Hydrofoil

[Ketchup]

5400 seems awful low. Look online at what that motor should be running, but im going to say go down a pitch. 

As stated the benefits of a JP are numerous, but not your only option. Probably your best, but not only.  

Several things to try.  First you gotta have a starting point. Thats the prop to pad measurement. Then what RPM's that motor should be putting out, then after you figure those 2 out, then adjust motor height and prop pitch if necessary. Im sure one/both will fix most of your issues.  

 

[fishinwrench]

I try to not get involved in propping boats because it takes too much time and there is so much guess work going on.  But I will say that all the boats I have tinkered with are way easier to drive when 5400 is the top RPM (or ones that are just barely capable of hitting 5500).

When you hear knowledgeable people say that it's bad to "lug" the motor I assume they are talking way more severe cases of "lugging" than 200-300 rpm.  I have torn down enough motors to notice that spline wear on the crank and drive shafts is way more pronounced on motors that are propped for higher rpm's.     What other possible issue could "lugging" the motor a bit cause?   If your hole shot is good (motor wise) and your WOT feels safe, and the boat doesn't fight you on turns.... then leave it alone.   

Excessive bow rise, and porposing is a hull/motor angle issue.  Propping 'til your heart is content might help some, or more likely just change the range at which the boat does it, but it probably isn't the cause.

[vernon]

17 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

I try to not get involved in propping boats because it takes too much time and there is so much guess work going on.  But I will say that all the boats I have tinkered with are way easier to drive when 5400 is the top RPM (or ones that are just barely capable of hitting 5500).

When you hear knowledgeable people say that it's bad to "lug" the motor I assume they are talking way more severe cases of "lugging" than 200-300 rpm.  I have torn down enough motors to notice that spline wear on the crank and drive shafts is way more pronounced on motors that are propped for higher rpm's.     What other possible issue could "lugging" the motor a bit cause?   If your hole shot is good (motor wise) and your WOT feels safe, and the boat doesn't fight you on turns.... then leave it alone.   

Excessive bow rise, and porposing is a hull/motor angle issue.  Propping 'til your heart is content might help some, or more likely just change the range at which the boat does it, but it probably isn't the cause.

Man, I love it when you speak common sense in ways that even I can understand it!

It flat makes my head hurt to read or listen to some of the conversations about motors, props, rpm's, hole shot, lift, top end, etc.

However and since my Z521 and G2 does all three of the things you've outlined here about as perfectly as I could ever imagine I think I'll quit thinking about it now.

Heck, I might even take a nap......

[snagged in outlet 3]

27 minutes ago, vernon said:

Heck, I might even take a nap......

Stinkin retired guys....

[LD Fisher]

Whoa!  I worked over 40 years to be able to take a nap when I want to. That's the advantage of being a ROF!  The only problem is that I sometimes forget that I've taken one, or was it two?  Wait.  Where was I going with this?? 😃

[snagged in outlet 3]

Hey, I'm not hatin, I'm jealous.  4 day weekend is killin me today

[liphunter]

If God and I have the same plan? After 35 years, I am 5 months  away from telling the RR goodbye and catching up on all that sleep and fishing deprivation. 

[Champ188]

7 hours ago, vernon said:

Man, I love it when you speak common sense in ways that even I can understand it!

It flat makes my head hurt to read or listen to some of the conversations about motors, props, rpm's, hole shot, lift, top end, etc.

However and since my Z521 and G2 does all three of the things you've outlined here about as perfectly as I could ever imagine I think I'll quit thinking about it now.

Heck, I might even take a nap......

Factory-rigged Rangers tend to be set up correctly. We'll see if that holds true since many of their best employees have jumped ship to the new Vexus plant. 

[vernon]

2 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Factory-rigged Rangers tend to be set up correctly. We'll see if that holds true since many of their best employees have jumped ship to the new Vexus plant. 

Out of the ten I've owned, I've only had one that I thought was less than optimum and it was a 487 with a 150 Mariner.  I called the factory and told them what I perceived the problem to be and asked if they had any suggestions and they asked if I could bring it by.  It just so happened that I had a trip to Bull Shoals coming up in a couple of weeks so they had Gary Howard meet me at the ramp and he spent the next two hours or so swapping out props and testing them and when he was finished I had picked up about 5 MPH (which wasn't really my primary concern) and it handled a thousand times better (what I did care about) and the hole shot was much improved as well.

He explained what he did and why as well as why it worked and while I stood there and nodded my head I still have no idea what on earth he was talking about!  I do remember there was something to do with it being a new hull design and they had set up the early ones while testing in cold water and without a realistic load and that didn't translate to warm water and all my junk.

What I do know is that it made a ton of difference but every other one I've had has been fantastic right out of the box.

Speaking of boxes, I seriously doubt that I'll buy another boat before they put ME in one so I'm not overly concerned with what happens next at Ranger although I'm enjoying following the birth of Vexus and find it both entertaining and intriguing.

I got to know some of those guys over the years and am pulling for them to do well.

Pretty good blood lines that's for sure.

 

[mixermarkb]

I'm still breaking from Wrench on this one, and saying that the OP's triton is overpropped by a size or two, and that if he swaps down in pitch, he won't need the bandaid of a foil, and that he will have a better handling, most likely faster/more fuel efficient, and more fun to drive boat. I also still say that a correctly dialed in manual jack plate will also put a huge smile on his face the first time he floats it off the trailer and punches it. He isn't gonna blow up his motor the way it is now, but he's sure not seeing the potential of that boat, and IMHO, a foil isn't gonna make it what it could be.