Any shorties results
 

I know a few months ago tehre was alot of activity with people myself included looking to try shorties well I have not done it yet but I was wondering who had and what were the results

Re: Any shorties results
 

I went 1" shorter on a 2000 36 Outlaw and had to go to five blade props to get on plane. I made so many changes all at once that I feel I went backwards.This fall I am going to put in spacers and go back to 4 blade props because I should be going faster than the 85 I am running now.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I've had solid gains going with -2 lower on my '99 35 Fountain - moved from a 28P B1 to a 30P B1 & gained 3-4 MPH on the top end. I'm happy with the results.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I was lucky enough to borrow a set
of 2" shorties from a guy I know.

The end results, prop shafts 1" below the bottom
of the boat, drives on stelling boxes,
even with 5 blade maximus's..... couldn't get the thing on plane.

Re: Any shorties results
 

Here's something I have heard from a few people who have tuned Baja's. They have said to actually stick the drive in deeper so as to gain more leverage and get bow lift for more speed. Baja's are not fast when they run flat like alot of other boats. They need lots of bow lift for top speeds. I will post my results next spring after I play around with things again.

Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

On the Bullet ?

Re: Any shorties results
 

What engines are in your boat?

Re: Any shorties results
 

lots to be had with a cat- On my 25' Daytona the Bravo was kissing the rub rail.

I went with a 2" shorty and ended up using a 1/2" spacer for the sweetspot. Went from a labbed 28 to a labbed 30 and picked up 11 mph from 88.4 to 99.0, best of many runs, both setups :D

Re: Any shorties results
 

Been trying to find out if anyone has tried them on a 35 cigarette cafe.

Re: Any shorties results
 

On my last boat, a 98 Fountain 29 Fever, I experienced about a 3 mph gain and significantly better handling by going to an Imco -2. Moved up from a 28P to a 30P Bravo. Took some finesse getting her on a plane, but she ran flat and level even with positive trim.

I have heard that others with newer Fountains have not had the same positive experience that I had since Fountain raised the X-dimensions of all sport boats sometime between 2000 - 2002.

Re: Any shorties results
 

There is a 288 Sunsation in the clasifieds that has a 1" shorty. I've sent a meassage to buddy twice asking about the change, but have yet to hear back. I am concidering one too. But need some possitive experience with one on my hull before I buy.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I was going to put a 2 inch shortie on my 272 baja but chose to install a stellings ext box instead in the 1 inch raised position. Results so far are as follows: Boat lost a solid 2.5 mph,porpoises between 2800-4000rpm's unless your digging the tabs in,won't carry bow in rough water,cavitates when you hit 3000 rpm's taking off,rides no better under any conditions,cavitates in rough water unless you constantly are adjusting and re-adjusting trim position. I am glad I did not buy a shortie also. I am going to try adding a 1"drive spacer soon and if it still sucks in general will be coming back off in the fall.The other Smitty is exactly right,these non stepped hull Bajas need to carry the bow,Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

yes
either that or sell it and join the Gun boys
lol

Re: Any shorties results
 

klaw
Pm monstaa on the board. He had a bullet that they raised the x up 2 or 3 inches.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I picked up 2-3 mph it seems. Only had it out 3 times so far in 90+ degree temps but it has run best ever speed. It won't stay on plane below 3000 rpm and trim has lost leverage. Luckily Black Thunders have lots of natural bow lift.

Re: Any shorties results
 

Sounds like you could possibly fine tune it now with a set of 1/2 inch or 1 inch drive spacers or 5 blade props unless you don't mind the staying on plane issue and there are no other side effects,Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

Ian,I know its a 43 ft bt,but do you ever get into rough water where you have to run on plane real slow,my boat was miserable at boyne thunder when I was trying to do exactly that around 2800-3200 (along with all the other negative side effects) so I am installing a 1" drive spacer,Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

Same here, not sure what to try or if it's worth it. Bob told me that my boat was set up for Mirage Plus props and I can probably raise the drive 1 1/2" which is where he set up all the Bravo 1 boats.

When I got the B-Max shorties were an option. Maybe next year but for now I'm just enjoying the boat. :cool:

Re: Any shorties results
 

Yes Smitty there are times like when my parents are on the boat. I'll have to ask Throttle Up if I can try a pair of 5 blades. It's strange that the shorty hurt your performance so much. Sell it and the box and you can do more to your engine. :D

Re: Any shorties results
 

Oops, my bad I forgot you used the adjustable extension box.

Re: Any shorties results
 

Yes,its hard to believe that only 1 inch of x-dimension difference could screw my boat up so bad,Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

Steve Enmons {spl?} did it on his Bullet and helped alot...Bullets are set real deep {At least mine was}. I was going to try it but I was afraid i would lose some rough water handling....Just throw more engine at it.... :D

Re: Any shorties results
 

you should not lose any rough water handling capabilities - if anything it should run/fly flatter and smoother - at least that is what I experienced on my Fountain.

Re: Any shorties results
 

If you can turn a three blade, I would say a one inch shorty with four or five blades would beinifit you!

I can't turn a three blade, I keep blowing out trying to get on plane. Thats why I am leary to fork out the cash to buy one only to find the same result I have with a three blade.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I kept thinking...props out of the water more often = less speed & handling....I may have been wrong tho... :D
I did want to try a pair, just wasnt willing to drop the $ without
knowing....

Re: Any shorties results
 

dirtlawyer-

They worked for you because fountains rely more on transom lift for speed. Most other boats rely on bow lift for speed.

Smitty

Re: Any shorties results
 

I've never tested a three blade. I'm only going by the measurements I gave to Bob. He said those measurements were what he used on his Mirage Plus boats. Plus, I've never seen a 36 Apache with shorties or extension boxes for that matter, so no real world experience for me to draw from.

BMax wants me to stick my head over the back of the boat at WOT :eek: to see where the water is hiting the cavitation plate. They said if the water comes over top of the plate I can use a shorty, if it's under the plate I can't. :confused: I've been too chicken chit to hang off the back of the boat at WOT to see. :chick: I need one of those clamp-on cameras cause I ain't doin it... :o

Re: Any shorties results
 

There are a lot of bottom variables (hook, rocker, flat) that effect the testing. My experience is that if you can get on plane with a 3-blade prop you can pick up top end MPH with a raised "X" ... and a 4-5 blade prop. The significant benefit of an Imco or Merc "shorty" is it they are an inexpensive way to raise the "X" vs. a total re-rig.
The increased speed is really due to the development and understanding that the 4-5 blade prop allowed the use of an elevated "x" (less gear case drag not to the marketing hipe :cool: )
The efficiency (more MPH) of the Imco or Merc lower unit may come into play at higher speed if your V-hull boat can exceed 90-95 MPH. The improved hydrodynamics's of the "shorty's may add addition top end results beyond an raised "X" at these speeds.

Re: Any shorties results
 

When we got our 36, the drives were so high we could barely run it! B1tch to get on plane and if we came out of the water when running, the props wouldn't grab agian, had to come off plane and start again. We bought one inch spacers and she is perfect now. We were told our pache ran 90 in Lake X . We now run mid eighty's . I am scepticle about it running 90, we weren't there to see it.

Re: Any shorties results
 

I hope to get out on sat to try my 2'' shortie 24 ol 650hp been waiting for some missing steering parts last 4 weeks so the old steering is back in for now. I'll post sat night

Re: Any shorties results
 

Not sure how this relates to other Cigs,; but Tres Martin told me to add a 1" spacer to my std bravo XR drives for more speed and better handling. I plan to do that this winter. With Tres' experience w/ Cig's, I am confident he is correct.
He also said too many MFG's have "raise the X" or "put speedmasters on it" mentality w/o research on their specific boat to back that thought pattern up. Thus they are actually sacrificing speed.

Re: Any shorties results
 

Looks like the step made a difference! :cool:

Last year I was seeing mid 80's with 700 hp blower motors. Now with gear ratio change I'm low low 80's. Oh well..... :rolleyes: Bravo Shop thinks I have 5-7 mph if my boat can use a shorty but I don't have the time or the patience to test.

Looks like your drive height is pretty ideal now, you probably couldn't raise it unless you used a 5 blade. that's my guess.