2025 Pantera Classic RPMs Speed

[Jake Koester]

I really don’t think I’m over trimming,  the boat didn’t come with a trim gauge or a PSI gauze so I’m sol there.  What I do know when I come on plane I trim until I reach my max speed and RPMs at WOT. If I lose speed I trim back down.  There’s nothing I can do to get over 5000 rpm’s or 40-41 mph.  I normally drive my 2004 Ranger w 200hp 2stroke Evinrude so while this is my first bcb it isn’t my first bigger engine.

To me, I feel like the front isn’t getting enough lift.  I can rooster tail very easy at 3500 rpm’s and at any speed I’m pushing water away from the sides of the boats like I’m plowing.

I plan on changing props, is the tempest the best option?

I will probably lower then jack plate .25 inch at a time after the prop change, what RPMs should I see if it is setup correctly?

 

[schodackbassman]

I see you are still wrestling with this.  Have you tried adding weight (at least 100 lbs and 200 or more should help) as far back as possible in bilge or on deck?  This Classic like the last version seems sensitive to weight on the bow.  You have a lot of weight on the nose and with Lithium for 2 of the 3 batteries you’ve compounded the issue.  As I mentioned the other day, I helped a guy who had the exact same setup but only basic Helix (I think it was a 7) and an Ultrex 24V.  He had the exact same issue.  We put the butt seat/pole in rear position so he had something to hang on to and he sat at the post (200 plus pounds) while I as an experienced Cat driver drove and we had instant improvement.  Was it fast, hell no but we at least could get up into the low 50’s and on pad.  These Mercs aren’t even ProXS and in my opinion, for what it’s worth, shouldn’t be put on the newer Classic.  It’s a pretty big boat for a 150 if you are carrying much gear and have more than the basic electronics on the bow.  Then you take AGM or lead core batteries out of bilge and the boat is just out of balance.  Even with a 200 you may have had issues with the lack of weight at the stern and extra weight on the bow.  I hope you will try this before spending a lot of money on props etc.  If adding weight to the stern doesn’t help, you haven’t lost anything.  You also could try leaving the graphs off as part of the experiment to see if one, or the other, or both  make a difference.  If it does, you know you will be taking a big step towards at least identifying the problem and do so at no or little cost.  Lay 3-4 bags of cement on the back deck and see what happens.  I’m betting it helps.  Let us know how you make out.  Good luck.

Brian

[Wheelman]

The 4-strokes are heavier than the old 2-strokes in the 150hp range, but the new Classic has a wider front deck than the old Classic which doesn’t help in weight distribution. The 3.4L 150R would be a better fit imho as it has more torque than the 3.0L 150ProXS and the V6 has a little more weight than I4 for better distribution. A full tank of fuel (~180lbs) and full livewells (~220lbs) would be an additional 400lbs of weight in the rear, but weight slows a boat down and that’s not ideal when running on the lower end of the hp range. Was thinking you could trade your Fury for a Tempest, it’s what came on my Sabre FTD. I’ve never run a Fury 4 blade, but have heard good things about the Bravo XS 4-blade. I went with a Trophy only because I knew it worked on my dad’s old Classic with a 150hp, had to put a exhaust ring in with the 4-stroke. Here’s a video of mine with it and you can see it’s not plowing, hope that helps.

[Jake Koester]

I did get the motor dropped 1/2” and seen an improvement in speed 40- 43 mph, RPMs went from 5000-5400.

But I’m not getting any lift and my rooster tail is still very high.  I’m still plowing I feel like with a ton of water being pushed away from the sides of the boat. Will try the tempest 22p this weekend just came in.

[Wheelman]

Jake Koester:

I did get the motor dropped 1/2” and seen an improvement in speed 40- 43 mph, RPMs went from 5000-5400.

But I’m not getting any lift and my rooster tail is still very high.  I’m still plowing I feel like with a ton of water being pushed away from the sides of the boat. Will try the tempest 22p this weekend just came in.

Fury does like to run deeper generally speaking, but can’t wait to hear your results with the Tempest as you’re in the power band of the engine though have a ton of slip hence the big rooster tail. 5400rpm and 43mph is ~30%, should be less than 10. Here’s a calculator, hope that helps.

https://www.mercuryracing.com/propellers-overview/prop-slip-calculator.html

[Jake Koester]

I got the Tempest 22p on there today and it was simply unbelievable what the difference was.  5900-6000 RPM 56 mph in choppy water.  Pretty windy here today.  The boat got lift and it was a completely different smooth ride.

Thanks for the suggestions and help.

[Wheelman]

Jake Koester:

I got the Tempest 22p on there today and it was simply unbelievable what the difference was.  5900-6000 RPM 56 mph in choppy water.  Pretty windy here today.  The boat got lift and it was a completely different smooth ride.

Thanks for the suggestions and help.

I’m not a betting man, but I was 99% sure it was going work and glad to here it did! You’re welcome, I’ve also noticed a fuel efficiency difference in the props that naturally lift better as well as less hull is in the water and the engine isn’t working as hard.

[Jake Koester]

Thought on what power poles will do in my situation? Will it help the boat get more lift being in the very back or is it just more weight I don’t need?

loaded down full tank live wells full spare batteries and a co angler I lost a little lift and went down to 50mph.  Very rarely will I carry this much weight.

[Wheelman]

Jake Koester:

Thought on what power poles will do in my situation? Will it help the boat get more lift being in the very back or is it just more weight I don’t need?

loaded down full tank live wells full spare batteries and a co angler I lost a little lift and went down to 50mph.  Very rarely will I carry this much weight.

I don’t have any experience with power poles, so can’t say for sure though would think they’d help with moving the center of gravity rearward. But the power poles definitely create more aero drag and the extra weight causes more hydro drag which don’t help.

[Author]

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