Does anyone have experience what i can expect when i switch out my 3's to 5's on my 41' apache. (ie. handling, speed), I probably would need spacers. thanks
Dr. G
Yep---can´t argue with that.
In the US allabout acceleration.
Learn the ropes with the boat first, get a feel for it and after that make changes one at a time and keep a record of every test.
It´s a slow progress but better that way so you do not end up with a 93mph boat going 78 soon and forgot the notes and changes made while going downhill.
And that goes for everything from camshaft timing to ignition timing and the drives.
You got the speed already dialed in close enough do not mess with it too much and jump with your both feet in.
Depends on present X dimension. My guess is the transom was cut many years ago to an X that was friendly to the prop selection of the day. So a higher drive height might help. The 5 has the setback box which compensates some for it's shorter height, but not all. My guess is that with the 5's in the 3 holes you're still going to be a bit high. But you can shim down. You can't shim up. With the 5's you'll have the latitude to tune exactly into the sweet spot of speed vs. loss of handling from being too high. With that and a modern set of CNC props, I'd guess there's some substantial gains to be had.
I currently have 3A's on the Black Thunder, so I am also very interested in this question.
My thought is that 5's give you a lot more latitude, (similar to 6's), with spacers etc and dialing the boat in would be a lot more exact. With 3's or 3A's you're stuck.....
Hey Scott, i do appreciate the information. I do have a pair of 5's that i can try (no money needed) but i believe from what i was told wrong gear ratio. Anyway, yes, the boat runs good as is, with the merc 800's. Makes sense
Dr. G
There's nothing to lose on this one. The straight-bottom 41 likes the extension box- note the White Lightning 41. And being able to adjust X while experimenting with props? The absolute worst thing that could happen is you end up in the same place you started. Which is unlikely.
There's nothing to lose on this one. The straight-bottom 41 likes the extension box- note the White Lightning 41. And being able to adjust X while experimenting with props? The absolute worst thing that could happen is you end up in the same place you started. Which is unlikely.
Hey guys, i appreciate everyones input here. As this is a new boat to me, I am not new to offshore powerboats. I grew up on powerboats on the jersey shore and followed apba and npba back in the day. I have driven all types of incredible boats from 27 magnum sports, 12 meter fountains, 40' skaters (141mph) 39' Mti (130mph). I try to be a perfectionist. I want to set this boat up perfectly, whatever perfect is. It will be driven as well as a trailer queen. No beat up, unmaintained, grease bucket here, haha