98 Pantera III — slow

[Anonymous]

Hey all, just bought a 98 Pantera III with a 200 EFI Merc (2.5L). It came with a Tempest 25P and after reading all the threads that seems like it is way to much for this boat. All Ive read points to a 24 Fury or 23-24 Trophy. Heres my main issue – wouldnt you expect that with 3 big guys and gear the 25 Tempest would do better than 45mph?? I dont think my BP101 rpm gauge reads right either because it was showing 2000rpms at 45mph. Im going to take it out this weekend with just me in and see what it does and make sure to have a GPS with me also. Any advice on a prop for this setup would be helpful as well as clues to the slow speed. Plugs look great, idles great, I can get rpms up at idle, slow holeshot, and I plan on putting some Seafoam through it too.thanks!!

[conan1.basscatowners]

I have a 2001 PIII with the 2.5 EFI anemic motor also with a 25 trophy plus. Had issues with slow holeshot. I ended up putting a SE300 hydrofoil (whaletail) on it to get up on plane in about 5-7 secs. The tail isnt recommended by BassCat but with that motor, it was the cheapest fix for me to try and it works. Ive found out they made a 25 and a 3.0L in the 200HP but my 2.5 runs like a top but torque at low speed is just not there! With 2 225# people I can get approx 67-69 mph gps but with a full load of myself, daughter, grandson, and 2 friends, I could only get up to 47mph. The PIII is a heavy boat and made for big water, very dry and safe. Wish it was rated for 225 but that is an issue BassCat has already covered due to the length. Ed”Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional illogical minority, and rapidly promoted by an unscrupulous main- stream media which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.”

[High Cotton]

I ran into the same issues with a skeeter with a 2.5 liter 200 merc years ago. Before I sold it I put a 3.0 liter merc on it and performance was en times better.

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