Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

[brownies]

98 model 17ft skeeter zx.<br />Three blade stainless 14x25 prop.<br />Manufacture unknown.<br />Max RPM at WOT is 5,000.<br />Max speed is 62mph.<br /> Looking for more speed. Thinking of dropping to a 24 pitch to increase the RPM, but, not sure if that will actually increase the speed as well?Any ideas? (four blade??)

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

4-blade will be slower in most cases...<br />5000RPM is low for proper set-up. Are you on a Jackplate???

 

[brownies]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Boat has a jackplate. (Can't install a motor on this boat without one...just the way this boat was manufactured). No well in the back.<br /> Motor was down all the way on the plate. I just raised it up one inch and will try it tomorrow.<br />Using a straight edge, This put the "top" of the prop at about the same height as the bottom of the pad. Looks like front of lower unit is about 24" behind the rear of the pad (back of the boat).<br /> This thing has a decent holeshot and I guess it's not so bad that it will run 62 at 5000rpm. It just "seems" like with 5000rpm now, I should be able to tune for some more speed without hurting the bottom end much??

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Absolutely.....I would recommend you raise the engine about 1/2" at a time and go test...keep going up until you have no gain in RPM that results in more speed. You "May" reach a point where the speed drops before you get an RPM spike.<br />You need to watch the water pressure when going up.<br />When we're dealing with a jackplate on a pad-bottom boat, we need to reference the dimension of prop-shaft center to pad.<br />If I'm reading you correctly, the prop tips at the top of rotation are even with pad...if that's what you are saying, we are way too low...If you're talking about the top of the prop hub being level with boat bottom, we're in the ballpark for starters.

 

[brownies]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Prop shaft "center"...gotcha. That will be my new basis for measurements.<br />Yes, you are correct in what I was saying to begin with. Uppermost Tip of prop is even with the rearmost "several inches" of the pad. (using a straight edge)....motor was trimmed all the way down. <br />Will be back tomorrow with more info. And results.<br />Thanks!!

 

[gatorred]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

a though on my jack plate if i move mine up to much it gain's rpm to enough to over rev engine

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

That's when a guy needs to be careful, Gregg...as long as you don't let it rev extremely high for any period of time, you'll be OK.

 

[brownies]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Not sure about the outcome of my test. Lower unit has probably been going for some time. Looks like this is going to give me some more RPM, but, I didn't push it due to unknown noise getting worse. (noise was lower unit, not many teeth left on the gears).<br /> I've now got some forced "boating down time". Sending my prop to "BOGER PROPS" with a rundown of my current set-up. I've heard nothing but good about that place. Also heard this is THE MAN when it comes to props/outboard set-ups.<br /> NOW, back to finding a lower unit...OUCH!!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

If you cant find one here on iboats try Jack at Superior Marine at 800-338-9281. Nice guy. Tell him I said howdy.

 

[brownies]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Anybody want in on this one? I can't send my prop away to the shop yet....I was told to raise the motor 3" more inches MINIMUM, make some passes and get more info.<br /> Prop shop guy says I'm nowhere near high enough with the motor (he points to the make, model of boat, motor, prop pitch, speed, and low rpm as basis).<br /> I said, okay, no problem. <br />Finding a lower unit now so that I can do a bit more research...Here's where I need some comments. I found a deal on a 1.86 ratio, but, my 150 has a 2.0 ratio....that's counting where the teeth "were". Does anybody think my little 150 will still pull that 25' prop with the 1.86 ratio?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

Hummm... hard to say. Only because the set up wasnt right to start with. The other thing is that the motor doesnt have a lot of compression to start with. Carb'd model, not the HPDI, right?<br /><br />Then we're back to "are you sure about those numbers"? At only 5000 rpm your slip numbers are good. Too good.

 

[brownies]

Re: Prop recomendations Vmax 150 Skeeter?

(Are slip numbers, mph?)....If so, then I'd agree. Which is why I wasn't just real concerned......until....well, you know...need for speed. This was checked on GPS and speedo.<br /> Then, It got me to thinking to have the prop "tuned".... One thing led to another and If I'm THAT far off on the set-up. HEY, maybe if I can get the set-up right, It oughta fly.<br /><br /> Yes, it's a carb model.