WOT Numbers

[rdgallo]

I have a 1994 Ranger 375v bassboat with a 1994 Johnson 150 hp Faststrike motor on it. I am running a 3 blade 14 1/2 X 24 Raker prop on it. In the 10 years I have owned this rig (bought it new in 94) I had never run it at wide open throttle. I never knew, until I came across this board, the importance of having your rig set up to get maximum WOT range. I have some numbers to report that I am asking you folks in the know to look at and tell me if they seem realistic. The other day I had two other people in the boat (approximately 500 lbs.), myself (150 lbs.) and about 16-18 gallons of gas. I opened the old 150 up (fairly calm day) and obtained 55 mph (omc speedo - off pitot on lower unit) at 5200 rpm. I might have squeezed some more rpm and speed out of it, but the power plant cooling lake I was running on is small and I was rapidly running out of room. Besides that, there were people trying to fish and I didn't want to ruin their day. Do these numbers look believable or is the speedo off in your opinion? <br />Thanks in advance.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: WOT Numbers

I think its very believable. At those given numbers youre at about 20% slip. Not good but remember you said you thought you could squeeze a bit more out of it. And I take it youre not accoustomed to balancing a boat up on the pad. <br /><br />Given more room and more time on the pad I'll bet you could hit 60 easy.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: WOT Numbers

Dhadley, when I first got the rig in 1994, I had prop spin really bad when turning and accelerating or when just accelerating from cruise in a straight line. While on vacation at Bull Shoals, I pounded down a couple of cold ones with the marina wrench and he said he would take a look at my boat. To make a long story short, he lowered the motor one hole on the transom and that helped somewhat, but did not stop the prop spin all the time. He then swapped my 4 blade Renegade prop (don't know size and pitch)for this Raker I have now. I still get prop spin sometimes, but stop it by lowering the trim or temporarily reducing the throttle. I am sure with some help, I could get more out of it. Like I said, I had more weight in the boat than I really wanted and was unable to really mess with trim in the short shute I had to run in. Besides that, the other two guys' eyelids were pinned back and I could tell they were not enjoying the ride. I need to get it out on a calm day with just me in it and see what I can get out of it. If I don't do anything, am I low enough on WOT RPM to cause any engine problems? I don't really care to break the sound barrier with it. Like my late father-in-law used to say, "If I am in that big of a hurry to get there, I should've left earlier". Of course, when a bad storm is blowing up your behind, that extra speed would look a whole lot better.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: WOT Numbers

Oh, one other thing - no, I am not accustomed to getting the boat up on the pad correctly.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: WOT Numbers

Truthfully -- I think youre fine. I bet that once you get used to putting her on the pad youll get the rpm youre looking for. Trust me, there isnt anything like the feeling of a good boat up on the pad.

 

[rdgallo]

Re: WOT Numbers

Thanks, Dhadley. I would some day like to get it out on a big lake with little wind with just myself in it to see what I could do with it. I am only about 5' 3'' tall and weigh about 145. I bet with a little tweeking with the trim, I could make it hum along there pretty good. Darn does that Johnson with all those scrap Evinrude parts sound and run good!!!!

 

[KCLOST]

Re: WOT Numbers

Your rpm is fine with that load in your boat...

 

[rdgallo]

Re: WOT Numbers

KCLOST, you remember discussing WOT with me and Dhadley some time back? I don't remember the numbers I put up on here about my boat, but I think I said I was running 62 MPH and did not know what rpm because I didn't look at the tach at the time. I think I also said I had some throttle left too. Well, I don't remember if those numbers were with this prop or not - probably wasn't. You were comparing your boat and 175 Merc with my rig. At least now I have given you some good numbers to look at. I hope my original numbers didn't get you chasing your tail for more speed. By the way, did you get your set up where you wanted it. I know you and Dhadley were working together on it.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: WOT Numbers

I remember, And I played around with my rig a little more. I don't however remember what speeds and rpms I was at at that time, but now I'm reaching 62 mph with just myself in the boat. I ended up raising the motor some and going to a 25 pitch prop to achieve that. And I'm also reaching 5800 rpms at WOT and trimmed out some.<br />You still have me interested in your numbers though. 55mph with 3 people in your 375V is pretty impressive IMO... <br />I do remember however that the discussion we had also dealt with that Fastrike motor you have.. It's a different animal!

 

[rdgallo]

Re: WOT Numbers

KC, I will keep you posted if I get some more numbers. Glad to hear you got some more out of yours. Ol' Dhadley knows his stuff, doesn't he? Others on this board are also great.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: WOT Numbers

I stll wonder sometimes if I'm actually up on pad?<br /><br />Its just a tough one with our 37's rangers....

 

[KCLOST]

Re: WOT Numbers

And I will really appreciate any more info, in additon to D's...