Performance Question!

[Thermodude]

I have a good idea of what Im going to hear, but Ill ask anyway. I have a 92 Hydra- Sports VS 150T, 17ft. 6inch bass boat. Its powered by a 92 Evinrude 150 Spitfire, with a Turbo 2+2, over and thru exhaust type prop. The boat runs great, comes up very fast and at WOT, motor trimmed and all runs around 62-63 MPH, at 5500 RPMs with me and my gear on board. No handling problems or anything...........smooth as silk. The guys in my club and some of my friends are ridding me hard to instal a jack plate..............I just dont feel its needed. Can someone tell me if they feel it will give me that much better performance?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Performance Question!

Just my opinion, but if it runs great and gets you the speed and good handling that you have, I would skip the jackplate to gain a few miles per hour. If you had handling problems or other power problems, I would say yes, go ahead and try it. I am a firm believer that if it works for you, let it be.. Many people work hard to get what you have now by doing this or doing that and never achive perfection. You are very close to that now from the way it's sounds. Just roll with the punches and enjoy the ride....<br /><br />PS- You may want to re-prop/pitch and get those RPM's up to around 5800-6000 for best performance.

 

[DJ]

Re: Performance Question!

Thermodude,<br /><br />It's hard to fool with a set up that you are comfortable with.<br /><br />If I tried anything, I would raise the engine one notch on the transom and see how that works. If it does give a couple more MPH and some more RPM's while retaing good handling qualities, you're a step ahead. Without the expense.<br /><br />Yor total investment, in that experiment, will be a few hours and a tube of 3m 5200 sealant.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Performance Question!

This one of those things, especially in Bass clubs, (Been there done that) That rate in there with keeping up with the Joneses. Sure, if you have lots of money to throw at your boat, then go with a hydralic Jack plate. you will have to change your prop probably, (Seems you need to anyway), Also there is getting used to it. Depends on where you fish also. Do you have to run for 10 miles to fish and would the extra (maybe) 5 MPH be worth it to you. No matter how fast you go, there will allways be someone else faster, or there will be next year, Id say lets not play the game and be happy with what you have.<br /><br />Smart tabs will work wonders on your Bass Boat, I know you never see them on them, but they will help your overall performance. Im putting them on mine.

 

[Tracy Coleman]

Re: Performance Question!

Something to think about. The cost of the jackplate, oh-now your steering cables(2) are too short-sign me up for a pair of those, maybe the throttle and shift are too short too, then there is a new prop to take advantage of the new setup. You can look forward to probably one to three mile per hour if you are set up good now. Go to a Hydra-Sports owners set up forum and find out what somebody else is doing with the setup you may want to try, maybe some prop people like Rich Boger. See if it is worth that $400-1,000 you may spend.<br />Backfire

 

[Thermodude]

Re: Performance Question!

Thanks for the help guys, Im pretty happy with my current settup. But in reading your comments Im kind of concerned about my prop. Im being told by the mechanic at our local shop that 5500 RPMs is where I should be with the engine I have................is this wrong? Ive never had any problems with it, but by the same token I want it to last as long as it will. Any help would be great!

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Performance Question!

I think by simply raising one hole, you will gain about 150 RPM and a little speed with no ill-effects on handling.5650-5700 wouldn't be too bad loaded.