Best setup for a Starflite?

[Rob'Z]

Thanks again for all the advice guys. I am looking forward to next season and trying out some of these ideas.

As for the bow foam, how do I access it? The boat just underwent a 90% restoration (everything except buffing the gelcoat) so I assume the foam is removed or new but I could be wrong.

 

[Boston Predictor]

Rob, I'm not sure where the foam is on the starflite, but on my predictor it's inside two vertical colomns on either side of where my feet would be when sitting. There is a small section in the tip of the bow too. I removed mine to build a speaker box and found that it was as parched as the Sahara desert because no water could ever get to it.

Mark, I never knew that the setup was so critaical. I have my 2.5 bolted to the transom on the lowest bolt...not sure where the propshaft measures though. I have a ss 25p turning around 6000-6500. I didn't install the jackplate so I can't mess with the height yet.
I know that I have had the predictor over 70GPS (even though I dont have one myself) because ive done alot of racing with people who have had them onboard. I am curious if I'm likely to see the gains that you have when I have mine set up properly?

 

[Mark]

BP
Setup is more critical on an Starflite because of the need to carry that long bow. If you get the prop too high the bow drops and the prop slips. You will definitely be able to dial yours in with a plate, but because you don't need to worry about lift, the results may not be as dramatic.

 

[F150GT]

Your prop shaft height is directly related to your set back and prop choice, these factors will directly affect your RPM. On my Enchanter (totaly diffrent hull) I have one factory Yamaha 25 pitch 3 blade that likes to run deep or it will start to slip. I have an over the hub chopper 28 pitch that likes to run as high as I can get it and maintain water pressure. I have a 4 blade 24 potch thru hub that performs best high and at excesive RPM's. All three will get me in the mid 70's with a stock Pro-V 200.
I have bean dialing in my brothers older Baja 21' open bow for the last month, it was a real slug, 52 MPH with a 200 merc. Yesterday I made a 68.5 MPH run with the same engine and prop, when were done I'm sure we'll see over 70+. I took 70LB of heavy cushions out of the front (didnt help as much as I thought) Then I added 14" of set back with the prop shaft 1' below the V with a result of 64 MPH then added another 2" setback for a total of 16" and raised the moter to my maximum available height to 1/2" above the V (I can acheive this only with a low water pick-up) with this set up I ran 68.5 MPH with a strong wind chop. This winter I will build anouther set back bracket and get longer steering cables to dial it in further.
This boat performs very similar to my buddys Starfleight so the set ups are somewhat similar. these long heavy bow boats are difficult to get the bow out of the water and free up the hull. In the spring we will also be doing some experiments with the Starfleight running a 200 Merc.
My buddys bow foam was also soaked, we had to cut an access hatch into the the front bulk head (8"x14") to remove the flaotation. Makes for a nice storage compartmant also.
You have a sweet ride, just needs to get dialed in.
F150GT

 

[Rob'Z]

Previous owner said he removed all the foam already.