worked by DAH have worked well on several of my boats.

I'm not discounting your performance, I guess it just goes to show, it's still trial and error boat by boat.

[rmh77]

Also CLE gear case seems to be the best for that boat also.