[lfgray]

i might have used a term (plow through the water) which is not a true picture of what it is doing. Its more like it won’t release from the drag without trimming it way high.

Today i took approx. 40 pounds of tackle bags, clothing (diddy ) bag, fire extinguisher, the front seat etc. and moved it all to the cockpit area and the rear hatch.Basically the front hatches were empty(except net, livescope blk box and network box) .

I got up on plane and started bumping the trim up as i increased throttle. I felt it release a little  looked back and saw a rooster tail above the cowling(not a heavy tail,but still noticeable) rpm’s were around 4800-4900 and speed was  41/42 mph . I guess i should have gone wot but i didn’t. Not knowing the boat yet and after my last chine walk experience  i’m (lets just use the term Leary). So came home and measured the prop to pad and found it to be 3 1/4 “.  I’m thinking my next move might be to move the ptp to 3 3/4” grow a pair and see if i can get the rpm’s to 5960 without the rooster tail above the cowling.

Would that be a reasonable plan or does something else sound better.  Thanks for the input.

 

[lfgray]

As the ptp was 3 1/4″ and heeding the advise to move it slowly i moved it down 1/4″ making it(ptp) 3 1/2″. I thought that is where i would start to work this out.

Went to the lake this morning with wot in mind.  So it got up on plane just fine, and as i increased throttle i began bumping the trim up . I felt the hull release and watched the rpm and speed increase. At wot and 6000 rpm i could get about 58 mph before the chine walk started. The more i played around with it and begin learning to adjust for the chime walk , I eventually got to 6000rpm and 60.3 mph before the chine walk became to much for me at this time. As i learn the boat i should be able to get it right. Also there was no rooster tail when i looked back.

So as minor the ptp move was, it certainly helped.  At 5200-5500 rpm and trimmed to where the drag released and no chine walk, i could do 52+.

I think my next move would be to add some of the weight back and see what that does. Please let me know if there is something i should be doing different that well help.

Its interesting that bcb mentioned a 22″ fur prop. As a 22p is what my dealer had mentioned.  When keymaster said 22″ was he referring to a 22p or a 22 inch? or is that the same thing?

[lfgray]

So with all the information that is provided and knowing nothing about what prop is best for my situation, i have been thinking about a 22p tempest or the like. What am i going to gain by getting a 22p( say tempest )vs. the 24p 4 blade trophy i am currently using . I guess i am thinking about a 22p because people are saying it is working out for them, plus the dealer and bcb has tried it out with success.  What am i to gain, more speed with less rpm ? less chine walk? (I’ll go for that).  Not having to wot to get more?  better hole shot?  please note that i don’t carry a bunch of tackle,rods and reels , extra stuff that is not essential. Also  i don’t tournament fish and 98% of the time i fish alone  and the live wells are empty most times.    Thanks for the help

[lfgray]

Wheelman:

lfgray:

So with all the information that is provided and knowing nothing about what prop is best for my situation, i have been thinking about a 22p tempest or the like. What am i going to gain by getting a 22p( say tempest )vs. the 24p 4 blade trophy i am currently using . I guess i am thinking about a 22p because people are saying it is working out for them, plus the dealer and bcb has tried it out with success.  What am i to gain, more speed with less rpm ? less chine walk? (I’ll go for that).  Not having to wot to get more?  better hole shot?  please note that i don’t carry a bunch of tackle,rods and reels , extra stuff that is not essential. Also  i don’t tournament fish and 98% of the time i fish alone  and the live wells are empty most times.    Thanks for the help

• This reply was modified 1 hour, 33 minutes ago by lfgray.
• This reply was modified 1 hour, 31 minutes ago by lfgray.

Every set up is slightly different, fyi I run a Sabre FTD DC with standard 150hp 4-stroke Merc that has taller gearing and a lower rpm limit with a Motorguide up front. That being said I’ve run a 24” Tempest that originally came with the boat to 65mph, 24” Fury to 65.9, 24” Trophy to 65, 25” Tempest to 66 and 25” Fury to 66.6. I’ve ran 1/4” below flush to 1/2” above on the jackplate, don’t have low water pickups like the Pro XS so have to watch water psi more closely. You can vary the PVS plugs in all the props to fine tune holeshot and I run an exhaust ring on the Trophy. It has the most lift, but is the slowest. The Fury has the least lift, but is the fastest. The Tempest has good lift and speed, so would choose it as the best all around. Though going down 2 pitches I don’t think is a good idea if the 24” Trophy is running at max rpms when solo in good air. I look for a prop that just kisses the limiter in those conditions, that way it is still in the powerband when you have a partner and it’s warmer out otherwise you’ll want to step down a pitch for Summer when loaded with your back up prop.

This is good information and helping me and others learn   Thanks

[lfgray]

Bass Cat Boats:

We would suggest borrowing a 22” Fury and trying that. The Tempest is not our preferred propeller and there is a significant difference in how various styles work. If the 22” Fury works well, then we would buy a 22” FUR from PowerTech, as its features are a little more beneficial for the way your hull works, or so we have found.

This also is good information. I’m going to see who is running a 22″ fury to borrow, but that might be a narrow road.   Might have to purchase and hope for the best.   Thanks for your input

On 8/29 about 2pm pacific time i contacted powertech  the 22″ fur prop  ser# fur3r22pms275 is a three blade is this the prop we are talking about?

[lfgray]

Wheelman:

lfgray:

Wheelman:

lfgray:

So with all the information that is provided and knowing nothing about what prop is best for my situation, i have been thinking about a 22p tempest or the like. What am i going to gain by getting a 22p( say tempest )vs. the 24p 4 blade trophy i am currently using . I guess i am thinking about a 22p because people are saying it is working out for them, plus the dealer and bcb has tried it out with success.  What am i to gain, more speed with less rpm ? less chine walk? (I’ll go for that).  Not having to wot to get more?  better hole shot?  please note that i don’t carry a bunch of tackle,rods and reels , extra stuff that is not essential. Also  i don’t tournament fish and 98% of the time i fish alone  and the live wells are empty most times.    Thanks for the help

• This reply was modified 1 hour, 33 minutes ago by lfgray.
• This reply was modified 1 hour, 31 minutes ago by lfgray.

Every set up is slightly different, fyi I run a Sabre FTD DC with standard 150hp 4-stroke Merc that has taller gearing and a lower rpm limit with a Motorguide up front. That being said I’ve run a 24” Tempest that originally came with the boat to 65mph, 24” Fury to 65.9, 24” Trophy to 65, 25” Tempest to 66 and 25” Fury to 66.6. I’ve ran 1/4” below flush to 1/2” above on the jackplate, don’t have low water pickups like the Pro XS so have to watch water psi more closely. You can vary the PVS plugs in all the props to fine tune holeshot and I run an exhaust ring on the Trophy. It has the most lift, but is the slowest. The Fury has the least lift, but is the fastest. The Tempest has good lift and speed, so would choose it as the best all around. Though going down 2 pitches I don’t think is a good idea if the 24” Trophy is running at max rpms when solo in good air. I look for a prop that just kisses the limiter in those conditions, that way it is still in the powerband when you have a partner and it’s warmer out otherwise you’ll want to step down a pitch for Summer when loaded with your back up prop.

This is good information and helping me and others learn   Thanks

You’re welcome, one other thing I’ll mention as it’s different than most other outboards on a boat that’ll do this kind of speed which most don’t realize as they haven’t driven one is the 150 4-stroke Merc uses a single ram, so it trims very fast all the way through it’s range unlike traditional dual ram systems which have a trim and tilt range. This means you have to be very conscious of over trimming too quickly. Since you have low water pickups you probably aren’t having to watch water psi like I am, but when you get it to the point of getting on final pad you’re just flicking the switch as it changes so fast. Always trim down first before coming off the throttle if it’s chine walking and starts to get out of your control as otherwise it can hook on you, but one of the benefits of the fast trim is you can set the boat down very quickly if needed. The trim really is the throttle from 45-65mph in these smaller boats that need the aerodynamic help to air them out.

wheelman your information is invaluable to someone like me.  Your experience obviously has taken time to acquire.  After reading the answers provided by everyone i ask myself what am i looking for.  with my  current prop and ptp of 31/2″ the boat will get up from the hole quick enough, the boat no longer has a large rooster tail since i lowered the motor a 1/4″ and i can get the boat on pad and find the 6000 rpm. My problem is that to get there i have to get the trim where the chine walk is unmanageable. I  am not able to bump the steering wheel to keep the boat steady i have to bump the trim down to get the boat to settle down thereby i lose my speed of 59/60 mph.  I am not looking for a fast boat, but i do want to know that if i want to go 60+ i can do it.  I am happy with going 50mph but as of now it takes 5100/5200 rpm to achieve that. Maybe thats normal i dont have the expertise to know.  After reading all the information from you and bcb i am thinking my plan is to continue to play with the ptp, bumping the trim and see if i can learn. I have heard that lowering the ptp causes mph loss so not sure if i want to go down anymore.

One last thing, I don’t know what part of the country your in,But if i were your neighbor you  would probably want to move  Ha

[lfgray]

Wheelman:

lfgray:

Wheelman:

lfgray:

So with all the information that is provided and knowing nothing about what prop is best for my situation, i have been thinking about a 22p tempest or the like. What am i going to gain by getting a 22p( say tempest )vs. the 24p 4 blade trophy i am currently using . I guess i am thinking about a 22p because people are saying it is working out for them, plus the dealer and bcb has tried it out with success.  What am i to gain, more speed with less rpm ? less chine walk? (I’ll go for that).  Not having to wot to get more?  better hole shot?  please note that i don’t carry a bunch of tackle,rods and reels , extra stuff that is not essential. Also  i don’t tournament fish and 98% of the time i fish alone  and the live wells are empty most times.    Thanks for the help

• This reply was modified 1 hour, 33 minutes ago by lfgray.
• This reply was modified 1 hour, 31 minutes ago by lfgray.

Every set up is slightly different, fyi I run a Sabre FTD DC with standard 150hp 4-stroke Merc that has taller gearing and a lower rpm limit with a Motorguide up front. That being said I’ve run a 24” Tempest that originally came with the boat to 65mph, 24” Fury to 65.9, 24” Trophy to 65, 25” Tempest to 66 and 25” Fury to 66.6. I’ve ran 1/4” below flush to 1/2” above on the jackplate, don’t have low water pickups like the Pro XS so have to watch water psi more closely. You can vary the PVS plugs in all the props to fine tune holeshot and I run an exhaust ring on the Trophy. It has the most lift, but is the slowest. The Fury has the least lift, but is the fastest. The Tempest has good lift and speed, so would choose it as the best all around. Though going down 2 pitches I don’t think is a good idea if the 24” Trophy is running at max rpms when solo in good air. I look for a prop that just kisses the limiter in those conditions, that way it is still in the powerband when you have a partner and it’s warmer out otherwise you’ll want to step down a pitch for Summer when loaded with your back up prop.

This is good information and helping me and others learn   Thanks

You’re welcome, one other thing I’ll mention as it’s different than most other outboards on a boat that’ll do this kind of speed which most don’t realize as they haven’t driven one is the 150 4-stroke Merc uses a single ram, so it trims very fast all the way through it’s range unlike traditional dual ram systems which have a trim and tilt range. This means you have to be very conscious of over trimming too quickly. Since you have low water pickups you probably aren’t having to watch water psi like I am, but when you get it to the point of getting on final pad you’re just flicking the switch as it changes so fast. Always trim down first before coming off the throttle if it’s chine walking and starts to get out of your control as otherwise it can hook on you, but one of the benefits of the fast trim is you can set the boat down very quickly if needed. The trim really is the throttle from 45-65mph in these smaller boats that need the aerodynamic help to air them out.

The last few days i’ve been learning to drive the boat, something i thought i knew all about. its a whole new ballgame when you have a new boat instead of one that is all set up when you buy used.  As of today i can get to 58-59mph at 5900 rpm’s then the chine walk starts. I am currently just using the trim to stop the walk once it starts.  Soon i well try using the wheel in small steps to try and keep it from getting out of hand.  An article by  j todd  on bcb forums (chine  walk- learning to control it) is an excellent learning tool.

What i would like to try first is a  tempest maybe a 24p or 25p.  if that doesn’t work then i can try a 22p fury as bcb suggested. I’ve read that some are having good luck with the tempest 24p/25p prop.  The more i read the more confusing it gets.  One article says a 22p is better and another says a 24p/25p is better. Then you get into the whole 3 blade four blade thing .

perhaps i should just give my current prop and myself more time to see if i can get the speed up.

What i would like to do is get more speed with less rpm, I don’t like going wot and 6,000rpm even if mercury says its ok. I would like my speed to be 60+ and under 6,000 rpm If it chine walks i believe i can learn to control it with seat time.  I also believe i’ve got the height dialed in as well as the weight distributed as good as i can .  Is it possible to get more speed with less rpm? is that all in the correct prop?  thanks

[lfgray]

Thanks for the update.  In the tread I started(which prop on a 23 bobcat) you mentioned up were going to try a 21 tempest plus, did that ever happen? If so what was the result? Interesting that you are trying a scorpion 21p, there is a person out there that says its the way to go i believe i read that on the bbc basscat forum but can’t remember for sure. I would definitely like an update on the scorpion.  My bobcat is set up similar to yours (garmin force , weight to the back ect.) I’m having trouble with speed and rpm’s. Then when the chine walk kicks in,  well you know what i’m dealing with. When you say you can cruise all day at 58mph what are your rpm’s?

Sorry for all the questions but as you mentioned there’s not a lot of info. out there on the bobcat.

I’m now thinking about the recommendation from bcb of a 22p fur by power tech. They are 4 to 6 weeks out. To tell the truth i’ve changed my mind so many times i don’t know what direction to go. I wish the props weren’t so damn expensive so you could try different ones out, without breaking the bank. I look forward to your reply thanks.

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