2020 Caracal

[Cara20]

I’m new to the forum and new to Bass Cat boats. I just bought a 2020 Caracal with a 225 Mercury Pro XS four stroke. The setup is around 3″ P to P and a 24 pitch Fury 3 blade, It has two 26 gallon tanks and no poles. The boat does start walking a little in the upper 60’s. but I mainly need seat time for that. I have had it to 72 but the RPM’s on the mercury monitor are only showing 5550 at 70 plus mph. To me that doesnt even sound correct. That would only be 3% prop slip. I dont know any history on the boat so I dont know if the prop has been worked or what. The boat only has 49 hours on it and everything runs great just not getting the rpm’s. How accurate are the mercury smartcraft monitors. Would you think the prop is not actually a 24 now or RPM’s are off. I have had it to 70 a couple of times with 2 people, both tanks full and loaded fishing gear. It has more but right now I have to let out of it at that speed. Hole shot is okay but could be better.

Thanks for any information.

[Bass Cat Boats]

For some reason slip calculators do not efficiently convert on the newer Mercury 4 stroke engines. They always worked before, though not today on the 225, 250 and 300 Pro XS.  Your rig sound like it’s running very well.

 

BCB

[Cara20]

Should I worry about only getting 5550 max on the RPM’s. I believe it has a little more but I dont see it getting to the mercury reccommended 5600 to 6200 range.

 

Thanks,

[schodackbassman]

I also have a 2020 Caracal 225 Merc 24P 3 blade Fury and I added two 8′ PP Blades.  I was told by a Mercury regional manager that while analog boat manufacture installed tachs are notorious for being inaccurate the Smart Gauges are pretty much spot on.  I’ve never seen 6K RPM either but it’s more about the pilot (me) than boat/motor/prop.  That said I’ve read and I really want to try dropping to 23P three blade Fury because that will give you the RPM’s as well as improve hole shot not that mine is bad.  I find getting going a little bit above idle before powering up helps with hole shot.  I also don’t punch it the floor but control foot throttle by feel and sound to get the best hole shots.  By myself, I’m up on plane in a couple boat lengths, with a co, water in live wells, and mostly full gas it will take longer perhaps 3-4 boat lengths.  I have a manual jackplate with plates about even or a hair above.  Boats at camp or I’d go out and check.  I found a sweet spot few years ago and haven’t paid attention to it since.  I’m into my 4th season  with mine so if you have questions feel free to reach out.  Welcome to the family!

[Bass Cat Boats]

We like to see motors spin freely and hit close to the maximum RPM. The engines will tend to be under less pressure. A good rule of thumb is gaining 150 to 200 RPM for every inch you go down.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

[Cara20]

This past weekend  I was was at 73.8 mph @ just unde 5600 rpm’s. The boat was loaded with a full port side tank and around 3/4 full on the starboard side. No water in the live wells but loaded with tackle. I just removed the lead acid and installed lithium batteries. I have not ran it yet since doing that but what prop would you recommend? I’ve raise the jackplate a little and the boat is handling good with good hole shot. I’m happy with the speed but if I want to get closer to max rpm’s I’ll have to drop in pitch. I did run a friend’s 24 pitch tempest a couple of days ago and top end was about the same along with rpm’s but hole shot was not good at all.

[Bass Cat Boats]

You should lower jackplates when weight is reduced for most setups.

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