Poor Hole Shot

I have the exact same rig. You need to have the prop shaft somewhere between 3 1/4 ” to 3 1/2″ below the bottom of the hull. Also I run a 23 Tempest plus at 72 to 74 GPS at 5600 with 2 people & tourney load with both tanks at 3/4 full. I have seen 77/78 by myself at 5700. I have the biggest pvs plugs in the prop and have a very good holeshot. My boat was rigged at the factory and came with the 23 Tempest Plus. Johnny

98 and 99 Optimax engines were not notorious on lower end torque, the 2000 series was improved through the exhaust plate and tuner. Most of the late 90s we ran anything small to a High Five on. We think a 24 Fury would be a good start today. The 23 Tempest would have been a small propeller by todays standards, though all that would pull the 225 Opti out well in those days. This was before E-Tec and HPDI in these larger block engines. The process of learning was first notched by Mercury and thus the lesser torque on this older engine. They do however, get great fuel mileage. BCB

It could be not enough throttle along with the propeller, though we think you have too much wheel for this application at 1800 feet. A 23 or 24 Trophy would be our suggestion. And you will have to adjust the PVS plugs at varying heights if you go elsewhere to max out performance. Though if you stay at one height it should be fine. If you are above 2000 feet, then we would go 23 Trophy.

Thanks for the great info, guys. I checked my prop and found that two of the four ports (holes) are plugged. I guess that means two have been removed. How do I remove the remaining plugs? Do they unscrew? Do I pry them out? Do I remove the prop and push them out?