I Love my Sportfire Again

[Enticer1]

I finally got the Sportfire to handle, it was as simple as jacking the motor up higher. I had been running with the prop shaft even with the pad and between 55 and 60 it would turn into a squirrel. Today I put the shaft 2 inches above the pad and 80% of the chine walk is gone. I'm now running with 7.5 inches of setback and I kept an eye on the pressure guage and all seemed OK. I had the wife in the boat with about half a tank of gas so she may have helped with the balance. Now I want to get out alone and see what it does. I still can go up at least 1 more inch but for now I want to get some seat time with this setup. Looks to be a fun summer on the Hillsborough river.

Doug (The Senior Gatormate):cheers

[illMATTic]

Today I put the shaft 2 inches above the pad and 80% of the chine walk is gone.

say whaaaat? how did you even plain off? the prop would be out of the water even if you could get on plain.

are you sure you are measuring it right?

[PapaMaC]

above the pad?! or below? :eyecrazy:

[supergenius74]

Yeah, that seems high, Even my 4-hole CLE starts to loose pressure when i get close to "even with the pad" and thats with 13" of setback.

[Enticer1]

You are absolutely right Matt, I moved it up 2 inches on the plate. I thought I was already even with the pad. I just put a straight edge on it and its still 1.5 inches below. I also just discovered that the prop was a little loose and I've never had a prop work loose, probably because I'm running it at the surface. I guess the carrier bearing will go next. Time to get my off-shore lower freshened up. It sure was fun driving it befor I discovered the pitfalls of a jacked up motor. I also put the straight edge from the upper blade of the chopper back to the transom and its scary high. Both of my lower units have Bob's nose-cones with low water pic up which accounts for my good water pressure. I'll let everyone know how this plays out but I'm still very pleased with the improvement in the way it handles.

Doug

[illMATTic]

doug, did the prop nut loosen? or are you talking about a lil in and out movmet of the prop shaft?

[Enticer1]

Matt, the shaft seems fine (no in or out) I pried the retainer tangs up and leaned on the nut with rachet and it snugged right up. I'll check it again after the next time out.