Nitro Z8 prop help

bassackwards · March 16, 2016, 10:33:04 PM

I need some help. I have a 2011 Nitro Z8 with a 250 Pro XS. My boat will not ride on pad and current max speed in perfect conditions is about 62mph turning 54-5500 rpms. The spray will only go to about the drivers seat rather than further back at full trim. This boat to be able to run 70+ or more all day long with a 250. I currently have a 26p Fury prop. That's what was on the boat when I bought it.

Nutt · March 17, 2016, 07:35:23 AM

I have the Z-7 with a 150 4 stroke, and mine has been doing the same thing yours is doing. Seems like I don't get the bow lift like I should. Water spray same place as yours, and I can only get 5300 rpms max. When it was new, I got 5600 rpms, and it seemed to have more bow lift. BPS in Bossier checked the motor and said everything is good. I don't have a jack plate, but don't understand the difference between first getting the boat and now.

Ron Fogelson · March 17, 2016, 08:50:09 AM

Both need to double check you getting full movement from hot foot/throttle to engine

Nut besides that need to double check your prop for dings and load. Over time we all tend to add a lot of extra weight to our boats, it adds up fast and becomes more then we realize.

bassackwards again double check your throttle movement, very common to have the hot foot be an issue to getting full response. Also without knowing any other numbers it very much sounds like your motor is to high and not carrying the load of you boat like it should. Now it could be to low causing the rear of the boat to ride so high it can't carry the bow. What is your prop to pad? Are yo running a hydraulic jackplate, a manual or is it just a set back?

Nutt · March 17, 2016, 08:59:20 AM

Quote from: Ron Fogelson on March 17, 2016, 08:50:09 AM
Nut besides that need to double check your prop for dings and load. Over time we all tend to add a lot of extra weight to our boats, it adds up fast and becomes more then we realize.

Thanks, Ron. I have played with what I carry, and have taken some stuff out. My issue didn't start happening until after the UBCS last year. I got bad low on fuel one day, and filled up that evening at Toledo Tackle. At first I thought it could be bad gas, but the longer its gone on, maybe its a partially dirty filter or something. Ive changed the plugs, just haven't changed the fuel filters yet. Hell, maybe I just cant drive a boat.

bassackwards · March 17, 2016, 10:54:20 PM

Not sure what my prop to pad is but I do have a manual jack plate set level. One other thing I forgot to mention. I added a gorilla hull from Toledo Fiberglass. I know that added some weight but before I sent it there is was running 65-66 and 5600 RPM before I trimmed out. I will have to check the hot foot. Is it something pretty easy to check? Probably a silly question but the last motor I worked on myself was a 1990 30hp Johnson.

Ron Fogelson · March 19, 2016, 06:54:27 PM

Easy to check just need a person to push the hotfoot while you watch the throttle cable inside your motor to make sure it's opening all the way. If not you can adjust the stop bolt on the hot foot to give you more movement.

I've always been told the gorilla hull will give you more speed but I've never run one and don't know anyone that has one to verify that,,,, just what I've read on line over the years. With that said any adjustment to the hull could very well be reason to have to adjust motor height and or the prop.

bassackwards · March 19, 2016, 08:36:13 PM

Thanks Ron. I got a 24 and a 25 pitch fury on the way to see what kind of results I get. I need more lift.

Ron Fogelson · March 20, 2016, 12:43:43 AM

Quote from: bassackwards on March 19, 2016, 08:36:13 PM
I need more lift.

I agree that and RPM's

7TCU · May 15, 2016, 10:37:34 PM

I also slowed down with a gorila hull I had to lower the engine about a half inch and took it back for them to do some tuning on the hull. The top speed has come back to what it was before the work. I am pleased with the new hull I have run some rebar and t posts over on my trolling motor since glade i have one. You got to love them duck hunters they know how to put some trash in a lake.

Russ199A · August 15, 2016, 02:31:38 PM

Quote from: bassackwards on March 17, 2016, 10:54:20 PM
Not sure what my prop to pad is but I do have a manual jack plate set level. One other thing I forgot to mention. I added a gorilla hull from Toledo Fiberglass. I know that added some weight but before I sent it there is was running 65-66 and 5600 RPM before I trimmed out. I will have to check the hot foot. Is it something pretty easy to check? Probably a silly question but the last motor I worked on myself was a 1990 30hp Johnson.

I also have a Gorilla hull from Toledo Glass. It slowed me down a couple MPH, but like mentioned above, I took it back and they put more rake in it and brought speed back up. They want me to bring it back this fall so Al and I can run it on Toledo. A 21 ft G-haul only weighs 40 lbs.
As for your Z-8, you should be hitting close to 75 mph when set right. The only Z-8 I've been around had a 27p Tempest plus. You may have the right prop with the 26p Fury, but only need to raise the engine up.
Last thing to think about is if you have any heavy items up front that can be moved to the back of the boat. Such as an anchor. A boats fulcrum point is the jack plate, so the more weight you have in the front amplifies bow lift resistance.
You may want to take everything out of the boat, go run it and then add your items back in and move things around to get the performance you want.