93 Checkmate Pulse 211 speed issues

[checkmaster]

I own a 1993 Checkmate Pulse 211 with a 95 Mercury 225 with 300 HP heads. I have been trying different things to make it run with a better top end speed. I have a total setback on the motor of 10 inches, including a cmc hydrolic jack plate. Best speed of 62-65 mph but boat will not take a consistant set on the water for those speeds. Best prop tried is a 23 Mercury Tempest. Boat is front end heavy with a net weight of 1748 lbs dry. I would like to see a speed of the mid 70's if possible. The lower unit on the engine is a sportmaster with 162 gearing. Motor tacks out 56 - 5900, which depends on how the boat took a set for that run. I've been told I don't have a HP issue.
Options available:
1: change motor to a blueprinted Yamaha 250 HP model 0S6 with 175 low end gears?
2: change motor to a used 99 300 Mercury Promax?
3: have a 23 inch setback bracket from stainless marine which would make a favorable change in performance
4: 1994 Pulsare 211 less motor available
If anyone out there is familiar with this boat and has come up with favorable changes from what I have, please advise.
Just the beginning,
checkmaster

 

[boatman4021]

The first thing I see is the Sport Master gear case and the gear ratio. Wildman has tried the Sport Master on a lot of boats and he says that it is 5mph slower on boats that run in the 70 to 80 range. The correct gear ratio for that motor should be 1.75. boatman

 

[xsive]

The first thing I see is the Sport Master gear case ....... boatman

Best place to start, try to borrow a normal gearcase. If you ain't running at least 80MPH you need a nosecone like a brick to the head. It should work fine with that amount of set back. Try it with the centerline of the propshaft about 3-4" below the pad.

As well, what was done when the heads were changed? You may have motor performance issues as well. I'd put the stock ones back on, ensure that you have good compression and leakdown and that everything else motor wise is fine. Often time people start modifying stuff to get more power and don't realize because of what they did or didn't do they actually get less power and a pain in the a$$. You should be able to make that thing run 70MPH no problem.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

If the motor is really turning 5800-5900 rpm you're probably propped pretty good. The sportmaster gear case will not help until you approach the upper 70's. As mentioned above, try a torquemaster lower, raise your motor height until the propshaft is about 2" below the pad, make sure you have good water pressure at that height and tight steering. You'll most likely pick up some rpm so going to a 25 or 26 pitch prop will also help your topend speed. The Tempest or Trophy would be a good choice. If you really need some bow lift, a chopper may help.

 

[Mark]

If you plug the numbers into the prop calculator it comes up with 18% slip. Way too much. I would think 10-12% would be a realistic target.
I agree the first step would be to borrow a standard gearcase to try. If that works you could probably find someone on Scream and Fly to swap with. I wouldn't do any other major change until I've tried that, then you can start dialing in props and engine height.
I don't think you'll get much over 70mph with that rig. The Pulse runs a little slower than the Pulsare but is better in bigger water.
Or, if you don't want the hassle and have the coin, trade the motor for a bigger one.

 

[supergenius74]

according to my calculations you have about 240-250 hp to hit the speeds you do with your weight. To get to the mid 70's you need to either have 320 hp or loose 500 lbs. A 300 pro max set up right can put out that much power so that is what I would do. Anything else is not going to gain you much for the effort, your boat is heavy as are most checkmates and you need to throw some power at it to go fast. -shane

 

[illMATTic]

i run witha guy who has a 95 with a 225 merc on it. he runs 75-76 or so. he has only 8" setback. he runs a 25P prop. im not sure on the mfg. tempest i think. with his std L/U he can jack it all the way up and still have proper water psi.

good luck

 

[checkmaster]

PULSE 211

I APPRECIATE THE FEEDBACK FROM ALL YOU ENTHUSIASTS.THE GENERAL COSENSUS SOUNDS LIKE :1) CHANGE TO STANDARD GEARCASE WITH 1.75
2) 10 INCH SETBACK SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT
3) 95 MERC 225 SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT
4) RE-CHECK VERTICAL HEIGHT TO PAD
5) GO TO 25 OR 26 PITCH PROP
NOTE:THE ONLY CHANGES TO MOTOR AFTER HEADS WERE CHANGED WAS A SLIGHT CHANGE IN JETTING.COMPRESSION ON ALL CYLINDERS WAS OK.I AM
IN THE UPPER PART OF MINNESOTA AND CANNOT TEST CHANGES IN THE BOAT AS OF YET DUE TO THE ICE STILL ON THE LAKES,PROBABLY ANOTHER WEEK OR SO.OTHER QUESTION FOR YA? HAS ANYONE WITH SIMILAR BOAT TRIED OR HEARD OF ANYONE THAT HAS USED A 23" SETBACK? THE REASON I ASK IS I RECENTLY PURCHASED ONE ON E-BAY THAT HAD A SWIM PLATFORM ON IT WHICH MY WIFE WOULD LIKE.STAINLESS MARINE SUGGESTED AN INCH FOR EVERY FOOT OF BOAT SO I THOUGHT I'D TRY IT AFTER THE ABOVE CHANGES WERE DONE TO THE BEST RESULTS (GOOD OR CRAZY)TRANSOM ISSUES POSSIBLE.STAINLESS MARINE SAYS NO PROBLEM.
MORE TO FOLLOW ON ENGINE QUESTIONS
THX CHECKMASTER

 

[boatman4021]

My "guess" is that it will be too much! With that much set back, you will porpoise problems at normal cruising speeds. boatman

 

[96pulse]

changes?

hey.. i have a 96 211pulse with a 99 200 efi, 2.5 l.. that i've been playing with... I can only get 58mph in the calm.. and 60 in a nice chop.. currently i dont' have any set back... i know the motor is too deep.. (waiting on a jackplate now).. and i'm running a 26 round ear through the hub exhaust prop.... what changes have you made and what results?

 

[aaronmt]

I was able to park my starflite sided by side with a pulse last year at crescent bar, wow there is alot of difference more than I had thought. I would go with 12 inches of setback(anymore is undo stress that ya probabaly wont need, if the motor checks out good out should be fine hp wise. If you dont have a water pressure guage it is a must. The propshaft height should be 1 1/2- 2 " below the V. Im not sure if theres bow foam in the pulses or not if there is it needs to go. I really dont think the cmcs 10" go as high as ya need(at least on a starflite they wont go high enuff). Id try a thophy plus 24-25p thell give yoyu more out of the hole as well as carry the bow and like to rev becouse the smaller diameter. Ive got my boat to .05-.06 percent prop slip. Im not sure if a pulse will be able to get that low, but you will ablsoutley be able to improve on where your at i dont think 69-72mph is out of the question. I just dont see mid seventies happening with that weight. When the starflite and pulse are side by side in the water you can the pulse is alot more boat , creature comforts add to weight. I agree with changing the lower unit for sure. I hope I was some help and not a hinderance. Aaron

 

[checkmaster]

PULSARE 211 CHANGES

STILL WORKING ON PROJECT FOR BOAT.SO FAR I DECIDED TO GO TO A PRO-MAX 300 . I HAVE INSTALLED A STAINLESS MARINE 23" SET BACK WITHOUT JACK PLATE.MOTOR UPGRADES WILL INCLUDE A WAYNE TAYLORS MAD EFI,RE-PROGRAMED FUEL AND IGNITION ECU'S,ERIC SIMONS POPPET DIVERTER UPGRADE WITH EXHAUST MODIFICATION.SEA STAR PRO HYDRAULIC STEERING,AND UNFORTUNATELY DON'T KNOW IF THE BOAT WILL SEE WATER THIS YEAR.JUST FOR INFO:THE 95 225 CARBED MOTOR WILL SOON BE FOR SALE.THIS ENGINE IS IN MINT CONDITION AND HAS VERY LOW HOURS ON IT.WILL SELL WITH 20 OR 25 INCH MIDSECTION AND WITH OR WITHOUT FLEETMASTER LOWER GEAR UNIT.MOTOR HAS BEEN TOTALLY RESTORED WITH NEW PAINT AND 250XB DECALS.HAVE STANDARD 225 HEADS OR PRO-MAX 300 HEADS AVAILABLE.AIR INTAKE MODS HAVE BEEN DONE ON AIR INTAKE SYSTEM,THIS MOTOR ORIGINALLY PUSHED THIS BOAT 70MPH ON A GOOD RUN WITH A TEMPEST 23.HOPING TO GET TO 80 PLUS WITH NEW SET UP.I'LL POST FURTHER RESULTS AS PROGRESS IS MADE.SPECIAL NOTE;WAYNE TAYLOR AND ERIC SIMON ARE EXCELLENT PEOPLE TO WORK WITH ON ENGINE MODS.GIVE EM A CALL IF YOUR IN NEED OF ADVICE THX DON