21 challenger winter upgrades

[Mjed1515]

New to me 1976 21 challenger.

Looking to improve my set up. Want to add side mount steering(wing plate) as
im told will greatly improve my chine walk which kicks in at 72-73 mph. 300 xs with 12 inch set back. Have 4 different props tried but can’t get more then 73 and be able to keep the boat under control. Also considering a jack plate as with sportmaster lower feel it is dragging and lending to my chine walk issues.

so ...

what type of steering / wing plate system would you reccomend and what about hydrolic jack plate (bobs?) If so which one.

I know this boat boat should do mid 80’s easy just need some
guidance on what has worked for others out there in challenger / superboat set ups.

thanks

mjed

[vnemous]

Use the search engine lots of info. Half the fun is set up

[capteliminator]

Side ram steering you can't go wrong with Latham. Imco is a cheaper alternative a d still more than adequate. Bob's makes great jackplates. What type of steering do you have now?

[Turborr]

Cheapest option for steering is IMCO. Works perfectly.

[panther150]

higher prop shaft heights and maybe try a bravo prop. James Cole ( member here) used to have one and I think he liked the bravo prop. I think you should be minimum high eighties with proper setup.

[lance]

I don't have a challenger but had similar problems with my 21'. If you haven't already, check the balance of the boat side to side. My setup is extremely sensitive. I carry a level and use to balance gear and passengers before starting out. If I have one person in the back seat, just moving them a few inches can make a huge difference in balancing the boat on the pad at speed.

[vnemous]

A lot of driving this style boat is seat time. You are trying to balance an entire boat on a 6 inch surface. Takes some skill and time. My 76 challenger ran 70 with a 200 efi. I had a friend who had no experience with a pad boat and couldn't get past 60 before chine walk knocked him off the pad.

[berzerko]

Being able to adjust engine hight on the fly is huge... A 1/4” makes a big difference in handleing

sounds like your motor is too deep, with a jack it’s crazy how you can feel when your at that sweet spot...a little to high and the bow drops a little to low and you get chining


swapping out steering also makes a considerable improvement in feel, switched my over a few years ago

go with a bobs jack, by far the most stout of the bunch, I have friends that can break anything, the mid would give before the jack

ive got a deitwiler nice but I’ve seen them crack

good luck

[Mjed1515]

Thanks for the feedback Guys.

going with Bobs jack plate and Latham single ram set up. Plan on keeping this for a long time so want to get the right equipment and then tons of seat time.

Mjed