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Carmena91.
2004 Pantara Classic, 2005 Opti, Rebuilt power head 2012. When I purchased the boat used in 2010 the previous owner stated it would run in the low 70s. I only ran it that fast once and that is when I blew the power head. (over heat, my fault) I have been afraid to push it since then and have been happy to run 4500 RPM 45 to 50 mph. I recently decided to push it again and cannot get past 60 mph, running 5100 RPM wide open throttle, trimed up and vertical Jack plate trimed. Running 4 blade prop, do not know pitch. Hole shot is a little slow particularly if my live wells are full. What do I start looking for?Last edited by kirkpal1 on February 28th, 2015, 6:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Folks will need a little more info to help you out. Assuming it has a 200, is it the 3.1L big block or smaller block? Prop pitch (you will find it stamp right on the prop)? What prop is it (probably Trophy Plus)? Where is the jack plate adjusted to in relation to the plate attached directly to boat (even, half inch below or above even?) If that is a big block 3.1 like mine it should be turning 5400-5500 but there is a lot of ways to get there. Pictures are a wonderful thing. If you can take some pictures of the motor area and plates it may help us help you. BTW – Full live wells and fishing partner are going to slow your hole shot and top end. Thats normal. Also do trim to high. The Classic like all Bass Cats does not like a lot of trim. Good luck, look forward to more info and you will find lots of good advice here.
It wouldnt hurt to throw it on a dyno and make sure the engine is performing at max capability. I had a rebuilt powerhead that had a vacuum line not hooked up. Engine was running on 5 cylinders. Everything sounded fine it started up without issues seemed to run fine but was really sluggish out of the hole and top speed was 55 mph at 5100 RPM. Paying someone to run it on a dyno is worth every penny.
26″Trophy Plus. 3.1 Liter 200 HP OptiMax. Is this too much prop, seems like a lot of pitch. Jack plate is hydraulic, mounted even with transom. Any suggestions would help
I owned a 2008 Pantera Classic with a 200 Mercury Opti (3 L). Best speed was 75.4 at 5800 RPMs. Manual jack plate was level (inner/outer plate)
Somethings not right. That prop should work assuming its in good shape and you should be getting 5600-5700 rpms at least (red line is 5750). Ive run the 26P Trophy Plus and the Fury on my 07 Classic. Both put me over 70 turning over 5600 rpms (the Fury has much better hole shot). There is more speed on the top end if I was a better driver. The Trophy will want to run a higher on the jack plate. Dont trim very much. Make sure rooster tail is no higher then the cowling on your Merc. It may be worth having who every worked on your motor to check it. If that motor is running correctly you should be able to get to 65 easy even with little trim. Rest of the speed/rpms will come with trim. Where are you? There might be an experienced Bass Cat owner near you that could help with your set up assuming your motor is running correctly?
I am taking my prop to a shop tomorrow to have it checked. I am located in the Baton Rouge La area but only moved here recently. I could use some recomendations for a good motor shop or someone familier with Cats. My old shop was on Toledo Bend where I lived. I plan to fish there next weekend, maybe l can get him to look at it.
First let me say that Im not an expert. With your RPMs that low I dont think your jackplate is to high maybe not high enough. What I do to get my top speed is get my best speed then bump and I mean bump the jack plate up. If you see the speed increase then bump again. When I think I have it right I start bumping the trim usually down. I continue until I start losing speed then back to where my top speed was. There I bump the jackplate again up or down. If you go to high with the jackplate your engine RPMs will go up but your speeed will go down. There is a sweet spot and when you have it right you can expect some chime walk and you can either learn to drive it or trim down slightly to take it out. When ts chining its doing all its going to do. you might lose a mile or two on speed but be more comfortable trimed down a bump or two. If you ever get in a bad chine situation I dont advise jumping off the gas just trim down. Oh yeah just to be clear , every time I say trim I mean with your Tilt and Trim. I hope this helps and someone else will correct me if I miss spoke.Last edited by basscattcrazy on March 2nd, 2015, 12:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Get in touch with Doug McPhee at D and T Boatworks in Livingston, Louisiana which I believe is very close to you. Doug owns a BCB , works on them all of the time, frequents this board, and is really familiar with setting them up and always seems willing to help. Call him at 601 590 3109. He will get you set up.
Im in baton Rouge with the same set up except I have the efi not the opti Im running a 27p tempus plus and getting 75 fully loaded go talk to Ken at front to back boat service they are really good in baton rouge
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