What should my top speed be?

[saltfisher]

Boat info is a 1988 fiberglass 18' bass tracker 1800 FS (dual console) with a 1988 150 V6 black max. Has a stainless 3 blade prop, and manual jack plate. Specs on the boat are....

Length:     18'
Model Name/Description:     TOURNAMENT 1800FS(**)
Boat Type:     Outboard Boats
Hull Material:     Fiberglass
Beam:     7' 2"
Engine:     1
115 HP
Gasoline
Net Weight:     1080

It says 115 because that was what the package came with. The original owner must have upgraded. MAX HP is 150 which is what i have on it.

Thanks

[saltfisher]

I was just on trackers website, and seems most of there 17-18ft bass boats have the same beem as mine. Also most of the 17-18ft boats on trackers website estimated the weight to be 1350lbs. Not sure if thats with motor? Or is my boat really 270lbs lighter?

[Jdaddy]

I think you should see 50-55mph with a good set up, prop/jack plate/ even weight.

[WES]

i have a buddy that has a similar set up and his does 62 on the gps with both of us in it

[Jdaddy]

i have a buddy that has a similar set up and his does 62 on the gps with both of us in it

I think he needs a new gps 

[saltfisher]

The guy I got it from said it will do close to 65mph with just him. I didnt know if I wanted to beileve him or not.

[saltfisher]

I think you should see 50-55mph with a good set up, prop/jack plate/ even weight.

I know it does faster then this, as my buddy has a 21ft javelin and his boat does 52mph and I can pass him when we are both WOT.

[WES]

i have driven his boat and watch the gps hit 62 he bought the boat used and never changed the setup and with one person in the boat low on gas and no tourny load it will get 65-66mph

[Tritonrob]

Those years the boats ran about 60 with that set up.  I would say 65-66 would a stretch for those years.  Those boat were heavier and those motors aren't pushing out the power of new ones today.

[Basscat7]

Those years the boats ran about 60 with that set up.  I would say 65-66 would a stretch for those years.  Those boat were heavier and those motors aren't pushing out the power of new ones today.

Tritonrob is right.

That year Tracker/motor combo, when new would do right around 60 .....now you factor in a 20 year old hull that has undoubtedly absorbed some water over the years and a 20 year old motor....the hull weight is probably a couple hundred pounds more than when new, because of moisture retention in the foam/transom/stringers, etc....

55 would be about top speed.....

[saltfisher]

My boat weighs less then the new 18' nitros. My boat as researched on the internet weighs 1080lbs. The nitros of the same length are 1350lbs.

[Basscat7]

Your boat is also 20 years old....the technology used back then in boat building is light years from todays boats.....Your boat more than likely has taken on added weight due to moisture/water accumulating in the foam/stringers/transom and glass mat....trust me all old boats  accumulate weight this way........


Plus the hull design of your boat was not that great on hull lift..not like todays designs....a lot of variables ...you cannot compare a 20 year old design to a 2008.

Would be like comparing a mid 60's car to todays...night and day difference, especially in bass boat hull designs....

[mtolley]

there aint but one way to find out,  set the boat up and go run it and see what it will do!   mt

[saltfisher]

Got the boat out, and had a hand held GPS with me. The propshaft is about 5" below the pad, so im sure i could get some speed raising the motor at least another inch. We did just under 60mph with 1 livewell full, 75lbs of gear, 10 gallons of gas, me (175lbs) and a buddy (250lbs). With just me and no load i should see at least 60mph. I do have a stainless 3 blade prop. How much speed could i get by raising the jackplate another inch? That way its at 4". Someone told me to start at 3" and go from there, but dont want to risk screwing something up. Oh.. i also made a video... Enjoy!!

[OrygunBasser]

I had one of those before I got my Stratos, and I messed with the setup a lot.  At 3" below pad and a 26P Solas Scorpion, I was able to get 68 MPH easily, but that was with a pretty empty boat.

[saltfisher]

Wow, and im 5" below the pad. I need to get my water gauge working, and my tach so i can start raising her up a bit. Think i would be ok just setting it at 3" without monitoring water pressure? or should i keep it where its at? Where i go i rarely see any rough water, so the porp would stay in the water at all times.

[mtolley]

i would get the water pressure gauge working a nd also the tach so you know what rpms your turning now. that way you know if you need more or less prop.  id be looking for a tempest prop to put on that boat or a trophy as you seem to have no bow lift. do you know what kind of prop you have now?    mt

[saltfisher]

I know its called a protest, but didnt see a pitch size or anything. I guess i would have to take it off for that. So going with a different prop would give me better bow lift? I could use more bow lift. If i go with a different prop same pitch as the one i have now, would it be ok?

[Allen Shadd]

Tritonrob is right.

That year Tracker/motor combo, when new would do right around 60 .....now you factor in a 20 year old hull that has undoubtedly absorbed some water over the years and a 20 year old motor....the hull weight is probably a couple hundred pounds more than when new, because of moisture retention in the foam/transom/stringers, etc....

55 would be about top speed.....

I agree with the fact that boats, especially the older designed boats, will retain some water over the years. But a couple of hundred pounds equates to approximately 25 gallons of water...... that's a lot of water to be retained in just the stringers and transom. I think 10 gallons or less is a little more realistic for an 18' boat, if it held that many gallons for that many years there would likely be some major rot issues.

[Basscat7]

I agree with the fact that boats, especially the older designed boats, will retain some water over the years. But a couple of hundred pounds equates to approximately 25 gallons of water...... that's a lot of water to be retained in just the stringers and transom. I think 10 gallons or less is a little more realistic for an 18' boat, if it held that many gallons for that many years there would likely be some major rot issues.

Agreed on the stringers and  transom Allen, but the floatation foam is what really absorbs the water, and that can add up fast over the years. The foam acts like a sponge to retain water.

[AB]

Foam holds A LOT of weight.  Now, my guess was going to be that the boat might see 60 on a good day...looks like he is already hitting that, which does surprise me.  I would see if any of your friends have a 25 Tempest you could borrow and see what it would do.  You may not be able to turn it, but you very well may be able to.  Just for chits and giggles it's worth a try.

[mtolley]

I know its called a protest, but didnt see a pitch size or anything. I guess i would have to take it off for that. So going with a different prop would give me better bow lift? I could use more bow lift. If i go with a different prop same pitch as the one i have now, would it be ok?

yes a tempest(or a trophy) prop would make worlds of difference in the way your boat runs. like i said in my previous post,you really need to fix the water pressure gauge before you start raising the motor very much. you dont want less than 15lbs of pressure at WOT.  also the tach needs to be functional so you know what rpms your turning with what pitch prop. you dont want to overturn the motr(too many rpm's) or lug it either(too little rpm's) my best guess is that you want to prop that motor to turn 5800 -6000 rpm's at WOT. you may have to remove the prop to find the pitch stamping on it,but some where it will have it stamped on the prop. its hard to say if you need to replace yours with the same pitch tempest because you dont know your current rpm's.  ya got to start someplace and the best place to start is at the bottom fixing the gauges and work your way to the top!  good luck and report back as you can and folks here will be glad to help!  mike t

[saltfisher]

I will do that. Its at the shop now getting its spring service done. I know the carbs were never clean either, so that may help along with some seafoam. The mechanic called me and said he ran the motor, and it was breaking up. So trying to figure out whats wrong with it. It only does this "breaking up" when its warming up. Like its running on half cylinders and sounds weak. I will probably pay a arm and a leg for the service, but it has to be done. Im planning everything to be no more then $500 (tune up/lower unit oil change, full check on motor, water pump/impeller, and this ignition problem fixed.) If its more, then yeah welll.... has to be done. Then i will try and fix the tach/water pressure myself. Then fool around with props/jack plate. I think with the right height and prop i should see over 60+mph easy. Its hitting 58mph with just me at 5" below the pad and that protest prop.

[saltfisher]

UPDATE:

Working tach, and at WOT and just about 60mph im at 5500RPM at max trim. Could i run 6k RPM and still be ok? I dont run WOT very long. maybe 45 seconds-1 minute max. lakes are not very big around here.

[WES]

i was told to keep it under 6k and with the yamaha m25 on it i turn 5950 wot and get around 70 mph gps depending on how much gas, tackle and how fat my partner is.