Update: Now with PICS. Opinions on this etc 90 for my 26x

[Highlander]

Yeah,
Gotta agree with Geoff there ! I got a 75HP Merc. 4S 1731CC big block eng. with EFI so has more torq than Geoff, eng. but my boat is approx 1000# heavier as she is modified to live in ! , when G went to that prop he seen a big diff. in WOT speed that I can attest to , I was running with the same other prop,s G was before & my eng. was over revving 200-300rpm,s @ wot enough to set off the eng. alarm buzzing but not enough to kick in the eng. rpm limiter , so then I went to the same prop G has now & had a significant improvement in wot speed even with the eng. problems I was developing & that time ! so now I got my eng. problems resolved I,m hoping for better improvements

J

[bahama bound]

My tach still pegs out at 4400 rpm but I hear they can be way off .

[Highlander]

On my eng. if u slightly over rev the eng. the alarm buzzer goes off & if u over rev the eng. to the point that could cause eng. damage the rpm limiter kicks in & reduces the rpm,s significantly so the RPM Gauge is really obsolete as far as being used for eng protection . it is however still great for using to judge ur rpm,s re speed for best fuel economy when cruising if u do not have one of these electronic fuel monitors , although now u can buy a GPS & or radar units with both & have electronic rpm,s & fuel monitoring & eng temp,s & fuel mpg all in one , but I,m sure most of the eng, manufactures have rpm, gauges now that will give u that same info plus read any fault codes on ur electronic eng. , I think Merc,s new top of the line RPM gauge now has these options
u can get all kinds of stuff if money is not an option !! LOL

J

[jazaddict]

Fortunately I don't have to use the phrase "short by an inch" in other arenas of life.

First I had to build the a-frame scaffold.
Check.
Then the hoist, create the lifting-device (for $11 rather than $50....I JUST can't abide ridiculous over spending)
Check.
Got the wedges
Check.
Engine hoisted outta the truck, boat backed up, aaannnnddddddddd

Top bolts are too short.
$%#@/$>V.

[jazaddict]

So....the flat plane section of the motor should be even with the bottom most part of the hull.

If the holes don't exactly allow a perfect alignment, which direction do I err on? Motor plane lower than hull?

[Tomfoolery]

So....the flat plane section of the motor should be even with the bottom most part of the hull.

If the holes don't exactly allow a perfect alignment, which direction do I err on? Motor plane lower than hull?

I would set it lower rather than higher, if there's a question. You can always move it later, since you have a gantry crane at your disposal now. Too low adds a little unnecessary drag, but too high allow ventilation (air from above the water line getting to the prop, not to be confused with 'cavitation'), which is why the ventilation plate exists in the first place.

When you get it running at speed (after break-in?), take a look at the plate and how it sits in the water at high speed.

[Highlander]

beene & I set our eng.s approx 3/4 to 1" below the the transom on center which is actually even with the lowest part of the hull which is @ the center board on an

Yep that's a bummer when that happens bolts too short especially when u live out in the boonies like I do
J

[Gazmn]

Hey Jaz,
Capt Obvious here: just make sure skeg doesn't drag when motor's all the way down on trailer. Especially if you'll trailer alot.

I also put on a jackplate to raise motor completely out of the water while on seasonal mooring. & for Capt Ob

[Yuma]

Finally got a speed run in with the 13" pitch. 19.2 kts gps at wot 5300 rpm. 13s the winner!

[bahama bound]

Ballast in ?

[Yuma]

ballast empty,

with full ballast plenty beer and wine, three coolers with ice and food for nine day cruise for two - got a comfortable 16 kts @ 5000 rpm for over an hour and burned about 5 gallons of gas. Passed all four other boats in our flotilla that left the harbour three hours before us on a no wind day They were all willing to buy my boat on the spot after a day like that!
Got 7.4 kts top speed while on a broad reach the final leg home sailing with just the Genoa, consistently over 6 kts

[BOAT]

The 5300 rpm sounds right - I think that is WOT on 'boat' too, but boat only has 60 hp, not 90 hp. Also I only get 18 knots with no ballast, not 19. It appears your extra 30 horses are working.

[Yuma]

Yes, well worth the six grand cdn. after trade in