1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

[marcus.adelman]

I just purchased this boat and I am looking to find out more specific specification information. Man thats a mouth full.

Basically does anyone know how many of these were made? Any Idea what the stock prop size is? It is a three bladed aluminum prop but I have no idea how to check the pitch.

It runs great. It has a 4.3l mercruiser v6 with 185 hp and I am fairly sure it is an alpha one sterndrive. I have to fix a few things like the speedo and the gas guage. And there is a little bit of rot behind the padding which I am replacing as needed.

Great boat but I need to know more to figure out which SS prop to select. I use the boat mostly for tubing and cruising so holeshot is important but so is midrange and top end. Anyone been here that can help me out? This is my first boat. Thanks in advance.

 

[marcus.adelman]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

I tubed most of the time the first time I took it out and in my over exuberance I forgot to check the tach at WOT the guy who was driving said that it was around 5800-6000 which seems high. I am going to take it out again this weekend and I will make sure to record the WOT RPMs. The reason for a prop replacement being that the aluminum prop on it is getting some edge wear. And by some I mean its fairly blunt. Thanks again.

 

[marcus.adelman]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

So I took it out this weekend and according to my onboard tach it says WOT rpms are 4200. I am in the process of checking to see if my multimeter will measure RPM's or if I need to buy a shop tach. I do a lot of tubing and will eventually work my way into wakeboarding. I am thinking about a High Five SS blade. Any comments? Thanks for any help you can give. Also I am looking to get a good gps/depth finder that will work well on my boat and not break the bank.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

I think that engine is rated at 4600 with a 2 barrel carb and 4800 with the four barrel. I would start out with a 19 to 21 pitch props and go from there.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

If you are turning 4200rpm WOT, check the specs or number on your prop, and if it's Stainless, or Aluminum, if you need to, take it off to read it, then go down numerically in pitch, usually 2" down in pitch will give you 200rpm more,,, until you get to 4600rpm WOT that is top of the recommeded range for your motor. I'm guessing you have something like a 21" pitch on there now. Stick with a 3blade prop for now, a 4, or 5 blade, will lug your motor.

 

[marcus.adelman]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

The pitch the the original prop is a 19". It is an aluminum 3 blade with 14.5" diameter. I am now using a Michigan 4 blade prop thats 14.5X18" Runs great. Next thing is smart tabs. Hopefully that helps when I turn the boat because it leans considerably if the weight isn't evenly distributed.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: 1986 Chris Craft Scorpion 178 LTD

I just purchaced one yesterday, and it only has the 3.0, but I think it will be fine for what I will use it for.

I had a 19" Supra with a big block, but it sucked gas and the stringers were gone. I think this boat is better for what I will use it for (tubing and some sking)

It appears in good shape and also has some rotted wood, but the stringers appear in good condition.

Does anyone know where I can get an owners and repair manual for this boat?

Edit: I e-mailed Chris Craft about this boat. They could not help with manuals but sent a few photos from some sales flyers.

It seems to run fine, but I need to replace the bellows, fix the trim indicator wires and a lot of the "small" stuff that boats like to stay happy.