Need Help With Boat Set Up In Sofla

[sunkboat on big o]

I've had my phoenix 721 for going on 5 months now and just getting use to it now i want top end speed if possible. Been reading here some guys running mid to hi 70's I'm riding high 60's. I know she has alot more in her but am new to bass boats and would like to find out how to get it. Do any of you know anyone in south florida that is good with this, we seem to be very limited down here in this area. Also having major problems with my front humminbird unit. Any advice on where I can take it would be great.

[BassinLou]

PM Capt Shane. If I remember correctly he has in the past recommened two guys that work on boats.

[topwaterrob]

Fred, how loaded down are you in the back end? And by the way the day we saw you in Clewiston is looked like you were doing much better than 60's headed towards kreamer....

[evrgladesbasser]

Also depends on how you are calculating those speeds. For instance there is a 5mph difference from my speedometer vs my GPS speed. As far as going faster you could re-prop for more top end. A jack plate may also give you a few more mph. Load your boat differently so you can get the rear out of the water a little more maybe. To answer your question though I don't know who you would take it to, seems like some research on your part might answer your questions

[BP10]

why need all that speed to bass fish  mine goes 30ish maybe 40  mph im guessing and  i catch the same bass as the ones that go 70   

[sunkboat on big o]

Ive asked on these forums  and a prop guy here suggested a prop i should use and a buddy is getting me a hydraulic plate so hoping those two are the trick. Have been researching and talked to couple people i know that work on motors and no help. Like i said boat is close to empty.

I thought same thing bout speed but fished tourny with buddy and had long ride to some fish and we got there alot faster in his boat then i would have and flurry ended early so only reason would like top end if needed. Normally run slow and carefull

[GLADES]

The easiest way to get more speed is to remove all unneeded item from the boat. Every 200 lbs knocks 3 MPH from your top speed.

Water logged hulls are a speed killer. Keep you boat covered or garaged.

Stern weight - full tanks, 3 batteries, stuff, kill top speed.

Regarding props, IMHO..it is better to have excellent pick up on your hole shot in south Florida. Most swampy areas are very shallow 2-3' and you may only have a small area to get up to speed without getting bogged down in hydrilla. I traded my "speed" prop for a lower pitched "holeshot" prop. It just makes more sense.

If I were you, I would be happy with 65-70MPH. It is plenty fast enough. That additional speed increases the risk of accident too. And...There will ALWAYS be a faster boat out there...

[sunkboat on big o]

How did you choose your prop?

[GLADES]

You need to know the RPM range for your engine and you need a tachometer. Most bass boats have one installed.

 

Here is an example that might help explain..

 

Let's assume that your engine redline is 5500 RPM and your boat is turning 5200 RPM at WOT(wide open throttle) with a 23P prop.

 

Every inch of pitch is roughly equal to 300 RPM (or 3 MPH). So you would need a 22P prop of equal diameter to get your engine up to 5500 RPM.

 

More pitch = more top speed

 

Less pitch = better acceleration

 

Slipage = amount of speed lost from the theoretical top speed. You want to keep it under 12%. (hull condition, hull weight, etc)

 

You need to find a compromise of top speed/ acceleration. With my boat, I lean toward acceleration because of shallow water, and hydrila.

I have to watch the RPM though. My 150 Mercury is rated for 5800 RPM, but it will easily run 6200 rpm with a 4 blade 22P prop.

My 18' Ranger will run 65 MPH at 6200 RPM, but I usually just cruise at 45-50 for economy.  I do not recommend going over the rated RPM.

 

There are lots of articles and prop calculators / slipage calculators on the internet. Check out prop types and reviews as well.

 

Hope some of this helps.

[etommy28]

a different prop and a hydrolic jack plate. plus leveling out the weight in your boat.

[salmicropterus]

What Glades said is spot on. It all begins with the RPMs and you dial in performance characteristics from there. My company is a Mercury Demo Prop dealer. Let me know if we can help you out.

[gar-tracker]

How did you choose your prop?

 

Fred Iv been going through this for 6 months Iv tried 5 props and i think I was going the wrong way I need to go smaller rather then bigger. The only way is to keep testing them, that 27 pitch Yamaha prop is pushing my friends Big O into the 70s with a 250 Show. Thats fast for a Big O.

 

They should be able to tell you up at Toho Marine, my buddy's looking at the new Phoenix and test drove one Saturday, he said it was mid 70s before he backed it down.

 

Be warned most guys pinch up the speed limit when asked.

 

Also when fishing the Lake the ride is more important then the speed, 75% of the time you cant run full tilt anyway, so while you want the best output I wouldn't sweat 2 or 3 miles an hour.

 

I run with 5 battery's, extra bracing in the hull and transom along with a 3/4 inch deck by request, my boats a barge while in the Rim Ditch I joked with a guy in a Gambler this weekend with a racing Merc on the back, I told him Id race him out in the lake, he just smiled and said I'm not going out there.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Call the Prop Shop in fort lauderdale and call Shallow Water Customs for electronics. They should be able to help with the prop as well.

[gar-tracker]

Shallow Waters can help with the Hummingbird they wont be of much help for the prop., but Frank and Jimmy's may be of help.

 

And when in need of work go to RJ (Ron) in Ft Lauderdale, he's the best.

 

What engine do you have? I wanna say Yamaha but cant remember.

 

A friend of mine has been having trouble since the beginning with that Hummingbird.