Renegade 31 Repower

[tommy1965]

Hello everyone. I have a Renegade 31 that I'm going to repower with a pair of Mercury Verado 400R's. How many inches should the anti-ventilation plate be above the keel bottom line? I was thinking 2 or 3 inches? The bracket has 26 inches of setback.

[Jim Speros]

In the most general terms and not being familiar with your boat I'll say having the ventilation plate 2 to 3 inches up with a 26 inch set back is going to put height a standard stock height. The water will rise about that much as it reaches the gearcases. By todays standards that is relatively low. It is a good starting point. Hopefully you have some adjustment left to raise them. Depending on the balance and design of your boat along with propeller selection you may find an additional 2 to 3 inches or more is beneficial.

[tommy1965]

Thanks Jim. The Renegade 31's lineage comes from the Magnum 27 and Signature 27 hulls. 8 foot beam, 24 degree deadrise, and straight non vented bottom. The gearcases are 5.44 HD. I was thinking of going with Mercury Revolution 4 blade props with a 25 pitch. It does 65 mph with Merc 250EFI's and 3 bladed Mirage with 25 pitch. Probably going to be in the 75+ mph range. Both set ups have 25 inch lowers. No jackplates. The weight is about 5000 lbs. The 400's came off a Statement 35 weighing 9500lbs. It did 65 mph effortlessly.

Tom