Thanks T- Mac !

[pwrfshn]

T-Mac,

Just wanted to say thanks in public.

The advice you gave me on raising my motor almost all the way (can probably go the next hole) was great. The boat steers better, turns just as well, and gave me the same performance (from what I can tell).

The biggest difference I noticed was the improvement in steering and control.

At 2900 feet this last weekend the 4 Blade Trophy/DAH Prop was getting about 45 with a normal and heavy load and I could not trim out all the way or I would be over 5800 RPM. The heavy load (3/4 tank of gas, full rear livewell, 4 big boys (800 pounds) in the back, full tackle) had a really hard time getting on plane with that setup. I thought the hub ring may have helped if I put it on, but didn't try it.

I am thinking I want to go to a bigger 3 blade for lower elevation and was wondering if going to a 21 is too much?

Setup now: 175 Opti, one hole from the top, 1800 Pro V IFS, 17P Trophy/DAH, no ring on the hub, 45 GPS at 2900 - 3800 elevation, 56-5800 RPM.

Thanks in advance,

[T-Mac]

gee...blush... thanks.
We'd probably run a 19 Mirage on that rig here at 3800 ft.... and that doesn't seem to over-rev when the guys get downstream to Dakotas, the Columbia, etc.
I ran a 21 Pro-Series on my 1800 IFS (last year) w/ 175 HPDI, kicker, etc.
(Ran around 5400 and 50mph).

[pwrfshn]

T-mac,

I am going to go with my original plan and have DAH re-work the Stiletto which is a 19P 3 blade. It will be a $235 experiment and if it works great and if not, I'll see what I can find a Mirage for maybe.

I'm hesitant to buy any Merc prop off the shelf and would probably try a Power Tech prop before buying another Merc prop at full retail.

Do you know what the ring should do if I install it? Should it give me better or worse hole shot?

Thanks again,

[Tom PP]

MexicoNM, If you have a DAH Trophy, I would think you could easly go to the top bolt hole. I run on the top bolt hole on my Yar-Craft /DAH Trophy. I get down to 9 psi on very hard turns on the old water gauge. I am running at 15-18 psi if I am not turning like Grand Prix cars on the water. I would love to try going up one more but there is none. And of course, a jackplate on a Yar-Craft for long term use is out of the question in my opinion. I have very little if any steering tourqe, I have a Land & Sea tourqe tab on my skag that I had to cut a little off of to get it balanced just right. Did you see a lot of difference in perfromance when you got your prop back from John? How did it perform better?

[pwrfshn]

Tom,

The difference in the prop from before DAH to after was a paper weight to a prop. The Trophy Prop stock from Mercury was terrible.

After John got done finishing the prop it was awesome.

Hole shot that will put you back in your seat, turn on a dime, full trim with no loss of control, etc...

Don't have a lot of experience with props, but I have run a 21P Laser II, Stiletto 19P, Trophy 17P, and DAH Trophy 17. I'm very motivated to make my boat perform at its peak at multiple elevations. John was very explanatory in what is required to make my boat work in many different places. I'll fish anywhere from sea level to 7,000 feet with my boat, no one prop will accomodate that and still keep your motor running at correct RPMs.

I've decided I'll end up with a 17, 19, and maybe a 21 at some point.

FJH also runs a DAH prop and I think he likes it.

Thanks,

[FJH1]

Yup, love the DAH prop. John does an awesome job. Brian, the other day I made a rough measurement of my cavitation plate in relationship to the bottom of my hull. What I did was run at WOT, trimmed out the engine fully and then started lifting the jackplate until I hit the "sweet spot" and maintained decent water pressure (for me that is 14 to 15psi). This is how I always run. I left the motor in that position when I got off the water and made a rough measurement with a straight edge against the bottom of the hull. The cavitation plate was roughly 5 inches above the bottom of my hull. If I make a super hard turn or get into rough water I will momentarily lose some water pressure, but it takes a pretty hard turn :). That problem could be eliminated if I plugged the top two or three intake holes, but for now (under warranty) I leave it stock. You might want to think about getting a water pressure gauge (maybe you already have one) and a slim manual jack plate. Then you could experiment and find the sweet spot for the different props at different elevations. Find the sweet spot and draw a line on the lift with the corresponding prop pitch. You could easily wrench the lift to adjust the engine for best performance with the different props when you get to the different lakes. I say a "slim manual lift" because you might be able to put this on without any modifications to shift or steering cables. Just my thoughts.

Best Regards,

FJH

[pwrfshn]

I keep telling myeslef I need to avoid the jack plate and be happy with the performance of a raised motor and better props.

We'll see how long that lasts. LOL

Don't have a water guage yet, but it is on the list.

Thanks,

[JohnF]

Hey Brian,

I am currently running the PowerTech TRO4 nad had a chance to try with and without the ring. The ring will not improve top end. It did give me better holeshot (by a little) and allowed me to stay on plane at lower RPM (and therefore speed). So, the ring improves the midrange for me.

(I too would experiment with raising the motor. I've considered the slim manual as FJH1 suggests but have resisted so far...)

John

[pwrfshn]

I'll put the ring on this week for a test on Thursday.

Thanks for letting me know the ring helps hole shot and not hurts it. I was concerned and that is why I hadn't changed anything. Raising the motor made everything better. I'll probably go the last hole at some point.

You going to Gelndo this year??

Regards,

[JohnF]

I'll be there this weekend.

I know, you are asking about the Great Walleye Central Western Get-together. I'm planning on it.

John

[moreyes]

Mexico/NM, I have a 5" manuel jackplate that I have been experimenting with a manuel 5" jackplate on my Lund Mr Pike, with 115 F115 Yamy. I have a Power Tech 18" with some tuning done by Keystone Propeller, I tried it with and with out. With the plate and playing with engine hieghts I just could not find a sweet spot to high and it blow easily and could trim over 3/4, rpms at 5400-5500 and speed 43+- 1mph. Without Jacplate 2nd hole, better acccelertion(sp?) and could trim it as high as it would go, and go into turns without slipping. Speeds was 44 to 45 mph and rpm was 5400 to 5500 rpms, I bumped the motor to 3rd hole and will try it. So maybe with a higher hp engine a jacplate may help more? Just thought I would pass this on. So I have Bobs manuel Jackplate for sale if you want to try it?

moreyes

[FJH1]

Moreyes,

You might have your prop guy add some more tip cupping to the prop. I had the same issue. Initially I tested a number of props from my prop guy (DAH) and some would blow out very easily. John from DAH recommended a Trophy with additional tip cupping. He ordered the prop and modified it and it's awesome. It will not blow out. The last time I was out I made a measurement and my cavitation plate was 5" above the bottom of my hull and the engine was fully trimmed out - it will not blow out, even on hard turns.

Best Regards,

FJH

[moreyes]

Thanks FJHI, the prop I am currently running is 18" TRO4 Powertech. I have been dealing with Steve at Keystone Prop. and he seams to know his stuff. I think you you have to be maxed at on hp in oerder to take advantage of the benifit of a jackplate? I sent the prop back to him once after I initially tried it and he did some tuning on it. If I crunch the prop slip numbers I only have 2%-4% slip, 5400-5500 rpm, and 44-45 mph w/o the plate, pretty hard to improve those numbers. I keep wondering if my tach is off calibration? Have you ever had a tach checked? I have had it done snowmobiles but know one in the Mpls area can do my boat.

Good luck, moreyes

[Capable_Partner]

Can anyone reccommend a good prop guy in the Twin Cities? I put a few scars on mine recently at East Rush Lake ( be careful there! ).