Jackplate

[dwonders]

I own a 2003 Skeeter SX180 with a Yamaha V4 115. The set up has remained the same as the day I purchased it. It has a 21-K prop and I am running approximately 46-47 @ 5000 rpm.
My question is, will a manual jackplate and prop change increase that performance any?

Ive read several similar questions asked and there seems to be more infomration provided on this site than others Ive visited.

I get a great hole shot but just seems like Im lacking my top end. Also, does this GPH versus RPM sound relatively consistant with this motor? Ive also heard that because this is a SX, I cannot add a jackplate to this transom...is there any fact to this.
Last and certainly not least...if this is at all possible to do, will the change benifit the overall performance or should I just keep things the way they are currently.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[crb478]

Re: Jackplate

First verify that your motor is running properly, and that your boat does not have any water soaked foam in it. What is your max WOT rpm, I am not sure about that motor, but I would think it was closer to 5500-5700. If that is the case then a prop change and or a jack plate would be in order. If you are running a 21 pitch now try raising the motor up if you are not as high as you can go now. Do that before you change anything else. When you raise it make sure that you are still getting plenty of water to the motor. You can pick up 2-400 rpm by raising the motor. If you drop to a 19 pitch prop you could pick up 2-300 rpm. Once you get in the rpm range you want you might want to look at the jack plate to fine tune the set up. A manual jack plate will let you set it up for either hole shot or top end, a hydrolic one will let you do both.

 

[dwonders]

Re: Jackplate

Not sure what the WOT is. I do have one more notch to raise the motor however. Ive heard on several occassions now the same thing mentioned about my RPMs. Seems like when I hit anything over 5200, I start to rev out.