Work has been killing my daytime activities, but one problem I've been chasing down in the night hours is the poor shifting. I've checked the ball/detent under the cap and it was well greased with no obvious excessive wear. I replaced the lower shift cable without much improvement, so know I'm replacing the upper shift cable but have zero idea of what to get and where. Suggestions?

I hope to be out on the water soon with a lot of improvements over the winter.

Last nite pulled gps 66 at 5000 272 outlaw stock 502 mag oe 23 3 blade light chop light load aired out
laser straight bottom , no hook does like to porpose here and there but seems to ride better than last islander i ran

Are you comparing a 272 Islander to a 272 closed bow? No such animal as a 272 outlaw.

The 272 Islander has a completely different COG than the closed bow version. The helm is forward on the islander and the bow is considerably heavier. 66 is a good number for stock power and stock M+ 23. You turned that number in an islander? Even better if so.

Yeah I doubt that's off an islander.

97 272 outlaw . Its been a few years since the islander went away but that one was 98 454mpi with the toilet in front of port helm and locker in front driver between helm and open bow area. That one pulled down high 50's to right at 60 on real good day and just didnt feel as planted as this one even though about same size.
never ran the islander with a full 8 or 10 people it was capable of carrying either .

I'm not thread jacking, just asking a question. This thread has been a good read this morning. BajaRooster, I'm pulling for ya man!

Anyway, what is prop slip and how do you calculate it? I have a lot to learn in the speed department. I'm a complete noob at trying to go fast, and thought we were going faster than we have been going til I finally hooked up the GPS. I don't know why I hooked it up, I was happy before now.

That's funny - GPS can be a real downer!

http://www.mercuryracing.com/prop-slip-calculator/

Thread jack all you want. It's all good info. It looks like I may be back on the water in the next week or two and can finally see what it's all about.

http://www.mercuryracing.com/prop-slip-calculator/ There you go Chase, plug your numbers in and see what ya got.

AJ, we need a picture of this "272 Outlaw" as it is the only one in existence. 272 (and like numbered boats) are from the Performance Series. Integrated swim decks and rounded lines.

The Outlaw is the squared transom, bolt on aluminum tube swim deck, classic "off shore" lines including flat decks with hard corners. Two completely different models.

If my numbers are right, I have a 24% slip. Remember I said I have a lot to learn... My Wife's old boss took the boat out and "said" he hit 73 on GPS. I only managed 62. Outlaw 23, 496 mag (non HO) Bravo 1 with 4 blade 26p prop. I also have the factory 24p 4 blade that came with the boat, and its gets out of the hole a lot better but I can tach it out. Weight doesn't seem to matter once I get on plane. It rides and goes the same with 4-5 adults and coolers as it does 2 adults and a small cooler. When I start trimming up, once I get about 1/2 trim or above on the gauge, the ride starts to suffer. I've never noticed any difference with the tabs. So am I retarded, is he a liar, or do I just not know how to drive? I'm not too proud to admit that last fact. I jumped into the boat world head first when I met my wife, and have been learning as much as I can by reading fine threads like these.

Don't be afraid to use the tabs. We have very different set ups and your mileage may vary but....running the tabs at neutral (level with the bottom) will help the boat thru chine walk and porpoising. This will also be the fastest trim setting but heres the difference. On my 272 the drive is very deep. I'm running a heavily worked M+ 3 blade prop. One of the many things it does way better than stock is to "carry the bow" meaning much less wetted surface. Having the tabs set to neutral or even a touch positive acts to raise the stern of the boat as well for even less surface tension and faster numbers.

Your drive may not be as deep and the four blade prop is lifting the stern of your boat already (vs 3 blade) so this scenario may not apply to your set up. I just throw it out as an example to get your wheels turning, so to speak.

3 blade prop will be fastest. Don't be afraid to add some tab, I know it goes against "normal" thinking..dragging anything slows you down....in this case not so much, buddy. Good luck and sorry for the jack. BTW 24% slip is way to high. Mine slips around 10% WFO.