Need Help! My P3 Takes Forever To Get On Plane!!

[CajunCatIII]

Hello all… Im a new Bass Cat owner and this is my second time Ive posted on the BCB board. I recently bought a 2000 Pantera III and Im really pleased with the boat except for its ability to get on plane quickly or at slower speeds. The boat has a 200 hp Evinrude Ficht which runs like a dream. Im not that knowledgeable about the boat since Ive only had it for a couple of weeks, but Ill share what I can. The boat has a 6″ manual jackplate and the motor currently has mounted a 3-blade Raker prop, 14.5 x 24. Ive yet to open the boat up myself, but as I recall, the previous owner said the boat runs somewhere around 70 mph at 5600-5700 rpm (I could be mis-stating this however). I also have a spare prop, a 4-blade Renegade 13.5 x 25, but I havent tried it on the boat. My problem is that the boat is very stern heavy and seems to take forever to get on plane when starting out of the hole or at slower speeds. I know this isnt necessarily an unusual problem, but Id be interested in hearing any suggestions for solving this problem. Also, Im not familiar with jackplates, so any suggestions on how I should adjust the motor to help would be appreciated as well. Other than the hole shot, I have fallen in love with this boat and will be a member of the BCB family for a long, long time! Thanks everyone!!

[Bass Cat Boats]

The Raker is not a wheel for this rig. We would suggest a 25 Shooter, or a 23 Renegade. The Renegade might be a little small, and some run a 25″ Renegade. BCB

[fishn4bass]

Cajun,I have the same rig,same year with a 200 Optimax,I had been playing around with two different props both 25p.one four blade one three blade,both of which are Mercury props .I was experiencing a slow holeshot when I first bought the boat and it had the 4blade trophy on it,I switched to the 3blade Tempest prop and the holeshot problem was no longer an issue.I really perfer the 4 blade over the 3blade,its just a more neutral feel for the way the boat performs,bowlift is great and the steering torque is minimal.I posted something similar to yours about two months ago.BCB recommended a 24p tempest for this rig,I know that you have an Evinrude so Im not sure if the pitch would be any different,I guess alot also has to do with your setup.Have you ever measured you engine height off pad?Im running mine 31/4″below pad with a 6″jackplate.I think most guys with this rig are running a similar setup.The one other thing with the merc props is that you can tune the venting by changing the size or removing the PVS plugs.Mostly you will just have to experiment and find what works best for you.I might try that 25p 4 blade renagade that you have it should be alot better than the Raker,and then go from there. Good Luck!

[dlh711]

I had an 02 PIII/200 EFI Merc with the same issue. The solution is going to be in finding the right prop and engine height combination. On mine, the 24″ prop that had a good hole shot hit the rev limiter and the 25″ prop that produced the correct rpm @WOT would barely come out of the hole with a heavy load. They ran 68 & 71 mph, respectively. I would use BCBs prop reccomendations as a starting point and experiment. Other options would be to install wedge shaped spacers between the jackplate and the motor to allow it to trim in further; and/or an after market larger cavitation plate. Good Luck!

[CajunCatIII]

Thanks for the replies! I will start by trying the 25p 4 blade Renegade and will lower the motor a bit on the jackplate. I measured today, and while I might have done it inaccurately, it appeared the motor is sitting 4 1/4″ on my jackplate. Since that is a 1″ difference over what fishn4bass said others run, lowering the motor might help. I just dont know if 1″ will make a big difference. My primary interest is getting on plane quickly with somewhat of a load in the boat. Unlike many of the guys who post, Im not looking for top end speed and will not likely push the boat much beyond 50-55 mph. If the Renegade and adjusting motor height doesnt seem to help, then Ill try experimenting with other props like the 25p Shooter. Does anyone have any experience adjusting a Power Lift manual jackplate on the water? Is it difficult to do? Any other suggestions for improving hole shot are appreciated! Thanks!

[fishmagnet]

Good post / question Cajun! I posted a similar question regarding prop options for my P-III in the PROPS section, on BCB, and a few other related boat/motor forums. Received feedback across the board such as: “Try a Yamaha 25 T1” “A Bravo 1 solved all my problems” “Go with either a 24 Tempest Plus or Trophy” “You MUST go to a 4-blade” yada, yada, yada……………. From what I gather from all these experts, we just need to experiment with the suggested options as all our boats / motors are rigged a little differently, thus no wrong or right answer. My challenge is finding a place that has these prop options available AND will let me “take em for a spin”

[DPT2005]

To answer your question about motor height: YES, dropping your motor 1″ will make a big difference. Most people suggest dropping your motor 1/4″ to 1/2″ at a time until you get your best results. Dropping a full 1″ in one step is likely too much. Try small increments to see what happens. The measurements that fishn4bass is referring to is from the center of the nosecone to the bottom of the hull. Oh, and make sure you mark your original height by scratching/marking somewhere on the jackplate. That will give you a reference should you need to return in the future. Hope that helps. KentKent Charles 2002 Pantera Classic & 200 Yamaha VMax

[Shap from La]

I think the best thing would be for you to follow the advice that BCB put up. They have had more experience with this combo than any of us. If you are still not satisfied after you do that then put a Sport SE 300 hydrofoil on it and it will plane alot better. Most just dont like the look of the Hydrofoil on the motor. It never bothered me much. Chris Coupel Paulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.

[CajunCatIII]

Thanks all! I will be trying my 25p Renegade this week and experimenting with lowering my motor. In the meantime, I picked up a used 25p Shooter that needs to be reworked, but Im not sure if since both are 25p, there will be much difference. Im not looking for top end, but rather good hole shot. I doubt I will ever open the boat up much over 50-55 mph, so are optimizing RPMs still as important?? BCB, you recommended either a 23p Renegade or 25p Shooter. If my 25p Renegade isnt effective, even after adjusting motor height, do you suggest re-working my Shooter and changing the pitch? If so, should I go down to 23 or 24? I appreciate all the replies and advice and will keep everyone posted on my progress. As always, great help, great folks on a great site!!!

[brnzbaklvr]

I may be interested in that 25P renegade if it doesnt work out for you and the prop is in good shape. I think it is going to be too much prop for your setup..Just as BCB said to improve your holeshot you should be looking at 23P-24P..anything more than that in a 4BL is going to do more harm than good to your HS especially if you plan on staying out of WOT. Let me know..mxracer_269@yahoo.com

[Author]

Posts