SPORTFIRE ENGINE UPGRADE

[crazycunuck]

Hi i'am just about ready to remove my old engine 115 tower of power and install a hydraulic jackplate with a 2.5 xri and was wondering should i have a bobs nosecone installed.I will be using the boat for tubing,skiing,parasailing and also would like to wind it out the odd time any advice would help cheers.

 

[Water Bug]

If you plan on running the motor jacked up real high I would.. but I run a nose cone on my 70 stinger too LOL I have always been able to get them to steer better with a cone installed, the lower for my 250 Evinrude is in progress now. the leading edge has been sharpened and the inlet holes have been opened up I also installed a torque tab to the skeg.
Some of the guys on this board said that it did not help them I'm sure there are a lot of different opinions here. I think it will have a lot to do with your setup how much you gain.

 

[JW]

Hard to guess, the 2.5 XRI could be a 150 or 175 or 200. If it's the 200 and you had the boat dialed in perfectly and all the weight was out, a nose cone might work. I wouldn't do it until after you run the boat. Can the boat easily suprass 80 mph? Then yes, nose cone. Can't get passed the low 80's? Then a nose cone will slow you down.

 

[crazycunuck]

Hey thanks for both of your opinions what i am worried about is proper water cooling so i don't blow it up the new engine is a 2.5 efi 200hp xri i think what I'am looking for is answers on all around use i will not be able to try this engine out until May yes May!!! as I've got to wait for the ice to meld on the lakes.So in the mean time i thought about sending the lower to bobs to have a nosecone installed. Also i think i am going to re guage the boat i have thought about installing livorsi guages water pressure and water temp tack etc so i guess what i'am looking for is everybodys thought on my best root to go for a all around use as i will be using this boat for recreation but also would like to wind it out too thanks Grant.

 

[Water Bug]

Water Presure and Water Temp are a must for Outboard Survival. Don't learn the hard way. It's a small price to pay to know what is going on . Good luck. Hate to tell you this it's 80 degrees here today LOL!!!

 

[JW]

Hey thanks for both of your opinions what i am worried about is proper water cooling so i don't blow it up the new engine is a 2.5 efi 200hp xri i think what I'am looking for is answers on all around use i will not be able to try this engine out until May yes May!!! as I've got to wait for the ice to meld on the lakes.So in the mean time i thought about sending the lower to bobs to have a nosecone installed. Also i think i am going to re guage the boat i have thought about installing livorsi guages water pressure and water temp tack etc so i guess what i'am looking for is everybodys thought on my best root to go for a all around use as i will be using this boat for recreation but also would like to wind it out too thanks Grant.

I doubt you'll be able to run that boat fast enough to make use of a nose cone if you're also going to use it for skiing/tubing. You'll need to keep the LU buried on a checkmate because you need the bullet and prop to provide bow-lift. When you add a nose cone, you increase the lenght of the LU, and when you trim up to get high speeds you're dragging a longer LU through the water.

It's been proven time and again that if your boat can't go 80+ mph stock, then you'll actually slow down by adding a nose cone.
Run the engine 2" below the pad and see what she does. Need more prop in the water? Then you'll have to bury it deeper. Gain speed by raising the engine up higher and higher until you lose pressure? Only then might you need some low water pickups.
One of our members here had a Predictor with a 200, which is a little faster boat than yours. He added a nose cone and wished he didn't

 

[crazycunuck]

So all being said i guess I'am going to leave the engine the way it is and just add the jackplate and new engine should i think about having some custom reinforcement brackets made for the top of the transom to the back of the backseat for extra strength or will i be okay with out the transom is in mint shape any thoughts anybody thanks Grant.

 

[JW]

You can close up the top two sets of holes in the LU to help with high running, and/or you can also get the Mercury scoops to force the water into the water intakes.

If the transom is completely dry and solid, I wouldn't go for the tie-bars on a 200 2.5. I would if it was a 225 3.0. That's a tough question, you won't know if you should have done it until you see some biggie cracks in the transom corners

 

[Mark]

You will not have any trouble getting bow lift with that hull. 5-6" is all you need for setback. (The Diplomat in my avatar is the same hull). Still, I don't think you need a nosecone for that setup. Just get a water pressure gauge and a set of Merc water scoops...far better than plugging the top holes. Also, you will want solid engine mounts and good steering. The Sportfire hull gets real loose in the chop.

 

[jallen355]

I'm thinking save your money on the nose cone install and put it towards a "jack plate" upgrade to a HYDRAULIC jack plate instead. That way you can bury the prop for skiing and tubing and then jack it up for the occaional top speed blast. That way you hend up with adjustability on the fly. Unless you end up with the consistant 80+ mph performer, which I don't think you will w/a stock 200 (close but not quite) your probably wasting time, money AND speed by installing a cone.