1989 24' Banana Boat

Air Dog · 01-08-2003, 12:37 PM

I got a 24 Banana with a single 1989 Mercury 200 hp on the back. The motor has got 230 hours since new and is all stock. No jack plate, stock lower unit and a 23 pitch (I think) stainless 3 blade prop.

Anybody got any idea how to make it go faster with a small budget .

My co-worker has a 22 Baja sport with a 1984 200 Mercury and his rig is 3 mph faster and he rubs it in my face.

I kick his ass in the waves, but I wanna get him when it's flat too.

Help...

tripps · 01-08-2003, 07:30 PM

Put a 300 on it and sell me your 200!!! i had one ,with the 200 went about 50,then i put on a v8 300 and went 63 good luck,a fun boat and loves rough water tripps

Audiofn · 01-08-2003, 11:29 PM

What is a small budget? You can always strap another 200 on the back and have a safty of twins

Jon

ASD-6 · 01-09-2003, 08:53 AM

A jack plate will give you the best bang for the buck. A nose cone wouldn't hurt either.

Air Dog · 01-09-2003, 10:31 AM

How much do you think I would gain with a Jack plate and a nose cone?

If I go with that which is the best, CMC, Gorilla, Land & Sea?

Is a used Jack plate okay or am I asking for trouble?

Thanks for the response.

ASD-6 · 01-09-2003, 10:59 AM

The only jack plates I've ever used are from Bob's Machine Shop. They work flawlessly. Used would be okay, just make sure to give it a good inspection.

I would GUESS both might give you between 2-5 mph???

Here's the link to Bob's.

Show us pics of your boat

. My buddy had a Bananna, it was bad ass....sold it before he had a chance to rig it

Air Dog · 01-09-2003, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the tip.

I called Bob's. They are gonna put a nose cone with low water pick up on my lower unit and fix my skeg at the same time.

Next is the jack plate.

What do you think, 6" or 10" of set-back?

Once I do all this, should I get a different prop?

Thanks...

Air Dog · 01-09-2003, 11:49 AM

Yea, I got a picture right here, just give me a minute to figure out my scanner.

Oh **** my boss is coming, I gotta go...

Air Dog · 01-09-2003, 12:22 PM

Here is an old photo. This was prior to the restoration.

ASD-6 · 01-09-2003, 01:27 PM

Nice looking boat!

I would go with 10" set back....but that's just me.

Might be worth while playing with a few props. If possible, borrow or test'em before shelling out the $$.

Sounds like a fun project.

This is my Rabco with a Bob's jack, nose cone and low water p/u. Although I prefer inboards and Arneson drives, this outboard boat is a scream.