Top Speed Question..

[JohnnySCV]

Hello and thank you in advance for reading. I recently purchased a 1992 Champion Bass Bass Boat 20' 1" with a 200 HP Mercury outboard, with 3 carbs, not EFI. It has a Quicksilver LaserII 23 pitch prop. I have beed told different things about the top speed, anything from 60 MPH to 76 MPH. Today, the first real day of use I was carrying three people average weight 175 Lbs, with between 25 and 30 gallons of gas. I was lnly able to get it up to 52.8 MPH per the GPS. Not sure if it matters but the elevation of the lake is 1400 ft and the temp was in the mid 70.... no wind to speak.

Your thoughts??

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Top Speed Question..

What rpm were you turning? Where you trimmed up to the point where the boat would start to porpoise? How heavy is the boat?

I just purchased a 91-2.5 200HP EFI Merc off a gentlemans 21 ft Checkmate and with a 24" pitch prop single person low fuel load seen 65 mph. He has a hydraulic jackplate and a pretty light bowrider so its tuned for speed.

I would say with setup/tuning you could get 60mph out of her on the right day closer to sea level.

 

[Ohioriver]

Re: Top Speed Question..

I agree with 4jaw, you won't see much more speed with a 23 pitch prop, I was running a 26 pitch with a 150 on an 18 foot and would get 65 on a good day, a 200 on a 20 foot with 200hp and 23 pitch sounds like 60 to 65 tops, low fuel one person jack plate set right.

 

[JohnnySCV]

Re: Top Speed Question..

Several weeks later here is the result. The tach was not working so I had no idea what my RPM's were @ WOT. After replacing the voltage regulator I found that I was under-propped with the 23 pitch. I borrowed two props from a buddy of mine and the reults are as follows. 24 pitch hit 58 MPH but was still exceeding recommended RPMs @ WOT. 25 pitch 4 blade prop with a full to 3/4 tank of gas (about 25 gallons) hit 60 MPH (GPS Speed reading) with two adults fully loaded with fishing gear. I figure I can pick up a another MPH or two if when I purchase a 25 pitch prop if I get a 3 blade, but that would be a post for a different forum. Thanks for your input.