Porpoising issues

[Tireman99]

My 2020 Bass Cat Pantera Classic has been porpoising since day 1.  It has a Mercury 200 Pro XS with a Mercury Marine Tempest Plus #48-825864 23P prop.  Upon planing out, and up to 4,000 RPM’s, my boat is porpoisiong.  Anything roughly 4,000 RPM and above, it does not porpoise.  I even went to the expense of adding a Mercury active trim and I still have the issue.  I’ve read several forums of people talking about weight….trimming down….and prop size…

The last time out when this started happening, I turned the active trim off and tried trimming the motor down as suggested in different forums but this still didn’t solve my problem.  This is very annoying.  I am hoping for any suggestions. Thanks.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Active trim does nothing to address the issue. It’s either propeller selection (slipping), engine height, or trim that is not fully retracting. It could be excessive forward loading and perhaps some weight offsetting the prop bite.

It sounds as if your newer to bass boats and we would get some dealership assistance possibly.

[Tireman99]

Thank you for your recommendations. I am new to a new Bass Cat, definitely not the same as my 88 Ebb Tide.

[SLumpp]

Jeff, I have to assume that when you state that the boat is porpoising that it is attempting to settle back into the water as it was running  prior to it’s coming out of the water onto on plane, then sinking back into the water.  Every bass boat out there has a spot where once the boat is on plane and going there is a minimum speed that it will run without sinking back off plane.  Some boats can run slower than others, and as Basscat stated many times it is how the boat is loaded, or not loaded.  For example, do you have a 3700 plano box up in front loaded with say weights or jigs, and one of your crankbait boxes in the smaller compartments in the rear?  Something as little as that will make the boat run differently, just as the weight of the livewells being full, full gas tanks, 2 people in the boat, full compartments with gear, etc.  Try pulling much if not all your gear out of your boat, and run it with just you and full gas tanks.  It will only take a very short run to feel the boat get up on the pad and then you can dial it down to a “cruising” speed that you wish to run.  Remember how the tilt and trim is, etc.  Then start loading it up with your stuff as well as another angler.  You will come up with a way to load your boat to get the best out of it but it does take time behind the wheel.  Once you get it, running the boat will become second nature.

[Tireman99]

SLumpp, that you for your advice. I also have Minn Kota Talons mounted on the rear. A friend told me they are a lot of weight, couldn’t  go with Raptor ( that are lighter ), not enough room for pump. Will remove these and try also.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Actually the Pantera Classic is designed with a place for pumps, though it is often overlooked. The weight of the Talons will definitely make porpoise more of an issue as you mention. Though it should not have porpoise if its loaded right, properly propped and the engine height is not too tall. You also need to check full trim range to get it tucked under.

[Danieltx11]

Bass Cat Boats:

Actually the Pantera Classic is designed with a place for pumps, though it is often overlooked. The weight of the Talons will definitely make porpoise more of an issue as you mention. Though it should not have porpoise if its loaded right, properly propped and the engine height is not too tall. You also need to check full trim range to get it tucked under.

Where were the pumps suposed to be

[Bass Cat Boats]

We are checking on that and we spoke so someone that indicated the area is too short.

[SLumpp]

Tireman I would not be pulling those poles off yet, at least not before you run the boat empty, etc.  Let me give you an example, prior to this boat I owned a 2013 Cougar FTD, 250 Merc, no power poles.  Almost identical to the Cougar AE I am currently running, top cap layout is a little different and I lost some of the bells and whistles but the main thing was the year of the motor, and no power poles.  That boat I drove it above 77+ mph, no fighting the wheel as I gained more speed, nothing.  The boat drove at speed rock solid.  It had a stock 26p fury on it for a prop, same manual jack plate, etc.  That boat just ran, came out of the hole, it was good.  Now this boat, I am running a 25p fury that has been worked on and the boat wants to dance with me starting around 68-70.  It drives me nuts that I can not drive this thing as well as the other boat.  I even took it back to the dealer, both tanks full of fuel (52 gallons), 4 batteries, about 20 rods, more 3700 boxes full of whatever than I care to count, an anchor and yes 2 guys in it with a combined weight probably over 525.  The guy that was driving took my boat from zero to over 77 and it was still climbing when he asked me if it was fast enough.  I said yes, and realized then I really don’t have a clue when driving these boats at higher speeds.  So don’t feel alone in that camp, and I have had cats for over 10 years.  Keep on driving it, finding someone that is close (if your dealer is close I would start right there) who knows how to drive and set these boats up.  It is close when you get it from the factory, all you have to do is get it loaded right, and go from there.  Good luck.

[Tireman99]

SLumpp, Thanks again for the advice. I did get with the Bass Cat dealer and he suggested that the 23 pitch prop needs to be changed to a 21 pitch.  I explained to him how long it took to get on plane.  I’ll try this before removing my talons.

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