Doug's '85 Mate

[Chris]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 175checkmate:
Chris, you would love to ski behind mine, It will pull you out of the ski's if you use full throttle and there is very little wake. My son doesent like it much, not to great for a kneeboard.

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1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yup, when I was growing up our friends had a trimate with a 150 Merc tower of power. That was a great boat!

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[Chris]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tpondal:
When I bought the boat (89 Sportfire w/ Merc 135) it had a 21p stainless (no other markings). It had a hard time with the hole shot so, don't laugh, I picked up a standard merc alum 19p prop. This helped some but the boat just doesn't seem to have it regarding hole shot. I also have to watch the tac as it will over rev with this prop. I have been torn between the I/O or putting $$ into this one. The motor is also an 89 and may need some attention? When hitting the throttle, the bow rises quite a bit. Maybe some technique is needed as well. I usually try to tuck the motor in as much as possible as I take off to counter this. The boat has a hyd jackplate and have played with this some too. BTW, my daughter just gave me a book "How to be a Canadian". Just started reading. Pretty good so far, eh?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Something is wrong bro. There should be no problem pulling skiers with that boat. 135 is more than enough power. Have you checked the compression etc on the motor? I have a suspicion something is amiss somewhere. You don't need to buy a I/O to ski behind. The rig you have should do it IMO.

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Checkmate-Boats.com-The Fanatics Home!

 

[tpondal]

Thanks for the feedback Chris. I've been torn about the V8 I/O since shortly after buying this boat. It's sweet looking and pretty small for a 17'. I always thought it should do better but wondered if having so much weight in the back (motor, gas tank, people) was the real issue. I'll move this conversation over to ask the experts. Maybe with the board's help, and some cash, it'll be dialed in by spring.

 

[F150GT]

I swear by a good 4 blade stainles, with the right prop you should be able to pull up whatever you want. If you really want pulling power go for smaller pitch, just watch the r's.
I have an 18 pitch MACH from a previous ski boat, it's too small but the boat will jump out of the water.(tops out at 50 MPH) Chris I've never run a high five, but hear there real good with hole shot.
F150GT

 

[175checkmate]

Alot also has to do with the weight distribution. I run a 25p Laser 2, pull up people no trouble. Put a 19p on to play with, man what fun that was, trim up a bit and nail the gas, boat jumps out of the water, come to a stop, add trim, hit gas, boat was streight up and out of the water, Had to clean the swim suit out after that one. Took the prop off and quit while I was still floating right side up.

1975 Checkmate Tri-mate 2, 2.4 200+ / Sky jacker 6" plate / 25p Laser 2 prop

 

[F150GT]

I was at a waterski show once and they were running a 17' flat bottom with twin 150 Yamaha's
the driver trimed it up and rode on the props all the way acrost the lake. I could see daylight under the transom, very cool.
I wanted to find a second engine for my J-craft after that.

 

[tpondal]

Good point about the wake. I get complaints from knee boarders, as it is minimal, the way I like it on a slalomn ski. Yeah, it sounds like something is not right. With the 21p prop it struggles to plane out unless the trim is down in good shape. Once underway it will get close to 60 (limited by the chine walking, probably due to my technique more than anything). The hole shot is pretty disappointing, though.