Setup on a classic

[showdawg77]

do you have plugs in the ventilation ports?? Does the prop “cavitate” any while coming out of the hole???? Showdawg

[Shap from La]

If you have the 2.5 liter 200 it will not be a rocket out of the hole with the 25. The small block just doesnt have the tourque of the 3.0 liter. 68 may be a little off for this time of year with the cooler temps. Fully loaded with 2 people and all gear I would expect 70-72 from your rig if it is the 2.5 liter. If its the 3.0 liter I would think closer to mid 70s is possible. I am guilty of posting some pretty high numbers with my classic (75 with 2 and 77 with one). But, those numbers arent always fully loaded and are normally under ideal conditions. Generally speaking my boat is a 72-73 mph boat with 2 bubbas and gear on Tournament morning, and, I tend to outrun just about every 200 powered boat out there. The 25 temptest is a good prop for your boat. It will do most everything well. I prefer the Trophy because of the overall better handling and hole shot and rough water control. If you have the PVS plugs in your prop then pull one at a time until you get the hole shot you want. Then you can tackle the top end by raising your engine until you get just a little tourque on the wheel and youll be very close. If you already have significant tourque on the wheel then lower it until the tourque is just about gone and you will be close. Through Bass Cats wisdom over the years I have learned that this is a better way to adjust height than some number to chase. It sets you up for more all around enjoyment from your rig rather than chasing an unrealistic top end speed. Good luck and give us a little more info on your current setup and we may be able to help some more. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

[fishnDean]

It has two plugs pulled out already. At have trim the wheel has alot of tourqe on it and the rooster tail is way to high. what is max rpms for this engine? Trying to get the best out of my rig for the most enjoyment.. Thanks guys, Ill check to engine height tonight and let chime back.

[texasangler]

I too have a 03 classic with a 2.5 200 mercury . Since I have had my boat I have tried everything to get past 67 on gps . I have a 25 tempest plus with 2 plugs out . At 67 I am running 6100 rpms . I have not tried a 26 trophy yet but that is my next try . I put a detwiler jack plate on thinking I could dial it in and that was no help . I run pretty light and most of the time by myself . Most of the time when I post something about my boat the advice I get is that it might just be as good as it will get . I am like you I see everyone talking mid to low 70s and it aint happening for me . Love my boat and everything about it but just want it to be as good as it can be . Hope someone out there can say , oh yeah here is what you need to do . Anyway good luck with yours .

[Basscatman]

Based on your posted numbers of 6100 rpm and 67 mph, you prop slip looks really high (18%+). With a normal prop slip range of 10-12%, you should be hitting 72+ mph. I also run a 2003 classic and a 2000 Merc Opti 200. I run a 24 Trophy and average 70-71.5 mph loaded. My prop slip is in the 9% range- plus I run my engine a little lower to improve holeshot and bow lift. I am at around 3.4 in below the pad. However, I have had my prop worked a little to increase cup and the efficiency improved for me. I am wondering if you have your motor a little high as this can hurt your prop efficiency and also hurt holeshot. If those rpms are true- then your prop is really slipping. You just may have a bum prop- no two are the same. Or your motor just may be a little low on power as they also are not all the same. My 2000 Opti is definitely not as strong as the new ones. Good Luck

[Shap from La]

If you have exhausted all engine height options then its definately worth it to send your prop to a good shop. Give them very specific details on how your boat is running now, your setup, and what you want from your boat. You may be very surprised with the results. FishinDean, You definately have to lower your engine from what you are describing. Lower it until the tourque is just about gone at top end and your rooster will be lower and your boat will be faster, and definately handle better. Texasangler, you have a hydraulic plate so it should be easier but it sounds like you have played with all of that. As said above, Try a good Prop Shop. And Fellas, You probably dont want to hear this, but, as Basscatman said above, It is quite possible that you got a hold of a weak 200. From talking with people in the Know, In 2001 they were making them fairly strong and in 2002 on they toned them down a little. Maybe it was because of the phase out of the 2.5 to the 3.0 liter and thats where they wanted people to go. But if you have a weak 200 and Ive got one that is a little on the strong side then that could account for a couple MPH. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

[LA Elwood]

I would bet money that both of you guys could put a Trophy on and cure most of your problems with a little adjustment on the jackplate. I have a friend that is running a 3.0 and is having the same problem. He is going to run my 23 pitch first just to see if it performs any better that the 26 Tempest he is running now. Not looking for top end out of the 23 Trophy just looking to cut out the rooster tail and overall poor handling unless the jack plate is way to low. He then plans to purchase a 25-26 Trophy if everything starts to fall into place. I am going to try the same 23 Trophy on my Sabre. ElwoodElwood…..Bass Cat Proud

[gcopple2000]

my boat is doing something similar. 2000 merc 200 on it, carberated v6. it cavitates really bad out of the hole, but once it get it up it runs awesome but has lost some of the top end. the mechanic says everything is good in the motor, is this a jackplate issue? this is a new problem and i have had my boat for about three years, never had anything like this before. george

[showdawg77]

I put a trophy plus 25p on mine once, the initial surge was good but the prop just kept blowing out , I had to lift the throttle for it to get a bite. killed my holeshot, I put a tempest plus on there with one plug removed, holeshot was awesome. top end speeds were near identical. 72-74

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