Prop, Livewell and General Update

joe7670 · #1 11-22-2009, 09:09 PM

So finally 2 weeks after the maiden voyage got the V back out there.

Seas 2-4, bay waters light chop. At no one point was I able to maintain top speed for more than seconds due to the chop and couldn't find a good flat spot in the bay this time.

In any case got out of the "break in" alert that smart craft guages display and the motor wasn't being rev. limited in any way by it. Still pulled off about 5400 RPM @ about 40mph on the GPS. Gonna chat with the shop to see. I really like the "launching" power it's got and don't know if it's worth changing prop for an extra 2-3 mph?

In floor livewell, well I really liked it. Only dislike is the fact that I have to put water into it manually. To keep the water fresh I added more about 5-6 times. Next time i'll take a 5 gallon bucket to make it easier. I don't think I had mentioned it on the forum yet but I put an LED in it. Will see how it works on the first night trip.

On the fishing front, well those dang fish weren't there or I have to learn more on how to catch them.

Live bait drifting from 200-100ft. but nothing. Small 2-3' sand shark was it.
Learnt a lot about fiberglass and boat repair now I gotta learn to fish

.

Anyone seen a V with shrimping outfit? I'm gotta find out if locally it's now a requirement to use side nets or if the pull behind nets are still ok to use. Excited as shrimpin season is a coming. One cold snap may just bring them out.

reelapeelin · #2 11-23-2009, 07:22 AM

If hole shots can be described w/the word; "Launch"...and yer gettin' 40 @ 5400, I'd leave that prop alone...I like the way that sounds!!...

RidgeRunner · #3 11-23-2009, 09:21 AM

"Launch!" I love it.

I always liked my rpm to run to redline at WOT trimmed out all the way. Most outboards make their rated hp at redline and I hate to leave hp on the table. Are you still turning the 15p Mirage? 5300rpm seems too low.

joe7670 · #4 11-23-2009, 09:27 AM

Yup. Still Mirage 15P.

reelapeelin · #5 11-24-2009, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

"Launch!" I love it.

I always liked my rpm to run to redline at WOT trimmed out all the way. Most outboards make their rated hp at redline and I hate to leave hp on the table. Are you still turning the 15p Mirage? 5300rpm seems too low.

Good question...what IS redline on your Opti?...

RidgeRunner · #6 11-24-2009, 11:20 AM

Mercury specifications call for 5250 to 5750rpm WOT. I guess anywhere in there is ok. If Joe is fishin out of Miami the throttle won't be pushed to the corner much anyway. The Mirage really has a lot of bite. I would try a different prop because I would be concerned with lugging the motor under a heavy load. (Boat full of gear, four guys, 200 lbs of dolphin and a couple wahoo) If it launches, Mercury said it is ok and more importantly Joe is happy, well jam up happy day.

joe7670 · #7 11-24-2009, 06:34 PM

Please explain further. the 15P would cause the motor to work more when under load?

Pardon my ignorance but new to this and not sure i understand the full dynamics of prop changes.

I had someone on my first post state that this prob would make the motor more efficient or work less offshore or something to that extent.

reelapeelin · #8 11-24-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe7670

Please explain further. the 15P would cause the motor to work more when under load?

Pardon my ignorance but new to this and not sure i understand the full dynamics of prop changes.

I had someone on my first post state that this prob would make the motor more efficient or work less offshore or something to that extent.

Do you have the opportunity to try another Mirage?...if so, try a 15 1/2 x 17P...will allow the motor to turn up a couple hundred more rpms, which you can stand and most likely give you better fuel economy...right now it's like if you took your car and had smaller diameter tires put on it, then tried to maintain normal speed on the interstate...the engine would work hard and burn more fuel...

spareparts · #9 11-24-2009, 10:18 PM

a 17 p would reduce wot rpms to a lower rpm than the 15 p, it would actually cause the motor to work harder than it is with the 15 by over loading the engine, lugging it, it would be like trying to run you car uphill at high speed, in overdrive, towing a boat. you would have less rpm, but it would actually be working the engine harder by not allowing it to turn enough rpm to make the needed hp. The most common cause of detonation and tuliped valves on I/O engine is overproping, it can burn pistons on OB's

are you running a Mirage, or Mirage plus?

joe7670 · #10 11-24-2009, 11:35 PM

As far as I know it's a plain Mirage. Not Plus but will verify tomorrow.

But sounds like the 17P would make the situtation worse? Am I understaing it correctly?