Margay Mercury Pro XS 115 Set Up

[Cajunhunter67]

Seems to be to small of a wheel for the engine boat combo. OR That’s a lot of prop slippage.

I’m sue BCB will be along to offer an option on props. I am not familiar with Lazer props.

Don

[Bass Cat Boats]

We like the Spitfire in a 20” version and you may be able to run a 22”. We don’t recall the RPM limiter on the 115, though we do know the 20” will run around mid 40’s.

[Flatsnbay]

Thanks Bass Cat. I’ll see if I can try the Spitfire.

[Bass Cat Boats]

That indicates you may bee too high on the propeller also. We would drop the engine and back off the trim some (lower trim setting) before trying another propeller.

[Flatsnbay]

I’ve already tried lowering the motor and backing off of the trim.

[Wheelman]

Congrats on the new boat, do you have command thrust lower unit on yours? Local dealer with a Margay and CT gearing was able to swing a 24” Fury 3 and do 58mph in cool weather and light. If a Margay with a 150 is a 65mph boat, then I’d think a 115 would do atleast 50. The 115 Pro XS rev limiter is 6300, though even if you have the 2.33 gearing you’re over 30% slip at only 38mph. The laser prop is 13.5” in diameter, so it’s not little. I will say I did like the Spitfire prop on my old Triton with a smaller 4-stroke and they make an inexpensive aluminum version up to 23” you could try, hope that helps.

[CB_SabreFTD18]

I remember a Margay thread on the old chat board back in the day with a Merc 115 2 stroke.  1” below flush was his sweet spot, and he had a Laser prop (don’t recall the pitch).  I’ve seen (1) Margay in person, and he had a 2 stroke 115.  He looked like he was running every bit of mid 50’s.

FWIW, I had a cheapo brand boat in the 1990’s that was 17.5’ with 115 Fastrike. Dual 17 gallon rear tanks, and it was light as a canoe.  19 pitch 3 & 4 blade stainless “Michigan Wheel” props, and both ran low 50’s with 2 adults at about 5400 rpms.  Any weight upfront slowed me down, and I was so much of a speed freak that I only carried a fanny pack with tackle.  4” manual jackplate, and I was stylin’ like the young poor man I was.  I could only dream of a BassCat back then.

Set your plate 1” below flush to start.  My Sabre likes below flush on the plate too with the heavier MK trolling motor.  Much better choppy ride, and the prop stays hooked up.  Mine is actually .2-.3 mph faster 1/8” below flush compared to 1/8-1/4 above with a Tempest.  Every Cat I’ve driven with an analogue tach could only be trimmed to about 1/2 or less on the gauge at full throttle without losing speed and handling.  3/8 trim is usually flying in a light chop.  If your motor can turn that 22, you should be at least 50 solo without being overloaded in the front storages or with a “1 ton” trolling motor.  If it doesn’t, I’d prop down in pitch just like BCB recommends almost daily with their responses.  Trolling motors are getting heavier these days, and propping down will help as will lowering the jackplate.

[Flatsnbay]

I stopped by my Mercury dealer and he said that the Spitfire doesn’t come in a 20p. It comes in a 19 and 21. Which does Bass Cat recommend, the 21 for my setup?

 

[Flatsnbay]

Wheelman:

Congrats on the new boat, do you have command thrust lower unit on yours? Local dealer with a Margay and CT gearing was able to swing a 24” Fury 3 and do 58mph in cool weather and light. If a Margay with a 150 is a 65mph boat, then I’d think a 115 would do atleast 50. The 115 Pro XS rev limiter is 6300, though even if you have the 2.33 gearing you’re over 30% slip at only 38mph. The laser prop is 13.5” in diameter, so it’s not little. I will say I did like the Spitfire prop on my old Triton with a smaller 4-stroke and they make an inexpensive aluminum version up to 23” you could try, hope that helps.

My 115 Pro XS is a command thrust

[Rich12]

Since you have the 115 CT, I think you should try a 22 Tempest plus .  Better prob than the laser.  The CT will swing it easily.

[Wheelman]

Flatsnbay:

I stopped by my Mercury dealer and he said that the Spitfire doesn’t come in a 20p. It comes in a 19 and 21. Which does Bass Cat recommend, the 21 for my setup?

 

21” is the largest in the SS and it would allow you to do 50mph, it also has PVS holes whereas the aluminum version doesn’t. Though the 23” aluminum would allow 55mph with 7% slip, here’s the calculator if you want to play around with the numbers.

https://www.mercuryracing.com/prop-slip-calculator/

[Author]

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