F150 and peak RPMs

Had the boat out testing some more with gear position and loads as I’ve been having porpoising issues with the WX1850. I have found this boat to be load sensitive when addressing porpoising issues. 2 full grown adults (4 adults total) and a cooler of beverages in the back without a full front tank caused some serious porpoising last weekend.

I found that if you run with the front tank full this all but solves the problem.

What I’ve noticed though is the F150 is getting 47.2 MPH at WOT (5600 RPMs) with a 19p Reliance stainless prop. If I tilt it any higher, I can get the RPMs up to 6000 but the prop slips.

It seems to me by this formula, I am leaving 400 RPMs on the table and unused. Is this what everyone else is seeing?

Even though you have 400rpms left you are still at a pretty good rpm. In order to get those extra 400 rpms you would need to drop pitch (if it was me its a definite no), raise your motor height but with your porpoising issue that might not help. I would check to see where the cavitation plate is running in the water at WOT. Raise the motor if I could and then add a little cup to the prop so it holds the water better and doesnt slip.

I’d also give a four blade prop a try.

Wade, I’m seeing pretty much the same numbers. I was slipping (Reliance 19) a bit as well, and had a bit of cup added to my prop. I’ve noticed a bit of hole shot improvement, but no WOT speed increase. But, I’m not slipping like I was, and can hit 6K.

That said, I’m right around your same speed. I had mine consistently 48-50mph last fall and earlier this spring(51-52 one day, all day), but seems like it’s in cold water and cooler air. My early season numbers were quite a bit better than lately (47-48).

I’ve also noticed the load sensitivity, much like water and air temp, but no porposing issues to speak of. I’ve been putting equal amounts of gas in each tank everytime I add gas. Thanks for tip and honest numbers.

Overall, still love the boat. It’s my first Skeeter, but won’t be my last, God-willing. Good luck…

Hang in there Wade, glass boats have so many advantages but they also have a few disadvantages. One thing I have really noticed on glass boats is load sensitivity, they need to be set up and balanced to the T. Usually this takes some time as many of the tourney guys I know will tell you that if they are trading boats every couple of years they actually just have them dialed in and set up to run peak performance, then they start all over again. On the porpusing issue give yourself some time to really know how your boat needs to run. I was have some small issues when I was coming down off plane, this season I have cured that issue by just learning my boat and how to adjust for smooth sailing and peak performance.

On your prop, I am running a 19 SS Reliance and hitting 5600, when I started with the 18 Reliance I had more RPM and about the same top end. I am going to see if I can pull a 21 soon, I would expect to increase top end but I know I will loosed in my hole shot. A guy can drive himself nuts trying to get that extra 1-2 MPH, but it sure is fun trying right!

Having driven Eric Rehberg’s last boat, an 1880 with a 150 and a friend’s 1880 with a 200—both did not have the issues you are describing. A roll in water (i.e. tuna boats, barges, etc.) can cause any boat to porpoise due to rolling water—in that case, driver error. Sounds like your propping is fine for a LIGHT load, as decribed earlier with any empty boat-just with heavy loads things are going to be slower-and more finicky. I was puzzled why skeeter went the route of the 1850 and the 1900-when the 1880 absolutely LOVED the 200 HPDI–it was fine with the 150-but with less HP, was fine- i.e.-not the same. You might want to try a 4 blade to lift the back of the boat more-do some research on diameters and pitch then talk to a good prop guy- possibly that might get your 150 more to your liking. It’s a great boat, just needs some tweeking.
Now for a speed demon–the 1900 with 200 HPDI would have tripped your trigger—-NO ONE EVER COMPLAINS ABOUT MORE HP!!!!!!!!

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Now for a speed demon–the 1900 with 200 HPDI would have tripped your trigger—-NO ONE EVER COMPLAINS ABOUT MORE HP!!!!!!!!

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I liked the 1850 over the 1900 for various reasons. Had to “settle” for a rig with the 150.

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I liked the 1850 over the 1900 for various reasons. Had to “settle” for a rig with the 150.

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Wade, would you mind mentioning what the pros and cons between these two rigs were from your personal perspective? Was it more of an interior layout versus hull differences?

Thanks,

FDR

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Wade, would you mind mentioning what the pros and cons between these two rigs were from your personal perspective? Was it more of an interior layout versus hull differences?

Thanks,

FDR

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#1. I like the huge area below the counsels on the 1850. Off the top of my head, I would say it’s 20″ wide X 24″ deep X 20″ tall. Tons of room for extra stuff the fiance/friends bring OR perfect places for the dogs to go hide and get out of the way. I think they are putting shelving in the modular counsels on the 1900.

#2. Deeper storage up in the bow. Especially the rod storage.

#3. Price

#4. The sweep of the bow in the 1850 cuts the water a little better than the 1900 (both excellent big water rides). I wanted the BEST big water ride (should have went with the WX2100 ).

#5. I’m a fan of 4 stroke technology. Having the 200 offered in a HPDI instead of a 4 stroke made a difference for me.

The only thing I like about the 1900 over the 1850 was the snap out carpet. If they would have offered the snap out carpet in the 1850. I wouldn’t have even considered the 1900.

I would like to point out that I LOVE my 1850 and I think it’s as close to perfect for me as I can get.

There is a learning curve coming from a tin boat and I’m still learning. I think between my own experience and a little prop adjusting I’ll get it dialed in well beyond satisfactory.

Anytime you put weight in the back of the boat with less HP you are asking for problems–can anyone guess my opinion on those jump seats??????

More than likely, all your issues pertain to load.

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Anytime you put weight in the back of the boat with less HP you are asking for problems–can anyone guess my opinion on those jump seats??????

More than likely, all your issues pertain to load.

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100% agree. My opinion of them has decreased significantly.

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Anytime you put weight in the back of the boat with less HP you are asking for problems–can anyone guess my opinion on those jump seats??????

More than likely, all your issues pertain to load.

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100% agree. My opinion of them has decreased significantly.

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I love the jump seats. Able to free up more floor space and still have a seat for someone to sit in. Also very nice for running the kicker. No one said you had to have passengers ride in them

Even in my boat last weekend I had 5 others and myself, (guessing about 900lbs) 3/4 fuel, 2 coolers and an anchor in the back, I had to run my jack plate and trim almost all the way down to keep from porpoising @30mph. But give it some gas and up around 40+mph I don’t have to worry about it.

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I love the jump seats. Able to free up more floor space and still have a seat for someone to sit in. Also very nice for running the kicker. No one said you had to have passengers ride in them

Even in my boat last weekend I had 5 others and myself, (guessing about 900lbs) 3/4 fuel, 2 coolers and an anchor in the back, I had to run my jack plate and trim almost all the way down to keep from porpoising @30mph. But give it some gas and up around 40+mph I don’t have to worry about it.

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Blah blah blah.

You’ve got a little more outboard than I do. 150+ HP more to be exact.

Actually I’m reassured to hear you are having the same issues with a full load. In fact when I was having the porpoising proplems. I was thinking to myself, “I’ll bet Corey doesn’t have these $@#%@#$ problems.”

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Blah blah blah.

You’ve got a little more outboard than I do. 150+ HP more to be exact.

Actually I’m reassured to hear you are having the same issues with a full load. In fact when I was having the porpoising proplems. I was thinking to myself, “I’ll bet Corey doesn’t have these $@#%@#$ problems.”

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Trying to hold a beyond fully loaded boat at just on plane cruising speed is tough with any boat. My boat was so loaded down I had to lower the jack plate a few inches from stock location just to take of haha. In my experience the only way to help it is a 4 blade. As long as it doesnt porpoise between like 4000(+/- 200rpm)-WOT with a *normal load* I wouldn’t be too concerned. Oh and I was shocked to see 59.2 with the 6 of us in there

Thanks for your thoughts and insight Wade!

FDR

I have an 1880 with 200 HPDI and and a T-8 kicker. I “HAD” the same porpoising problems. I also love the jumpseats. I can eliminate seats in my boat to create more floor space, and still have seating room for 4.
About 2 years ago James put a link to a hydrofoil that Greg R. suggested to him. He tried it with much success, and after a series of e-mails I decided to buy one as well.
Bottom line….It’s the best 4 holes and $60 I’ve ever put on my boat. Not only did it NOT affect my top end speed, but it increased my already great hole shot, and I can now run as slow as 25mph with 4 adults (2 fore and 2 in the jumpseats) without any porpoising at all unless I try to trim it way up.
I’m running a bone stock Yamaha Pro Series 21P and my motor is in the middle hole.
I would think the hydrofoil would have an even more positive effect on a boat with the 150 4 stroke.
Attached is a link to the hydrofoil.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/SE-Sport-300-Hydrofoil/699943.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dhydrofoil%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26x%3D23%26y%3D8&Ntt=hydrofoil&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

Good Luck!
Mike

X2 You beat me to it. I have one on mine Smooth as silk with however my boat is loaded.

I have this one
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Boating-Outboards-Accessories/Trolling-Plates-Stabilizers%7C/pc/104794380/c/104752980/sc/104655780/Cobra-Marine-Professional-Stabilizing-Plate/737295.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-boating-outboards-accessories-trolling-plates-stabilizers%2F_%2FN-1100537%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104655780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat104794380%253Bcat104752980&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat104794380%3Bcat104752980%3Bcat104655780

I think the biggest problem is that guys like us, that have 18 foot boats, ask them to do more than they really can handle. This class of boat is great but can be very fickle if loaded down like a 19 or 20+ foot boat. They run great with a standard load but with 3 to 4 guys and especially a kicker hanging off the back their handling deteriorates. I’ve talked to prop experts and they say these types of boats need stern lifting props not bass boat style bow lifting props. Those types of props are fast but aren’t the best choice of walleye boats.

I’ve been speaking with Propmann from up in Brainerd. He feels an 18 pitch with the proper cupping and larger diameter will provide the stern lift I need to eliminate the porpoising as well as giving me a better hole shot and I shouldn’t loose any top end.

The Reliance 19 pitch has a smaller diameter (13.75″) and the boat/load is just to much for that prop. A larger diameter prop should help solve this problem.

He’s going to send me one in the next week or so that I can test. He feels that with this prop, I may even be able to move the outboard up one hole. We’ll see.

I haven’t excluded the HydroFoil, but they are so ugly. I really don’t want to go that route.

I’ve seen quite a few Skeeters “out west” (Alex area / ND) with the Cobra Edge SS foil. Sharpest looking, but poorest performing IMO. I’m running with a SE 3000 right now, and am fairly happy with it.

Before drilling holes, I tried a Stingray Stealth (no-drill) early this spring. I was also planning on getting some of the proper cupping put on my Reliance prop. Before firing up the drill.

The performance of the Stingray Stealth was, IMO, as impressive as it was “ugly”. As feared, and as common sense would have predict, it wound up slipping / came off second time I had it out. It might have been a combination of right water temp and air temp, but it had me on plane instantly (no bow rise at all) with 3 adults and a 120# child. Speed increased from 49ish to just over 50 with 3 adults / 1 child, and I cracked 53 for a short time be myself (perfect chop as well.) I hate exaggerated reports as much as anyone, and hesitate to even say that I hit 53+ with an 1850/F150 with a T8 kicker and Vantage on the back. Scouts honor, it’s what I saw and experienced. I’m thinking air and water temp had a significant part in this. I haven’t put one back on to re-try, but they did send me a new one.

I broke down and drilled the holes for a Cobra Edge after seeing quite a few Skeeters around Alex and ND with them. Not impressed. Slightly better on plane time with full load, but lost considerable top-end speed.

Took it off and had some cupping done to the Reliance. I was losing grip / slipping quite. Couldn’t get over 5600 without cavitating. Slightly better hole shot, esp. when alone, but quite noticeable with load as well. Didn’t loose any top end. 48ish at 6K RPM without “slipping”.

Still wishing to maintain plane at lower speed and getting on plane faster with load or in rough water, I put an SE Sport 3000 after alot of research, esp here on IDO. Pretty happy with it. Better on plane and slower on plain speed with only slight drop in top-end.

I’m still wishing for the performance on that magic day this spring with the Stealth. I’ve read many reviews very similar to mine. Instant on plane, increased top-end speed (I don’t understand how, but I experienced it first-hand), and improved handling….but not one of them has stayed on. lol.

Looking forward to here how your 18 / larger diameter prop works out, Wade. I’m not a real big fan of the foil looks either, but I dislike having a couple friends or family with me and “standing on end” when trying to take off into typical Mille Lacs waves / wind. Also nice to stay on plane in rough water when I want. good luck…..

And I felt bad that my Alumacraft had porpoising problems..

After checking into props and foils I found the best way (imho) was to go with a hydraulic set of trim tabs.

My stock prop puts me about 300 rpms from max and has a great hole shot and top end (48mph).

It was only mid range that I had problems, with the tabs I can add a bit of stern lift and reduce the porpoising, taking them out of play when WOT or they’re not needed.

Least that’s the plan, waiting to install them when I have a free weekend.

Just a thought for you guys.

Al

Hi Wade,
We’ll touch bases to discuss solutions based on how you’re loading your boat. Sorry, haven’t read your thread until now and didn’t realize you were having issues. Will be in touch. How are you loading boat? Two people in jump seats?
Thanks,
Dave

Thanks Dave. Shoot me a call and we’ll discuss. The boat seems variable depending on the conditions and load.