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Starflite Question

F

FluidGrooves

New member
Hi All, I have a 87 Starflite with a 225hp evinrude. I am getting ready to put her on the water in a few days and I had some questions. First, Engine height:Where do these things run best? I have a 27 pitch renegade with 8&1/2 inches of setback and was running the cav plate dead even with the flat panel on the bottom of the hull, which is several inches above the bottom of the v. I was having slip issues last year with both hole shot as well as top end (was running 56-58 on speedo while spinning 5500 rpms). Should I go higher, or lower? Also, Where should I be as far as water pressure. My gauge was reading 10-15 psi between the midrange and 5500 rpm. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim.
 
Hi All, I have a 87 Starflite with a 225hp evinrude. I am getting ready to put her on the water in a few days and I had some questions. First, Engine height:Where do these things run best? I have a 27 pitch renegade with 8&1/2 inches of setback and was running the cav plate dead even with the flat panel on the bottom of the hull, which is several inches above the bottom of the v. I was having slip issues last year with both hole shot as well as top end (was running 56-58 on speedo while spinning 5500 rpms). Should I go higher, or lower? Also, Where should I be as far as water pressure. My gauge was reading 10-15 psi between the midrange and 5500 rpm. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim.
 
Welcome to the board. To set the height of the motor take a measurment from the bottom of the hull and center it on the front bullet of the lower unit. You may have to use to streight edges. Measure the distance between the 2. This is how far below the bottom of the boat you prop is running.
Water pressure is good, so you may want to go up. This will help the top end. I would think that 5500 rpm with a 27p you would be running a bit faster.
The hole shot problem is the prop. 27p are sometimes hard to spin up. Does it have vent plugs on the side of the prop. If so ou could try and take these out, this will allow some exhaust gas to slip by the blades and help the motor rev a bit out of the hole.
 
Thanks for your reply. The 27 pitch is a 4 blade and the outside of it is actually smaller diameter then the gearcase so there is a gap there and im guessing exhaust is getting to the blades. The problem i was getting on hole shot is actual slip, to the point of blowout. I ordered a weed ring to block out gasses getting to the blades incase thats the problem. Where should the propshaft be in relation to the bottom of the boat? I was running roughly 2-3 inches below the lowest part of the boat with the propshaft. Thanks--Jim
 
If it where my boat, go up untill you start to loose water pressure then down a bit.
The smaller diameter of the hub would exsplain the blow out trouble, the ring should help.
 
Welcome to the board Fluid.
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Ok---Took her out this am. Hole shot and acceleration were both slow--Even though I installed a stingray last week. Top end is slightly slower with it being 52 or so at 5200 rpm. Water pressure was ok with a slight decrease when trimmed up. Im starting to think that my prop is just way too big. 27 pitch 4 blade is higher than what most are running. The weed ring helped with the hole shot ant theres no more blowout but my top end is still in the toilet. Any ideas??
 
WITH A 27 PITCH PROP YOUR IN BIG BLOCK TORQUE TERRATORY, NOT HI-REVING OUTBOARDS. YOU NEED TO GO DOWN TO 24 OR 25 PITCH TEMPEST OR LAZER II IN ORDER TO INCREASE TOP END AND TAKE ADVANDTAGE OF YOUR TOP RPM RANGE WHICH SHOULD BE IN THE 5500-6000 RANGE.
 
HEY FLUIDGROOVES, I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH A RAKER PROP. ONE OF THE REASONS YOU MAY HAVE SLIP ISSUES COULD BE EXHAUST EXITING AROUND THE PROP. SOME PROP HUB ARE SMALLER DIAMETER THAN THE LOWER GEAR CASE ALLOWING GAS TO EXCAPE AROUND THE PROP CAUSING "PROP BLOW OUT" OR SLIP. IF YOUR PROP HUB IS THE SAME DIAMETER AS THE GEAR CASE EXHAUST SHOULD EXIT THROUGH THE PROP HUB. TOO MUCH JACK PLATE LIFT MAY CAUSE AIR CAVATATING AROUND THE PROP THEREBY ALSO CAUSING SLIP. GET A HYD. JACK PLATE. THEN YOU CAN BURY THE DRIVE DEEP FOR HOLESHOT AND RAISE IT AS YOU INCREASE SPEED.
 
Jupiter, Thanks. Hub on prop is smaller than the gearcase. Slip was an issue last season with this prop but since the installation of a weed ring, any noticable slip on takeoff is non existant. Im guessing there is some slip there at higher speeds due to slow top speed vs rpm with 27 inches of pitch. Although, hole shot is slower with it and acceleration is now slower than last year once on a plane. I think a 24 or 25 pitch would help. Thank you.
 
The raker is a good prop. Kind of like an OMC version of a laser. Give it a try. The holeshot should br much improved.
 
That boat set up correctly should run at least 65 I would think. You'll need the proper set back and the right prop. If you're just running in the mid 50's, you have some work to do in the set up deparment. It's fun a fun process though, so don't worry, you'll get there.
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Gentlemen, Thanks for your help. I do think im running a little high in the prop. This 27 I guess is for a bass boat. Im running short on funds so a new jackplate will have to wait awile. Ive sunk countless dollars into this thing as it was a complete restore. I tore the whole thing down and rebuilt her from an empty shell. New interior, gauges and the only wire thats original in the thing is the one coming from the bow light. I am in the market for a 24 raker and I could swing a decent used one. I appreciate the help, Jim
 
where are you located? ive got a 24 raker, not in use, it needs a thrust washer and nut(because mine was modified for a merc). this prop would push my enchanter right at 70 with a 200 merc.
sold the boat, dont really need the prop, but i do want to try it on my I/O just for kicks.
havent even thought of a price. email me i could send you some photos if youd like. i would say its about a 6 on a 10 scale, but not beat up at all!!
maurer70@hotmail.com
if it didnt run like youd expect id give you all your money back. youd just have to pay for all the shipping.
kevin
 
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