Help with setup

[m28ogie]

I hope I am asking this in the right place. I have a 1997 sprint 286 S with a 1997 130 HP Johnson. I am running 14.25" X 23" aluminum prop right now, but plan on upgrading to a stainless prop in the near future once I can find the right one. I want to add a jackplate to my boat, but I don't know which kind to get. I read that dealing with those can be finicky due to some not being the perfect match for the boat and motor.  Can someone please point me in the right direction for the perfect setup for me? Right now I run about 53 MPH at 5900 RPM. Also, do prop dealers usually let some one try it out before buying, because I don't have that many friends with a stainless prop laying around. Thank you

[BassBUFF]

Going from an aluminum to a SS prop will help. General rule is to go down one pitch when switching because the SS prop will not flex like the aluminum.

[SWMIBASSER]

I'm assuming that based on you HP, that isn't that long of a boat.....Based on that, and your current speed, a 6" plate will do good.......


In bass and walleye boat magazine the project bass boat, needed a short prop but it was catching air up front and the bow was too high.....Of course it was approaching 90mph.


Raising the engine will give less bite during the hole shot.....Moving it farther back will help it get more bite....
Moving it back carries the bow too.....

On my boat I've got a 6.5" Bob's manual plate.....It's only a 17.5ft boat. But I want to add 2" spacers to space it back more. I'll do some testing once the boat is up and running this spring, but based on what raising and moving back the engine does, I'm going with the more is better thought process.

[m28ogie]

The boat is 18'6"

[TLW]

Steel prop will help a lot. But your workin' with a 130 which is little short on HP for that boat imo. With that motor a 4 ta 6 inch JP would be enough. Tha first thing ya need ta check is tha steerin' cable length. A lot of dealer rigged boats have "0" allowance for addin' a JP. This can be a something not thought of till ya start ta put it all back together. If ya got HYD. its not a problem. Also check tha throttle and shift cables for length just in case. Usually not a problem there. Hope this helps a little.............T   

[GotstaFish]

Steel prop will help a lot. But your workin' with a 130 which is little short on HP for that boat imo. With that motor a 4 ta 6 inch JP would be enough. Tha first thing ya need ta check is tha steerin' cable length. A lot of dealer rigged boats have "0" allowance for addin' a JP. This can be a something not thought of till ya start ta put it all back together. If ya got HYD. its not a problem. Also check tha throttle and shift cables for length just in case. Usually not a problem there. Hope this helps a little.............T   

Good points. If they come up short your into a lot more cash for sure.