Tracker Boats

[Easy]

Fellas,
Got a 1998 Tracker Targa 1900 w/ 1998 Merc 150 Optimax High Five 23 pitch prop. Running 5000-5200 RPM @ around 47-49 GPS by myself in the boat. Does this seem accurate to you guys as far as speed, RPM (that's my main concern), compared to what your running w/ yours. Also any speed tips or secrets for this setup?
Apreciate the help

[Easy]

>Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!
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[Bob]

I think that the motor should be running between 5200 and 5500 rpms at WOT so your prop pitch may be one size too big especially if you throw in a fat fishing buddy. Or maybe try bringing the motor up 1 or 2 holes? Anyone else?

[Been There Done That]

Run a 21 pitch high five, great hole shot and good control

Run a 21 tempest, ok hole shot, but higher rpms and mph, about 5 mph different.

spent a day running high five, trophy's, and tempest last year, these were by far the best props - I actually carry both. The tempest will barely get you up with three people, I would only use it for two guys. You might try a Mirage.

[Jim Carroll]

Your 23 pitch prop is too tall. Boats with 200's run 23's and if your RPM's are correct you are lugging the motor which is something you do not want to do. I used my prop calculator with these inputs: a 21 pitch screw, 1.87 gear ratio, 10% slip, and 5500 RPM's. Theoretical speed should be 52.6 MPH. Your slip with the current setup is 19% but I expect that will come down as the RPM's increase. You may not get it down to 10% but I would expect the boat to go about 50 MPH with a 150. Do you have a hydrofoil on the boat? A foil really helps the hole shot and the rough water handling of this boat. Good Luck, JC

[Box]

Have Alumcraft TP175 with Merc 150 efi. We usually have 2 or 3 fat guys and gear, and we use a Hi-5 21". We get GPS 46-49 depending, and it usually is about 5200-5250 rpm (from memory, maybe not exact). We get a little better with only one person, but haven't really paid much attention with one.

We raised motor to third hole and it seemed to help all around.

We tried several props and found the Hi-5 to be the slowest, but it doesn't really slow down much as we add people or weight. I even had coolers and 6 people and we still shot out of the hole and hit 42-44 mph GPS. I was amazed! It also handles way better than any other prop we tried, and great in rough water.

If we'd do it over, I might even try a 19" or 20" (if they make it) Hi-5. That was aobut the only prop we didn't try, the 19".

I agree you might have too high pitch for your boat and motor.

If you can, try a LaserII but make sure all the plugs ar in it. We tried one without plugs and it stunk up the lake! ha!

For any of you using Hi-5, have you found that your reverse thrust is MUCH weaker than a 3 bladed revers? I really notice I can't use a STRONG quick reverse to stop the boat dead when parking like I could with other props.

Good luck!

Box in MN

[Easy]

Thanks alot for the info. Looks like the 21 High Five is the best bet. Do you know what RPM"S and speed your getting w/ High Five and what kind of Hydrofoil are you using?

[JimStolpa]

I just bolted on a Cobra fin from Cabela's $100. It works great on my Targa 2000 with 225 Opti. I would agree with the above posts. When I first got the Targa Tracker had a 25p 4 blade trophy. It was a dog out of the hole. They swapped me for a 21 pitch high 5. It is really good, but still opted for a fin.

[Jim Carroll]

There are two choices in hydrofoils for high performance boats in my opinion. The Cobra Edge and the SE Sport 300. Either one will work very well. I use and really like the Cobra SS Edge on my Targa 2000. There is no loss of top-end speed ( the foil is out of the water at high speed and trim)and the benefits are improved hole shot, lower on-plane speeds, and improved handling in all water conditions. The Edge is an excellent addition to these boats. Good Luck...JC

[TLY]

Jim,
I have a TARGA 17 with 125 merc, but it is hardly broken in. I have the standard 23" aluminum and to get 5k rpm is a chore. I have to play the trim and am probably sucking more air than water to get any RPM. I also have not really run it wide out yet.
(I have only about 30 hours)

Any advice on pitch, blades, foils .....? It would all be appreciated. Am not in the speed freak category but everything I see and comparing it to my last merc I seem to come upshort on balancing the rig.

Thanks,
TLY

[Box]

My speed and rpms are listed above (approximate) but we don't use a hydrofoil of any kind. I'd recommend NOT trying one until you think you need one. The 21" (or 19", I'd definitely give the 19" a try before you buy, just so you know for sure) will shoot you out of hole like a rocket!

If you haven't tried yet, many dealers have the "blue prop" try before you buy program. You can usually try out up to three or maybe more different props on the same day. They are blue so that people aren't likely to steal them. Our dealer is great and lets us try them out anytime we want.

As far as any secrets, the best (and cheapest) is to balance your boat correctly from front to back. Too much weight in front will slow you down more than you'd think. Too much in back hurts the hole shot, obviously.

On our boat, we are out of the hole so fast that I pretty much start trimming up right away as we get going.

This board is a great place for info, and I've learned alot from the people here! Good luck and have fun!

Box in MN

[Jim Carroll]

My recommendation for a foil was specific to the Targa 1900/Fisher FX DV-18 or a Targa 2000. A foil really improves the handling on these boats in all water conditions. I wouldn't run one of these boats without one. JC

[Jim Carroll]

Hi TLY- here is the link for the prop calculator.

http://www.rbbi.com/folders/prop/propcalc.htm

You will need 4 inputs to get a variable. (RPM,Gear Ratio, Pitch, Prop Slip, MPH) Take the inputs you know now and calculate your slip. Use the prop slip figure when you change your pitch, etc. If your Tach is correct (something you should check) it appears to me you have too much pitch. Is 5000 RPM's at WOT? I try to set my boat up so that it will redline the tach with just me in it and lightly loaded. Add a fishin buddy, gas, and gear and it will be about right. If you are always fishing with a couple of heavyweights and their coolers you might want to subtract more pitch. Good Luck JC

[Easy]

>Jim C or anybody: What hole do you have your motor at. I had mine in the third w/ 150 but didn't handle near as well as the second I thought. But not using a hydrofoil yet, any differnce.

Thanks Again

[easy]

>Run a 21 pitch high five,
>great hole shot and good
>control
>
>Run a 21 tempest, ok hole
>shot, but higher rpms and
>mph, about 5 mph different.
>
>
>spent a day running high five,
>trophy's, and tempest last year,
>these were by far the
>best props - I actually
>carry both. The tempest will
>barely get you up with
>three people, I would only
>use it for two guys.
>You might try a Mirage. What hole do you have your motor in??
>