prop sugestions '85 Enchanter 21' '87 200 Black Max

[fbpd227]

I am new to the board- and new to performance Checkmates/ outboard boating. I just picked up a 1985 Checkmate Enchanter 21 foot that came with a 50HP Merc ( I know- I was told that was the "trolling motor" LOL) and have NO IDEA where to begin on a prop for the new Black Max 200 that will be hung on the back? I will primarily be using the boat for lake cruising/ and speed and maybe a seperate prop sugestion to use on the ski/ tube days. The first prop and primary prop will be the speed/ cruising one- so the first money laid out will go that way. ANY AND ALL help will be VERY appreciated!!!

 

[jallen355]

I would think that a 24" big eared merc chopper would perform well with the right setup. Meaning the the right jack plate with the right amount of setback and engine height.

A 23"-24" Throphy Plus or Powertech TR04 would then make a good choice for an "all-around" prop.

 

[fbpd227]

I won't be using a jack plate or any set-back right now- just bolted to the transom with about 3 inches above the prop to the bottom. I checked the Mercury site and they suggest:
Merc 3 blade- 14.625X26p ss or
Merc 4 blade- 13.750x26P ss

Doesnt that seem a bit high on the pitch for a "stock" type set-up?
The boat weighs @ 1200# + 350# for the engine + 32 gal inboard tank (32x @ 8lbs/gal= 256)+ @ 500# for passengers/ gear......an approx 2300# total on a 21' boat 89" beam, pad bottom Enchanter with 200HP.....I'm SOOOOO far lost now!!! LOL!!

 

[jallen355]

26" anything sounds a bit steep to me on a 21' boat. Especially with a stock 200 hp motor bolted right to the transom and buried in the water.

I'd be looking to try every prop I could get my hands on. Try some mercury dealers in your area. Maybe they'll have a loaner program. I did that with one of my boats. Merc demo props are blue. Dealers used to keep them and would loan/rent them out after leaving a deposit, of course.

Maybe boatman will chime in here. He's our resident prop guru and may have just what you need laying around somewhere.

 

[fbpd227]

WSell, I say 3" below the bottom, buit in actuality I mean where-ever it sits stock with a 20" mid- I actuaslly have no idea what the "depth" would be.......DOOOOOOWN the road I'll look into adding a jack plate and some set back- but for now i need to just maximize for a stock set-up....

 

[jallen355]

You might consider the fact that your only $150.00-$300.00 away from a manual jack plate and just wait and do it from get go. I can almost assure you it won't be long and then you'll be pulling a motor to install one. There is a considerable difference in performance and handling with a jack plate installed.

 

[fbpd227]

What does a jack plate do? What's the advantage? Why is everyone using them? I have ZERO exp with jack plates- I know what they look like- but have no idea how/ why they are used in HP set ups?

 

[jallen355]

Well, first keep in mind that jack plates come is different setback. 4", 6", 8", etc. etc. etc. Setback and engine height are where the performance and efficiency benefits come from and both are attributes of a "jack plate". That said, here's what can be learned.

It is often desirable to move the mounting point of outboard engines aft from the hull's original transom. ie: "setback". The two principal benefits of this are:

The propeller runs in cleaner (i.e., less-turbulent or less aerated) water that exists behind the boat.

The engine can be raised (sometimes several inches....hence the "jack" part of a plate/bracket) which reduces the hydrodynamic drag by having less of the engine lower unit submerged in the water.

The net effect of these changes is to increase the propeller efficiency (from operating in cleaner water) and to decrease drag (from reduction of submerged lower unit). This increases the potential top speed of the boat, and improves the overall fuel economy....and a 2.4 200hp does burn some fuel. I went from a 2.0 to the 2.4-200 and it was like going from a toyota 4-cyl. to a full size p/u with a big block.


There are some more performance benefits to a jack plate such as bow lift (in static trim) may be gained from the changed weight distribution aft. When underway this in turn may allow the engine trim to become more vertical, resulting in the propeller thrust becoming more aligned with the forward motion of the boat. Also, the engine thrust will be applied with a longer moment arm to the boat's center of lateral resistance and the boat's center of gravity, producing greater leverage of the engine thrust on both the boat's course and the boat's trim. This part has been a discussion of late here with regards to how much setback is optimal for what hull. For instance I am currently running a jack plate with 9.5" of setback and still find myself using every bit of trim to obtain maximum rpm from my engine. In theory, if I could go to say 12" or 14" of setback, I should be able to use less trim and have a better handling boat at W.O.T. On the downside, I could end up with a proposing boat at mid level throttle or cruising speeds.

Dizzy yet???

It's really not rocket science.

 

[sim]

Hey jallen- what a great explanation !

 

[HobieHernandez]

as far as speed,I have not been able to find a prop that puts me over 62mph,But the prop I have now will run up to 62 and up to 55mph with eight onboard,great take off and works well towing,I have a raker that may not fit your engine,but you may find something else in its size,,,14.5 -22p......GOODLUCK,,I have a 24 raker but can only get to 60 by myself,not enough power to turn the big rpm,,,

 

[fbpd227]

WOW! ok, so what would be a "starting point" for a newb with an Enchanter hull with the 2.4 Black max? something I could enjoy for a while and garner more exp with before stepping up to ya'lls "pro" level? and also- what about a good "starting" prop with this set-up?

 

[Mark]

That combo likes a small hub 4 blade. Given that it is a 2.4L you need all the help you can get on hole shot. The small hub 4 blades vent over the hub allowing the prop to spool up quicker. I would say a 23" TRO4 or Trophy. Without a JP you might be safer with a 22". However they are harder to find used.
I run a 24" TRO4 on my 21 footer with a 2.5L 200 with 11" JP. Great combo!

 

[MERC 225]

I have 1979 open bow model (Entertainer) of this hull with 2003 200HP Merc and I run a 25P Tempest with 6" set back on a manual jack plate. The Tempest is the best all around prop for my set up. Good ski prop and good top end. I also have a 24P tropy plus for heavy loads and it is a great ski prop. I have 26P chopper which is good top end but a poor ski prop.

 

[RidinDirty]

That combo likes a small hub 4 blade. Given that it is a 2.4L you need all the help you can get on hole shot. The small hub 4 blades vent over the hub allowing the prop to spool up quicker. I would say a 23" TRO4 or Trophy. Without a JP you might be safer with a 22". However they are harder to find used.
I run a 24" TRO4 on my 21 footer with a 2.5L 200 with 11" JP. Great combo!

Hey mark.
I see you ran all three pitches 23’24’25’ on your boat I have the same boat/motor combo. No foam and restored
Heres my setback setup

Motor is a 95 200 xri Good compression, is say its strong for its age

What pitch should i go with? I see you running a 24’ with 11” setback
With less setback should you go down in pitch?

Low end and control is more favorable to me, vs squeezing out the top end. If that makes a difference
Lot to learn about props. Amazing what a 1” diff in pitch can do.
Thanks for the knowledge

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d93wnxgyxjv40in/IMG_2659.JPG?dl=0

 

[jumbofordman]

I have a 25 pitch mystery prop that I run on my Enchanter with a 175HP Mercury, and it could hit about 62-63 with just me in the boat.


Unfortunately, I'm unable to tell you the brand/model of the prop because it has absolutely no markings on it whatsoever other than 25 etched with a Dremel on one of the blades.