still trying to get the set up right on my caracal!

This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 3 months ago by LA Elwood.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Author

Posts
February 20, 2012 at 9:44 pm #403609

chasescottwill
Participant

ok…after suggestion from my Merc dealer i have put on a new 24p Laser II SS prop. I previously had a 20p and i would over rev way too easy. I have a 1986 Caracal which has a 2007 Opti 115 on the back. Love the boat, love the motor…just want to get max performance out of it. With the 20p the boat would run about 45-47mph..but i had to be very careful not to over rev past the 5750 rpms. Couldnt even WOT. Now with the new 24p it is running about 50…but im still over reving a little if not careful. In addition, i notice that sometimes while up on plane the boat will seem to lose grip and pull the right for a second. I have a jackplate and its about midway up right now. Do i need to lower the motor? I dont expect the boat to run much faster but i want to be able to run WOT and have the motor trimmed up so its on pad and not “lose grip”. Thanks for any advice! -chase

February 20, 2012 at 9:56 pm #403612

ischnell
Participant

Drop the motor 1/4″ at a time it should help. 50MPH sounds pretty good for a 115. Had a Caracal for 15 years and witha 150 was quite the ride! Low seventys for me mid to high seventys for Rick. Very resposive and anything over 68 took a little skill. At about 54 the corners popped out of the water and it balanced on the keel, this has been the only boat I have driven where this was so pronounced. FUN FUN FUN boat.Irv

February 20, 2012 at 10:08 pm #403615

chasescottwill
Participant

Irv, thanks for the info! Yep..i have heard that boat with a 150 is crazy fun to drive! My fishing partner had what i have heard was the only “Caracal 2”. He said it would run everybit as fast as his 08 cougar he has now!

February 21, 2012 at 12:53 am #403618

1stinLA
Participant

It sounds like you have some experience, but I would still be careful of not over trimming the motor as those hulls seemed to run real well with almost no rooster tail. With the right setup those Caracals were fast, but a hand full above 65. I had a 85 model that could pass for your boats twin. I know I ran a 26 trophy on a 95 Suzuki Super Six 150 on mine and I do not know a true top speed (before I had a GPS) but 1 guy in our club had a handheld in his boat and he was doing 73 and I walked off and left him running back in with a full load. Enjoy!!

March 13, 2012 at 1:49 pm #403623

chasescottwill
Participant

Ok…I lowered the Jackplate about an inch and man did it make a difference! My boat was running about 47-48 but i was really having to watch the over rev limit before…now its running 55-56 and REALLY getting up on pad! I actually think it chine walked for the first time! They werent lying…once that boat gets around 54mph you really have to “drive” it!

March 13, 2012 at 6:06 pm #403625

LA Elwood
Participant

One other prop that you may want to try is a 22-23 pitch trophy….it was a heck of a prop on my last boat with a 115 Mercury. It would run circles around the Laser II and never break loose. I was close to 60 MPH with it on a 17 foot Pro Gator. ElwoodElwood…..Bass Cat Proud
Author

Posts

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login Register