My 2001 Suburban Z-71 is 18 1/2″ high with a 2″ drop, so definitely the new Tahoe is higher. I think it’s more where the hitch is actually mounted rather than the bumper itself. Mine is mounted below the bumper while the new Tahoe and Suburban have an “in-bumper” mount.
Besides the connections. Take the fuse out and clean the connections there as well. If the fuse looks corroded, replace it. This is a common result of a fuse issue with the Lowrance units.
Just a thought, but you might rather get the Swivl-Eze Lock N Stow motor storage device that they make for Mercury and now Yamaha motors. If you have an Evinrude, then what youre currently looking for is the way to go. The Swivl-Eze will keep the motor straight while keeping it up for transportation, killing two birds with one stone and keeping your lower unit from getting scuffed. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store … 00_200-2-7
Performance to performance – straight out of Bass and Walleye Boats Magazine with 200 Opti, 200 E-Tec HO, 200 HPDI all on identically weighted Pantera Classics 1. Top Speed 75.2 mph – 200 HPDI (with 27″ Trophy and allowed to run above the 2005 recommended 5500 rpms, no longer applies to 2006 motors and beyond, 73.9 mph restricted to 5500 rpms) 74.5 mph – 200 E-Tec (with 28″ Raker II) 74 mph – 200 E-Tec (with 27″ Trophy) 73.9 mph – 200 Opti (with 27″ Trophy) 2. Acceleration I (0 – 30 mph) 6.74 sec – 200 HPDI (27″ Trophy) 7.49 sec – 200 Opti (27″ Trophy) 8.24 sec – 200 E-Tec (28″ Raker, no runs with the 27″ Trophy were recorded but certainly would have been better) 3. Acceleration II (40 – 60 mph) 6.8 sec – 200 Opti (27″ Trophy) 7.4 sec – 200 HPDI (27″ Trophy) 7.6 sec – 200 E-Tec (28″ Raker, no runs with the 27″ Trophy were recorded but most likely would have been better) 4. Fuel Economy (average mpg) 4.5 mpg – 200 Opti (27″ Trophy) 4.1 mpg – 200 HPDI & 200 E-Tec (both 27″ Trophy) 3.7 mpg – 200 E-Tec (28″ Raker) So, theres your performance numbers. Honesty, pretty close for all of them. However, there were other issues noted like the improved handling characteristics of the HPDI and E-Tec due to harder engine mounts over the standard Opti. As far as Im concerned, I think theyre all very close, and each has its strong points. Its too bad the E-Tec wasnt fully tested with the 27″ Trophy prop as that would have made the comparison as similar as possible. It seems it and the HPDI are torquier and have a little better power overall while the Opti spools up better (i.e. lighter flywheel and other reciprocating parts). With the combination of lower reciprocating weight and overall power, it is more fuel efficient. If they ever did make a 200 Opti Pro XS, I would think they would work on increasing overall power (not peak power, which is already maxed out at some particular rpm) while probably putting stiffer engine mounts and the Torque Master on the lower end, but from the sound of it, it doesnt seem that they are looking at that. Whichever way you go, make sure your mechanic you plan on servcing your rig is gung ho about your motor choice. That has a lot to do with it.
BCB, The capacity is more, but what is the length difference? It would be nice if the new design incorporated extra length for the larger fish, so they dont have to distort sideways.
Out of curiosity, does anyone know when Mercury plans to have a 4-blade version utilizing the new material, i.e. a Trophy replacement?
Check to see if youre fuel line is leaking or not flowing freely.
Yes, you should hear a tick, tick, tick when the unit is on.
Phil, I wouldnt be so quick to judge the Gambler ride. Those that havent been in one assume a fast, but rough ride. That is not the case at all, quite the opposite actually. Sitting on the floor actually becomes quite comforting if you dont have medical issues getting in and out of the seat. It feels safe and secure. One of the best seating arrangements for high performance driving. If youre idling in stumps, you are defintely kind of blind in the Gambler, but in any other case, the trim tabs keep the front down during the hole shot. Another huge advantage of the Gambler console design that most dont notice is that the windshields are never in the way during a sidearm cast. Its like fishing from a boat without any consoles at all. Now, to the point. The Gambler fishes “front up”. With only one person fishing, it flattens out fairly well. With two aboard, it goes nose high again. It makes the platform less desireable, but is designed that way to extract more speed from the hull. It is also quite a bit thinner than the Puma FTD at the bow. However, the 2200 has the quick access rod boxes and an insanely long front deck. Ive never fished from a 2200. Some love those boxes (I think I would but dont know for sure), and some hate them. They eliminate the need for the whole slew of rods laid out on the front deck. The rest of the layout is really thought out quite well. It wont have the volume of storage that the Puma FTD will have, but its well done. As for handling rough water, theyre both high performance bass boats with a 20″ transom design. Definitely in the same category. What one can handle, the other can as well. As for the quality of the ride in those conditions, that will be debatable, but like I said, dont count out the Gambler too soon. Mike, If youre wanting the best riding BassCat, then wait for the release of the new Jaguar. It will be a full 12″ longer than the Puma FTD. Apparently, it looks to be quite a bit wider as well, which surprised me. However, that may have been a little bit of an illusion from the mold picture. I would bet that it will be awesome, especially with a 300 on it.Last edited by markdille on July 3rd, 2009, 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
It sounds like hes talking about a new boat, not an engine upgrade. Without knowing for sure, I would think the lower unit is better, the hub is tougher, and most importantly, the engine mounts are stiffer for high speed handling. I would if I were buying new.
As Sherm said, a very big difference between a skid planer and a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil attaches to the motors anti-ventitation plate. Skid planers attach to the back of the boat in various methods depending on rigging. Im designing one for my cousins 99 Gambler that has all kinds of trouble getting out of the hole with two people aboard. He has a factory installed Detwiler (which I do not like how the rear ram actuates) with 4″ set back. Water aggressively scoops up and into the ram section of the hydraulic plate on take off. The 4″ set back just makes the volume of water even worse. He actually has water going over his motor cowling on take off, and the nose shoots to the moon. The problem with the Detwilers is that the design is tricky due to the moving parts where the skid plate needs to be. The plates designed, but we havent made it yet. Im confident it will solve all his problems. He currently can only turn a 24″ Fury or 25″ Tempest out of the hole with two people IF the passenger walks up front. A 25″ Fury wont come up at all. This is with a 225 EFI on a 2100 Intimidator (no trim plates).
If you have porosity in your casting, Id defintely get an opinion from a Merc dealer, hopefully yours. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Ive seen Merc do this to individuals. Most of the time, they are correct, so Im not knocking them. However, when the complaint comes from one of their reputable dealers with no vested interest in the problem and an objective viewpoint, they will listen. You still might be incorrect, but if it is truly a casting issue, the dealer should easily be able to help you.
Another option is to get solid plugs for the vent holes and leave the weed ring out. Some do this as well. It just depends on set up.
If youre running a little flat (the Fury should run flatter than the Trophy, however), you may want to try lowering the motor 1/4″ and see what happens to your speed and rpms. You may increase speed and drop rpms some. That would be ideal. Honestly though, youre pretty much right on where youre at now.
BCB, the 200 Pro doesnt have harder mounts for performance boats?
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