2005 Vegast XT w/2.5XS Optimax - Help me pick a prop

[moatorbotin]

Hi guys, purchased a 2005 Vegast XT over the weekend. 2.5XS optimax w/3.0 mid/sportmaster case.

Boat came with a 26" trophy, 6" manual jack plate.

Boat had the propshaft about 1/2-3/4" above the pad and a 26" trophy when I picked it up. Porpoised terrible under 40, fell off plane at 25, maxed out at 70-72MPH with a lot of trim. 6100-6300 RPM.

I lowered the motor about 1"-1.5", (not sure on relationship to pad currently, and was able to get to 80.8 with much less trim needed. Boat is now running much flatter, porpoises less in the low range, hops on plane a bit quicker, etc. Satisfied wtih the 26" trophy as a haul the wife and kids around kind of prop. I'm guessing there is still a touch more to be had with this set-up, I'm curious if I drop the engine a touch more(I went about 1/2"-3/4" at a time and gained speed each time, boat also handled better and was easier to balance on the pad) if I will gain more speed, figure I'll try again on my next ride until I hit a plateau or lose speed.

I feel like this boat should have a fair amount more in it though. What do you guys think is possible? I'm not a top end junkie, but I like everyone else would like to at least get the boat optimized and see what it's capable of.

What prop should I consider trying? Chopper? Mazco RE3? I've seen some try cleavers? thoughts on pitch? 28, will this motor turn a 30 on this hull? Picture is from before I lowered the engine running 72, any less trim and it slowed down, now, I trim it out, and at about 72 start bumping it in and it accelerates from there.

[hsbob]

i have a 29 tempest for my voyager that was heavily work over. [it was owned by inspector lance who i believed got close to 90 with a voyage and 245hp omc] in runs smoothly at 6400 at 80. that the limit of my 200xs before it duck walks. i would suggest you talk to pyro. hes running a boat close to yours.

[moatorbotin]

@pyro are you still hanging around these parts?
@hsbob what gear ratio gear case do you have?

Last trip out I was around 6500 RPM at 80-81 with the 26" Trophy. Was contemplating how much pitch I could turn in a 3 blade chopper style prop? Mazco RE3 or RE4 have both been suggested by a few people with Vegas (old style hull) that I know, so I was going to start there. my Sportmaster has the 1.87 gears(I thought no), redlines at 6800, so was hoping I could turn a 28-29 RE3? Seems if you can turn the 29 tempest with a boat that has same hull but likely a little more aero drag on a 200, I should be able to pull a 29-30?

[pyro]

I couldn't even get off the line with a 29 Tempest on the old 200. Wouldn’t turn it. The Trophy was good. 26 runs more like a 27. A tuned 28 Chopper runs well. Mazco RE is fast if you have the setback, but less bowlift than the others. I got 80.6 mph at 6300 with a 29 RE3.

Im still around, but I have a Sea Ray now.

[TraceF3]

I'm sorry to tell you that the combination you have isn't ever going to run well. I'll take it off your hands so you can quit dumping $ in to it...

[moatorbotin]

I'm sorry to tell you that the combination you have isn't ever going to run well. I'll take it off your hands so you can quit dumping $ in to it...

Everything is always for sale.

[TraceF3]

Ya that's my life too

[moatorbotin]

I lowered the motor about 1"-1.5", (not sure on relationship to pad currently, and was able to get to 80.8 with much less trim needed.

I'm not sure why I said I lowered the motor, I raised the motor. I'm thinking 28 pitch 3 blad is what I want to try next, probably won't happen this season though, for now just going to enjoy the boat as is and fiddle with set up next summer.

[Merc 2.5]

I would try a 28 chopper, something like offshore or e.t cut on it maybe,

[hsbob]

to answer the question. i have a 1.87 sportmaster. note the heavy worked over. its a one of a kind prop. its struggles to get going, but has top end. i normally use a 26 trophy for all purpose.

[TraceF3]

Hi guys, purchased a 2005 Vegast XT over the weekend. 2.5XS optimax w/3.0 mid/sportmaster case.

Boat came with a 26" trophy, 6" manual jack plate.

Boat had the propshaft about 1/2-3/4" above the pad and a 26" trophy when I picked it up. Porpoised terrible under 40, fell off plane at 25, maxed out at 70-72MPH with a lot of trim. 6100-6300 RPM.

I lowered the motor about 1"-1.5", (not sure on relationship to pad currently, and was able to get to 80.8 with much less trim needed. Boat is now running much flatter, porpoises less in the low range, hops on plane a bit quicker, etc. Satisfied wtih the 26" trophy as a haul the wife and kids around kind of prop. I'm guessing there is still a touch more to be had with this set-up, I'm curious if I drop the engine a touch more(I went about 1/2"-3/4" at a time and gained speed each time, boat also handled better and was easier to balance on the pad) if I will gain more speed, figure I'll try again on my next ride until I hit a plateau or lose speed.

I feel like this boat should have a fair amount more in it though. What do you guys think is possible? I'm not a top end junkie, but I like everyone else would like to at least get the boat optimized and see what it's capable of.

What prop should I consider trying? Chopper? Mazco RE3? I've seen some try cleavers? thoughts on pitch? 28, will this motor turn a 30 on this hull? Picture is from before I lowered the engine running 72, any less trim and it slowed down, now, I trim it out, and at about 72 start bumping it in and it accelerates from there.

OK so I just bought the same hull with a 250xs on it. The prop is a Trophy 28p. Any thoughts on this combination?

[moatorbotin]

So far the best overall handling I’ve found on my set up is even/just above the bottom of the pad. If I go any higher it starts to lose speed. Any lower and it loses speed and seems to porpoise more at lower speeds unless I totally bury the prop.

[R.I.P.]

Get a Hoss 30p or 28p. HPD
1/2" above pad with 6 " setback.

[TraceF3]

Get a Hoss 30p or 28p. HPD
1/2" above pad with 6 " setback.

There seems to be a 28 in props for sale. Seller isn't sure if it's a Triton or HPD. Is this what you're referring to?

Thanks

[R.I.P.]

You have to put boat on a trailer. Place a level under boat on its pad. Adjust boats hight till level on pad is level.
Now get a small level and place it on the cavitation plate. Move motor up or down till its level. Use the level on the pad to line up with the tip of your lower unit. The difference between the level and top of lower unit is where you are set up.