BassBoat Performance

[Tpayneful]

I have a 2009 294XL Evo which has a 200HO Etec, my jackplate is set for my prop to be 2.75" below pad and it has a 3 blade 27 pitch tempest plus prop.  That is the best prop for my rig.  The boat will run 75 -78mph.

You might want to try that prop over the 26 pitch raker.  I have been driving boats for 20 years and was not prepared for how fast this boat goes.  I have gotten to 70 MPH but need a ton of seat time to figure out how to drive it properly.

[Catt]

Another advantage of having horse power in reserve is rough water

You will not find any better advice than what is already posted

Only 4 suggestion

1. Hydraulic steering

2. Hot Foot

3. Seat time

4. Heed the advice given

[Way2slow]

Now, don't go expecting 70+ mph from your 295, even with 225 carbs and a perfect setup, unless you throw everything in it out but a small amount of gas and a cranking battery.   The New hulls are a little faster than the older hulls and those are probably speedo readings on the 294, GPS will probably top it out at about 70.  A 27" Tempest @ 5,800 rpm (just guessing on that since that about the max to turn that motor) and 10% slip (which is about as good as you can get on bass boats and is usually closer to 13%) is only 71 mph

As mentioned though, even if you get another 5mph from it, you're going to be in for a shock.  67 - 68 is about the speed the boat is going to be getting up completely on the pad and off the outer strakes. When that happens you learn the true definition of "chine walk".   The outer strakes have little turned down hooks to improve hole shot and keep the boat nice and stable at WOT.  When there's enough lift for it to come off those, you have a whole different kind of boat to learn to drive.   

You also learn a whole new meaning to boat setup.  If you have steering cables, they can't have any play in them, the helm (steering wheel) can't have any play in it.  Motor mounts have to be nice a firm, no soft mounts etc.  Anything that will let that motor wiggle on it's on without input from the steering wheel can make it totally undriveable.   You may even get to learn what a skegg trim tab is.   

70 mph bass boats are nothing like driving your standard lake cruiser.

[Tin]

All this talk about Tempest props...anyone every try the Fury? 

That thing is super light.

[Nitro 882]

Thanks for the advice ill defenitly have to look into doing that I would like to hit the 70mph mark right now my motor with the 4 blade will on hit 65 gps at 5700 top so im thinking i need to start with the new prop (have to start small so wife doesnt kill me)

Don't worry about your wife killin' ya---70mph should take care of that.

[done]

Thanks for the advice ill defenitly have to look into doing that I would like to hit the 70mph mark right now my motor with the 4 blade will on hit 65 gps at 5700 top so im thinking i need to start with the new prop (have to start small so wife doesnt kill me)

Don't worry about your wife killin' ya---70mph should take care of that.

The other thing I think of is that YouTube vid that has made the rounds on here a couple times with the dude going WAY to fast for conditions and the boat her had. Crosses a wake poorly and spins the boat. I think they tried to use it as an example of why to wear you vest and kill switch. To me it was an example of know what the hell you are doing before you go tearing across the water.

I reckon it is like anything else, you need to learn before you go too far.

[Tpayneful]

A Stratos 294XL or XL EVO with 200HO Etec, Jackplate set with prop to pad 2.75" with a 27 Tempest Plus does 76 - 78 GPS.  C & O Marine it TN sets them up in this configuration and the boat will go that fast.  The only problem is having enough seat time to learn how to stop the chine walk.

[Nitro 882]

A Stratos 294XL or XL EVO with 200HO Etec, Jackplate set with prop to pad 2.75" with a 27 Tempest Plus does 76 - 78 GPS. C & O Marine it TN sets them up in this configuration and the boat will go that fast. The only problem is having enough seat time to learn how to stop the chine walk.

They tend to stop chine walkin' when they're upside down.