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Optimum Set-Up For A Starflite?

D

Droozki

New member
Hey Gang!

I'm a new Starflite owner. It's an '86 and needs some work this winter. I'm looking at hanging a late model Merc 250 Optimax XS on it when it's ready for launching.

My questions involve engine set-up:

- set back
- jack plate
- lower unit
- props

What combinations have you used and what kind of performance have you achieved. :)

It's a LONG winter up here. I need some things to consider and plan for. :thumb:
 
Hello There,
thought I'd give you a little food for thought. I ran a 245 hp powered 92 starflite for 21 seasons. A little TLC this winter, I make sure to check and get the boat dry as possible. The foam in the bow behind the bulkhead can easily hold 100lbs of water. a lot of owners including myself removed the wet foam. Just assume the foam under the floor is wet too. But if the floors not coming out, what can you do.
I would consider a working hydraulic jackplate a must. Worked great for all around boating and water sports fun. I placed a 10 in setback between the stern and jp, for a total of 15 in setback. (was able to use original steering cables, but was really tight and proberly unsafe). I lost most of the ability to pull a 275lb man up on a slalom ski, placed undue pressure on transom, (wreck it), really didn't much with overall speed either, what the added leverage did do was allow me to carry more weight/passengers past the 60 mph mark, and it did look cool with the mota hanging in the next Zip code. With the weight of the above mentioned mota, I would consider just a Hydraulic JackPlate with no more of 6 -8 inch setback.
My mota was a first generation 2.5 carbed 245 hp merc racing mota with a CLE lower, (totally wrong mota for the heavy starflite hull) The lower was wrong for the set up too, but again sure looked cool on the trailer, a standard lower with somekind of low water pickups work the best till the 80 mph zone. So it is said.
With my light weight high reving low torgue engine I really couldn't run anything then a simple 21p Lazor II (total top end was worry, enjoyed getting there better) with a torquey xs youll spin a larger pitched prop
Hope You Enjoy The Starflite Half As Much As I Enjoyed Mine!:cheers:
 
I was spinning that 21p Lazor II at 7300/7400 rpms running 73/74 mph when everything was new and dry, 10 yrs and a couple powerheads later (factory fresh new powerheads, insurance was nice enough to pick up both for me at $8,000 a piece) it was like 7200 at 68/69 mph.
 
Hey merc245! That's exactly what I'm lookin' for! :D Thank you for sharing from your experience.

Your advice pretty much confirms a direction I was already thinking about. I think we may now be on the right track. :bigthumb:
 
Welcome! I'm running a Starliner, the open bow version of the Starflite. They're great hulls and will get you a lot of enjoyment. New power will wake that boat up for sure. I repowered mine with a new 250HO and love it. I'm running a 4" Jackplate as my Evinrude has about 5 inches of setback built into it already. It's pretty well behaved although I'll get a mild porpoise at slower speeds. If tuck the motor all the way in by trimming all down, it disappears. Everything Merc said is spot on. Lots of options for props...I'm partial to Bravos. Trophy props are good and a lot of guys run Tempests. All things being equal between driver, motor, and prop your hull won't be quite as fast as a Pulsare, but it will be easier to drive fast. I run a 24P Bravo 1 FS for my all around prop it will keep me on plane at 23 mph while pulling the kids and adults for towables and skiing as well as push me up to 70+ for the fun runs. Post up some pics when you get a chance.
 
Sam I am said:
Welcome! I'm running a Starliner, the open bow version of the Starflite. They're great hulls and will get you a lot of enjoyment. New power will wake that boat up for sure. I repowered mine with a new 250HO and love it. I'm running a 4" Jackplate as my Evinrude has about 5 inches of setback built into it already. It's pretty well behaved although I'll get a mild porpoise at slower speeds. If tuck the motor all the way in by trimming all down, it disappears. Everything Merc said is spot on. Lots of options for props...I'm partial to Bravos. Trophy props are good and a lot of guys run Tempests. All things being equal between driver, motor, and prop your hull won't be quite as fast as a Pulsare, but it will be easier to drive fast. I run a 24P Bravo 1 FS for my all around prop it will keep me on plane at 23 mph while pulling the kids and adults for towables and skiing as well as push me up to 70+ for the fun runs. Post up some pics when you get a chance.
Click to expand...


Thank you Sam I Am! Great encouragement! Much appreciated! :cheers:

I'm really excited to get working on this. I think it's gonna be a long winter! :yell:

:thumb:
 
Merry Christmas Checkmate Family! :cheers:

I'm still working on getting a handle on the 'needs' of my particular hull this winter. The snow has hit us pretty hard this last week or so. It looks like we're in for a 'traditional' winter here in S. Ontario. :irked:

In the meantime, I'm dreaming of the day the hull is ready for the water, re-powering and refitting. I appreciate the recommendations I've already received and I'm looking for more! Especially in the area of engine recommendations, steering systems, set-back plates, jack-plates, gauges, etc...

:popcorn:
 
I ran my Starflite/Mercury Pro XB250 with 11.5" of setback, Trophy Plus 27, SeaStar Pro steering at 81+ mph GPS using a hyd. jackplate to fine tune top speed..

 
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