21 Olympia - like Action Marine and Paramount

**JB Olympia21** · 11-27-2017, 09:09 AM

What's up guys. I'm new to the forum. I recently bought the 21 Olympia that was posted in the classifieds. The boat has no power but I'm looking to throw a 250 on it. For the guys with Actions or Paramounts what do you suggest as far as setback, prop, 20 or 25 on this Boat? Any advice is appreciated.

**FUJIMO** · 11-27-2017, 03:02 PM

...Congradulations on buying a great boat. 99% of people rig them with 25'' shaft motors. These boats don't really need any setback, but again, quite a few rig them with a short stationary(or adjustable) setback. Personally, I prefer simplicity = no setback. If I owned one again, I would not use it as most everyone else would. I would rig mine with a 20", low water pickup gearcase, on a short hydraulic Porta Bracket...But that's just me, and how nowadays, I would use the boat. Most everyone else uses them in rougher water, etc., where a 25'' is a bit wiser.

**JB Olympia21** · 11-28-2017, 07:53 AM

Thanks for the reply. As of now I'm leaning toward a 6" setback manual Jack plate with a 20" 250 Opti But things can change as deals start popping up.

**XstreamVking** · 11-28-2017, 08:02 AM

Take the money from the manual jack plate and put it toward a porta bracket like fujimo suggested. Best money you can spend. Biggest difference in the boat you can make. I have one on my 26' custom built V-hull and couldn't imagine the boat without it. Scott Porta's stuff is over the top in quality and durability. Mine is a 2001 model and still going strong.

**JB Olympia21** · 11-30-2017, 11:58 AM

Thanks guys. I bought the 5.5 inch CMC hydraulic PowerLift that Onetime was selling on the marketplace. He gave me a great cyber Monday deal lol.

**maineidyl** · 12-01-2017, 02:01 PM

I run a 25 inch mid on an old 1980 Mercury 2.4 200 with a jackplate. I think it's a 4 inch set back. Mine runs high 60's to a best of 70. I was looking to swap a 20 inch mid. Any one else using a 25
or is 20 the norm?
Tom

**JB Olympia21** · 12-01-2017, 03:47 PM

Thanks Tom. I'm also curious to know. I haven't decided which route to go... 20 or 25. I'm being patient waiting on the right deal. It just sucks being patient. Lol. I want to be on the water.

**boat addict** · 12-04-2017, 10:42 AM

I just rigged my 21 Olympia with a 05 merc 250xs 20" shaft. I installed it on a 10" manual bracket. It has the torque master lower with 1.75 ratio. The prop shaft is about 1 inch below the bottom with the bracket all the way down which still seems to be to high. The water pressure isn't where is needs to be and my prop slip is crazy high! I've have only ran it a couple of times with the 250, the last time out I was trying a 24 4 blade bravo 1 prop. I just barely reached 6,200 rpm with a calculated prop slip of around 22% with a top speed of 63.7mph on gps. So something is way off with my set up. I was in the same situation as you trying to figure out to go with a 20" or a 25". I went with the 20" because everyone around here suggested the 20" over the 25". My next step is to take the 10" bracket off and put on a 6" that I have because I know the prop shaft will be lower on the 6" bracket. I'm hoping that getting the prop shaft lower will take care of the prop slip% and pick up a lot more speed. Just reading what numbers others are running with these hulls I should be at least mid 70's but I'm currently far from that. I can tell you that with the motor all the way down on the 10" bracket you have to be careful coming off plane not to cover the motor up with water from the wake. I know these boats like trim I was only able to achieve the 63.7 by trim and stopped trimming due to water pressure being low. I know a 25" shaft motor will be more easy to set up and I think with the longer shaft you will have more leverage to pick the boat up out of the water. I will probably have to end to buying a 12" hydraulic bracket and redrill the transom to mount the bracket lower. Then when coming off plan the motor will have to be raised to prevent water coming up the engine cowling which you will have to show who ever drives the boat to do (my wife drives my center console some). I got a really good deal on the 250xs I bought so it is what it is. But I would really do some more research and possibly go with a 25" to make things more simple. I'm going to try to switch to the 6" bracket as soon as I have time, I will give you a update after. If anyone has any advice on my setup I'm all ears and would appreciate any help, thanks.

My prop slip numbers

gear ratio 1.75

Propeller pitch 24

rpm 6200

speed 63

prop slip 22%

**vnemous** · 12-04-2017, 10:50 AM

How about a picture of the back of boat and pad? What are your water pressure and temp?

**boat addict** · 12-04-2017, 11:00 AM

I'm trying to figure out how to post some pictures. I don't have any pictures of a straight edge showing prop shaft height. Hopefully I will be able to get some later this week. Max water pressure with the bracket all the way down has been maybe 15psi. Last time out I was monitoring both temp sensors using a scan tool while running. Temperatures were around 125 while running, I was keeping a close watch on them because of water pressure. My prop shaft is about one inch below the pad.

**boat addict** · 12-04-2017, 11:49 AM

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**boat addict** · 12-04-2017, 11:53 AM

JB I really like the color of your boat, thats a sweet looking ride. Sorry for the sideways picture, not sure how to correct it. Those pictures were taking during rigging, I don't run cable steering on this motor haha, and the bracket has been lowered all the way down since pictures.

Sorry JB not trying to hyjack your thread I'm hoping that sharing my set up will help you with your decision on a 20'' or 25''

**XstreamVking** · 12-04-2017, 02:12 PM

Porta bracket would have easily solved the problem of not having enough movement up or down. A para-lift would also be an improvement.

**vnemous** · 12-04-2017, 02:39 PM

15 psi is more than adequate for a 3 liter, in fact 10 is more the norm. How big is the notch in your transom? That adds to set back and will allow you to run the motor possibly a little higher. I run my superboat about 1 1/2" above the pad. Now I have a bobs nosecone but with 15 psi water pressure you can probably still go up some. I assume your TM has 4 holes in the nose. Its about volume of water not psi with a 3.0 JMO

**boat addict** · 12-04-2017, 02:44 PM

Thanks for the reply, I will take a look at those. I found that with the torque master mercury says that the top four holes can be blocked off the side water pick us. So I might have to go that route as well. I just don't understand how the other guys are getting such good speed numbers.