Suggestions for more speed?

[Ntinhri]

I have a 86 18' winner bass boat with a 175HP black max attached. I currently have a 24p Quicksilver prop on it. I can plain it out to about 5000RPM's @55 MPH.. if I go to far she side walks on me. SO I want to get a back up prop and I was wondering should I get another 24p prop OR is there any suggestions on a prop that would give me more speed or 55 about all Ill get out of it??

BTW engine is good to go 120 psi across the board, new head gaskets, new plugs, new trigger and stator..

 

[steelespike]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Unfortunately I can't help much on a prop for more speed.
It appears you are darn close to the max for that setup.
I can suggest that you raise the motor on the transom to the highest point with the least ventilation( cavitation) problems.Be sure the throttle opens all the way.
Or you might add a power jack plate to fine tune the height for any conditions.
At 55 getting more may take some thought,research etc.
There are some guys here that may be able to suggest some props to try.
I think you are allready having some chinewalk.That isn't likely to get better as you add speed.It can be very dangerous.
The guys at "scream and fly" may be able to add some thoughts about getting more speed.
By the way what is the rated hp for the boat?

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

i would think that if it's already starting to walk...any more might be kinda dangerous.....

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

I have a 86 18' winner bass boat with a 175HP black max attached. I currently have a 24p Quicksilver prop on it. I can plain it out to about 5000RPM's @55 MPH.. if I go to far she side walks on me. SO I want to get a back up prop and I was wondering should I get another 24p prop OR is there any suggestions on a prop that would give me more speed or 55 about all Ill get out of it??

BTW engine is good to go 120 psi across the board, new head gaskets, new plugs, new trigger and stator..

Those boats had a fairly good hull design. Everything you mention indicates the motor is running too low and/or the setback may be slightly off. Is the motor on a jackplate? I'd work the setup with the existing prop first.

 

[Ntinhri]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Sorry forgot that.. I think the previous owner called it a 10" jack plate? I can measure it if someone tells me what to look at.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

I'm running a 150 XR6 with 25p prop (pro v) getting 57.8 on GPS at 5500rpm (thought it was 68 but speedo was off:facepalm I have a 1991 Ranger and the chine walk comes in at 55mph but goes away after that. On Merc's website they have a good tool for finding a prop based on boat spec, current prop data, rpm, etc. It should give you the general direction to get you what you want.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Might check out Mobster tabs by Nauticus. They are specifically designed for fast running bass boats. They will eliminate the chine walking and increase your speed.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Might check out Mobster tabs by Nauticus. They are specifically designed for fast running bass boats. They will eliminate the chine walking and increase your speed.

So what do you think about tabs? I've wondered about these?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Sorry forgot that.. I think the previous owner called it a 10" jack plate? I can measure it if someone tells me what to look at.[/QUOT

OK, good info. A 10" seems a little excessive for an 18' boat which could explain some of the handling issues but let's look at the overall set up for now. The setback refers to how far back the plate sets the motor back. If it's a 10" plate the plate the motor mounts to will be about 10" behind the transom.

Also, is it manually adjustable or is it a hydraulic jackplate?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

So what do you think about tabs? I've wondered about these?

No question tabs can help handling though as I understand it if the tabs are active with the water they do create drag.Perhaps the monster tabs are different.
The very few tests I've seen the fastest setting was with the tabs retracted.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

The mobster tabs are just like the other tabs designed by nauticus. They retract after a certain amount of load to them, once on a plane they cause no drag. They are valved to relax once on a plane. They are garranteed to improve top end speed among other things. They will also take care of the chine walking.

No question tabs can help handling though as I understand it if the tabs are active with the water they do create drag.Perhaps the monster tabs are different.
The very few tests I've seen the fastest setting was with the tabs retracted.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

What is the proper motor height on a bass boat? I know if will differ from boat to boat and how it handles-but as a general starting point what is the norm--if there is such a thing.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Every boat has its limitations. I had a 79 Cajun bassboat with the 175 hp Black Max, and it'd start chine walking on you @ 53 mph. Trim tabs and other items won't help.

If you have an adjustable jack plate, your best bet would be to find a good prop shop and use their free advice. (You said you're going to get a new prop.) Or, find a Mercury dealer that specializes in high performance bass boats (like Allison or Skeeter), and get their advice.

A correct prop and adjusting the engine height to the optimum level may be all you can do.

Note: The Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament fishermen are using 21' bass boats--most with 250 hp Optimax's. They're getting from 72 to 74 mph by GPS, and will walk away from bass boats with 150 hp motors.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Every boat has its limitations. I had a 79 Cajun bassboat with the 175 hp Black Max, and it'd start chine walking on you @ 53 mph. Trim tabs and other items won't help.

If you have an adjustable jack plate, your best bet would be to find a good prop shop and use their free advice. (You said you're going to get a new prop.) Or, find a Mercury dealer that specializes in high performance bass boats (like Allison or Skeeter), and get their advice.

A correct prop and adjusting the engine height to the optimum level may be all you can do.

Note: The Bassmaster Elite fishing tournament fishermen are using 21' bass boats--most with 250 hp Optimax's. They're getting from 72 to 74 mph by GPS, and will walk away from bass boats with 150 hp motors.

Sorry man, but your not correct when you say tabs won't help! Thats what these tabs were invented for was high speed bass boats.. They completely stop chine walking. Will all tabs help, no. But nauticus tabs will....

You are correct in saying motor height has something to do with it. In general, boats that go less than 50 mph will want there anti-ventilation plate even to 1 inch above the keel of the boat. Boats that go faster will want the boat up higher. You can move up 1 inch per 10 mph as a basic rule above 40 mph. Like 50 to 60 mph =2 inches up, 60 to 70 mph = 3 inches up. Pretty sure 3 inches up is as far as you can go. There is a limit to it and it depends on speed.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

What is the proper motor height on a bass boat? I know if will differ from boat to boat and how it handles-but as a general starting point what is the norm--if there is such a thing.

The correct height for any given rig is a marriage between the prop technology, bottom design and useage. Setback plays a big part. The Quicksilver prop is decent but there are other props that may be better suited for what you want to do but right now we need to establish a baseline with what you have. Max out what you have, make one change at a time and then buy different things.

 

[Sprky]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

You need to try Bass Boat Central or The Allison Board. Chine walk is a function of the boat trying to fall off the pad. It is like riding a bicycle, you have to balance it. You do that with small steering inputs. Most people "saw on the wheel" and it makes things worse.

Things that will help:

*Trim on the wheel
*Hot foot
*Solid motor mounts
*Water pressure qauge
*Properly adjusted dual cable steering

It takes time to learn to properly drive one "on the pad" It will take forever if you don't have the above mentioned.

Your rpm's are too low. Find a 23/ tempest and jack the motor up more. (the tempest will hold up at higher elevations than the QSS that you are now running, resulting in more speed)

Don't be afraid to let the motor "EAT" Mercury's have great over rev potential. Getting the motor up and spinning 6/7000 is not an issue.. Your set back is fine if a little short.

Tabs are a waste of time, you will never see a fast bass boat with them.

Bamaman and Dhadley have given some good starting info, There is plenty more to be had with the set up you have right now. You need to make friends with someone who knows how to find it.

Here is a vid. If you watch carefully, you can see the balance act that is required.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoR8J_uIAG4

Here is another one, if you watch the first 30sec. you can see the guy working the wheel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzN_Gwdt_nI&feature=related

Six

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Sprky:

I put Bennett hydraulic trim tabs on my inboard outboard, because the engine's too heavy for my hull. It now comes out of the hole fast, but I retract them after getting on a plane. They're not helpful when my boat chine walks @ 50 mph. (Note: All the large Sundowner type boats and Cigarette boats have to use trim tabs to even get on a plane.) Tabs are a great addition to any full hulled boat, but really don't serve any purpose on a bass boat or pontoon boat.

When I got out of high school, I had a 13' Allison with a 100 hp Merc. We'd have to climb up on the deck to get the engine to hook up--and it'd just skip across the water in the low 60's. That was before power trims came in. It was a fast but miserable ride.

Then, we went to a 1970 Flying Dutchman tunnel hull with a 135 hp Merc. with power trim--incredible handling and running low 70's. Anderson Boats in Cullman, Al went to the lake with a bunch of props, and we experimented with the props and the engine height until we found the ultimate package for our use.

In any given geographic area, there are boat dealers selling the faster bass boat hulls, and dealers that race tunnel hulls and "pleasure boats"--aka Allisons. These are also the dealers that'll often sell Mercury's factory race motors. I'm a fan of hydraulic motor mounts and a dealer that'll go to the lake with you to squeeze every mph out of your boat.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

You need to try Bass Boat Central or The Allison Board. Chine walk is a function of the boat trying to fall off the pad. It is like riding a bicycle, you have to balance it. You do that with small steering inputs. Most people "saw on the wheel" and it makes things worse.

Things that will help:

*Trim on the wheel
*Hot foot
*Solid motor mounts
*Water pressure qauge
*Properly adjusted dual cable steering

It takes time to learn to properly drive one "on the pad" It will take forever if you don't have the above mentioned.

Your rpm's are too low. Find a 23/ tempest and jack the motor up more. (the tempest will hold up at higher elevations than the QSS that you are now running, resulting in more speed)

Don't be afraid to let the motor "EAT" Mercury's have great over rev potential. Getting the motor up and spinning 6/7000 is not an issue.. Your set back is fine if a little short.

Tabs are a waste of time, you will never see a fast bass boat with them. Bamaman and Dhadley have given some good starting info, There is plenty more to be had with the set up you have right now. You need to make friends with someone who knows how to find it.

Here is a vid. If you watch carefully, you can see the balance act that is required.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoR8J_uIAG4

Here is another one, if you watch the first 30sec. you can see the guy working the wheel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzN_Gwdt_nI&feature=related

Six

Funny, because even "Iboats" sells these Nauticust Mobster tabs for competition bass boats. Maybe you should try some. I have seen plenty of them installed around here on bass boats that top 70 mph. They seem to love them. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...0ZzjDw&usg=AFQjCNEJrA7WhdDeLNxgKqosV4qypLukBw They were designed specifically for fast competition bass boats!

 

[Sprky]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

I have seen plenty of them installed around here on bass boats that top 70

Sure......what ever you say.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Suggestions for more speed?

Sprky:

I put Bennett hydraulic trim tabs on my inboard outboard, because the engine's too heavy for my hull. It now comes out of the hole fast, but I retract them after getting on a plane. They're not helpful when my boat chine walks @ 50 mph. (Note: All the large Sundowner type boats and Cigarette boats have to use trim tabs to even get on a plane.) Tabs are a great addition to any full hulled boat, but really don't serve any purpose on a bass boat or pontoon boat.
When I got out of high school, I had a 13' Allison with a 100 hp Merc. We'd have to climb up on the deck to get the engine to hook up--and it'd just skip across the water in the low 60's. That was before power trims came in. It was a fast but miserable ride.

Then, we went to a 1970 Flying Dutchman tunnel hull with a 135 hp Merc. with power trim--incredible handling and running low 70's. Anderson Boats in Cullman, Al went to the lake with a bunch of props, and we experimented with the props and the engine height until we found the ultimate package for our use.

In any given geographic area, there are boat dealers selling the faster bass boat hulls, and dealers that race tunnel hulls and "pleasure boats"--aka Allisons. These are also the dealers that'll often sell Mercury's factory race motors. I'm a fan of hydraulic motor mounts and a dealer that'll go to the lake with you to squeeze every mph out of your boat.

I sometimes feel like I'm beating a dead horse but oh well, I would recommend these to anyone.Hydraulic tabs do not do what nauticus tabs do. When you fully retract a hydraulic tab, it is not going to help with any stability side to side like chine walking unless you constantly adjust them yourself, and at those speeds, thats not something you want to be doing.

The nauticus tabs adjust automatically and independently. Kinda like a shock absorber. The difference is that the tabs actuators are valved so there is no build up of pressure like a car shock. They relax when on full plane but react all the time to different pressures causing the boat to ride more level and more stabil in all conditions. They have different sizes based on hp,weight and size of boat. The Mobster tabs are made specifically for the high speed bass boats. They are garranteed to improve speed and eliminate chine walking among other things.

You are right,pontoons do not need trim tabs.