IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Does anyone know any factual results of how the IMCO 2" shorty lower performs on the Baja Shooter hull. My current propshaft centerline with the standard XR lower is approximately 7-1/2" below the keel.

How about experience with the IMCO shorty and the Mercury Maximus paired together?

I HAVE to buy a new lower quickly and need some advice. I know that the standard XR gets me 80-83 depending on load and water conditions but I think that the 2" shorter lower may help even more. The problem is, I don't have the $$$ or time to make a mistake.

I also don't want to lose the great handling characteristics I have had with the standard XR. The boat is a '94 and I have been running a Bravo 1 26" Lab finished four blade prop.

HELP???

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

This isn't a "exact" comparison but should help your decision. My understanding is a baja shooter has a almost identical hull to a 272 boss. My 2000 272 runs 89.5 w/ 3/4 tk gas,4 people and a cooler,runs almost 93 mph lightly loaded in perfect conditions. My propshaft C/L to hull was also approx 7.5". I have been using a standard length drive w/well blended hydromotive nose cone. I recently added a stellings 12" setback ext box and raised drive 1". Boat was MISERABLE,lost 2-3 mph at WFO unless VERY lightly loaded,porpoised,cavitated when it hit 2800-3200,would not carry bow well,plowed through waves bouncing all over instead of going acrossed them normal etc. I added a 1" spacer which puts prop C/L back to stock and it now rides like it used to or slightly better. Willy at CMI headers also tried a 2" shortie on a 1996 272 w/850 hp blower motor,he told me it had all the same problems as mine plus had a hard time getting on plane. I'm not real sure how much different your shooter actually is from a 272 but my understanding is the bottom half of the hull is the same but I may be mistaken. I wouldn't waste your money but if you do and it suxs you can install a 2" spacer for 750$ and return it to stock dimension. I was convinced that at 7 1/2 inches you could easily raise x dimension 2-3 inches and it would still drive good as you see all the performance boats with 3-5 "prop C/L but it didn't work on mine.
On the positive side,I have a spare std length drive without a nose cone,when I have ran it my boat goes a solid 4.5 to 5 mph SLOWER (from 89.5-89.7 to 84.5-85) so you might see a big gain from a nose cone or a drive with similar bullet as one,Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

A maximus might make night and day difference too with a higher X as I only tried my 30 and 32 pitch labbed props but I didn't bother as my boat tq steers terrible when I tried a non-labbed 32 merc so I figured a 5 blade would only stern lift and tq worse,Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

DrNautica,

I would think that with your propshaft centerline sitting 7.5" below the boat that a -2" IMCO shorty would definately help,----BUT it can be one heck of an expensive experiment and that is especially true if the shorty doesn't work like you have expected it to work..i.e. needing different props, spacers, nose cones, etc. You may find yourself wondering; "What if...." and then the next thing you know you will find yourself spending THOU$AND$.

The only way you're really going to know is; buy em'... try em' and cross your fingers!

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

I took a stock height 36 Outlaw which had no issues getting on plane and prop slip was O.K., then I went with 1" shorter lowers from Imco. With the same props I was barely able to get on plane and my slip factor doubled and I lost about 5-6 mph on top. So I called Brett at BBlades and we went with the Maximus props. I still have some excessive slip when getting on plane, but once she's up my slip drops into the 11-16% range which is great and i got my MPH back, but I had hoped for alot more. This winter I will go back to stock length lowers and start over.

As a side note: Thru my research I have found that some baja's actually like the drive to be lower so that they can get more leverage to get more bow lift to gain speed. That is what my boat ultimately needs.

Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

It's hard to believe 1" could screw a stock height Baja up so bad but your experience is identical to mine,it is a fact that these Baja's NEED bow lift.The fact we both have torquey blower motors probably amplifys the problems too and from the speeds Dr Nautica is talking I'm going to assume he has a big inch motor or blower motor too,the "other" Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Has anyone ever tried a standard length sportmaster lower?

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Thanks a lot for the quick replies guys. You definitely have me rethinking the IMCO lower unit.

By the way, I'm running a custom built 540 CI naturally aspirated engine thru 1.5:1 ratio and turning that at 5750-5800 RPM with the labbed 26" Bravo 1.

Any other sugestions? The Sportmaster could be a possibility in standard length as Marginmn mentioned. Has anyone tried it in a similar setup?

BTW, the reason I HAVE to get a new drive is due to interfacing with a submerged UFO (unidentified floating object.) Gotta get back onto the water for Labor Day!

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

I know when it too high for the max'es to work.

My prop shfts are 3" below the bottom,(I also have boxes )with the maximus'es, I can still make them blow out
coming on to plane, but once up, they hook up
excellent. ( I'm in the same slip range as what Smitty's getting)

I recently borrowed a set of 2" shorties from a friend,
I couldn't get it on plane :( Prop shaft's at 1" below bottom)

I would think with your current x dimension, that
a shorty and a max would work good, but I'll echo
KAAMA's statements on this.

The only thing negative I've heard about the sportmasters
is that they have a rather large skeg, which can knock off
a couple of mph.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Adding a 3" raised Imco extension box (taking my propshaft to hull dimension up from 7 1/2" to 4 1/2") has turned my 25 Outlaw into a fast 25 footer. No vices, no problem getting on plane and great rough water handling. I wouldn´t go back for anything!
HP525EFi/XR 1:5, labbed Bravo 28"
81.2 mph GPS@ 5300.

The Outlaw hull is different from the Shooter/272 hull as it has a larger pad and a 4" notched transom.
I tried a standard 26" Maximus and it sucked. I´m looking to get a labbed 15 x 26". That should work good.....

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

DrN., I am going to try the IMCO 2" Shortie this week. I have a different situation, Laveycraft cat bow rider, Crockett 935 Hp Whipple. My current set up is Max Machine 1:34 upper and standard IMCO lower.

I hope my 32 BBlades B1 will work ok. I currently get on plane with almost no cavatation (I suppose the extra 500 lbs of bow stuff rolls the boat over as well), acceleration is terrific. Chris Camire at Laveycraft says they are currently putting 2" Shorties on their cat as standard unless requested otherwise.

The reason that I'm trying this is that the boat will reach 100 mph quickly but hits a wall and then needs too much time to get to top speed. I'm inpatient and hope this will help solve that dilema without breaking anything. I'm reminded once again why I don't have twins.

Good luck. I keep you posted. Quent

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Everybody keep this thought in mind--

More blades may fix the slip problem, but when you add blades to a prop you also increase stern lift. Baja's need to BOW lift to get to the higher speeds. Just something to think about.

I am going to lower my drive this winter and go back to 4 blade props and work on getting bow lift so I can get to 90 mph.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Thats why after getting cavitation,slip and porpising from raising my drive 1" I bought a drive spacer instead of a 5 blade,my boat didn't work well with just the 1 inch up,wildcards outlaw is the only one I have heard that does work and he went 3 inches up.The hulls must be very different between a 272 and 25 outlaw. He's also running into the 80's with a 540hp merc525,my boat needed 700 hp to get there,Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Artic,

I'll second the 700 HP to get into the 80's with the 272 / Shooter hull.

As of now, I'm looking at the Merc Sportmaster standard length lower and staying with the 4 blade. I know the standard length stock XR worked well as did my previous Bravo 1 outdrive with a hydromotive nose cone. Actually, when I went to the XR drive sans cone, I scrubbed about 2-3 MPH. :eek:

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Hey Guys

Don't feel bad. I have 1500 hp and I am only in the mid 80's

I should be 90 or better, I just am happy to be on the water this summer. I will get it dialed in for next year over the winter.

Smitty

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Smitty are you looking to sell the 1 inch lowers you have. I am thinking of putting a set on my 30. I know of someone with a 30 with a 1 inch raised x and gets better top end. So im thinking a 1" lower would be perfect for me.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Well, I ordered the Mercury Racing Sportmaster standard length lower and a lab finished 28" Bravo I four blade this morning.

Wish me luck.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Good luck hope it all works out good :D

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Dave, I have a set of standard length sportmasters sitting up in Mike's storage unit. How much did they ding you for on the new one?

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Is there a big difference between the sportmaster and bravo lower units?

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

The Sportmasters are CNC machined with a slightly longer skeg and built-in nose cone and come in a bare aluminum satin finish - much like the IMCO's. They are available in standard length and 2" shorter versions and all come with the 1-1/4" diameter propshaft.

>>>>XR Sportmaster Drive<<<<

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Well, the shortie experiment went fairly well on my Laveycraft cat. 2" up yielded a terrible hole shot, decreased midrange and plus 5mph on top end. I've created a whole new set of circumstances just like everyone else.

Bret at BBlades is sending a Maximus and I have a 6 blade Herring coming as well. It is hard to have your cake and have it too. Stern lift comes with more blades as Smitty said. I don't need stern lift but Bret says the rake on the Maximus may be enough to overcome the extra blades. Its 50/50 in my mind that I'll go back to the standard lower, take the hole shot and midrange and give up the 5mph on top. Its more practical but I really hate getting passed. Quent

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Let me just say this...

Marginmn,

YOU ROCK!!! :evilb:

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

I have been thinking about trying a -2 shorty. I havent made up my mind for sure yet. Everytime I think I have decided to try it, something else tells me not to.
Anyway, what drive are you running? If you go back to the standard length, would you be selling the -2? I may be interested in it.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Checkmate, I have borrowed this 2" shortie in a potential trade. If I don't end up using it , I think its for sale. My drive is a Max Machine, 1:34 gear, IMCO shortie. It is frustrating, nothing new, to change one thing and have 3 or 4 more major adjustments to consider and make. The combinations seem endless plus the testing uses up money, quality boat time, and my motor and outdrive.

Junkies. All of us. Quent

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Quent,

I am definetly interested in the lower. While I cant use 1.34 gears, I can just put in a set of 1.50.. Keep me in mind if it doesnt work out for you.
You are right about one thing leading to another.. Thats why I just dont know if its worth the testing time on this one. My boat runs great like it is but as you said, we are never happy. Hopefully, my current prop a Hydromotive P-5X would be ok. The guys @ Checkmate told me it wouldnt work, but who the hell knows for sure.

Where are you located?

Vinny

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Checkmate,

To whom at Checkmate did you speak? Try contacting Harold Kunkle at Kunkle's Marine in Ohio. Harold knows how to make a Checkmate go fast... like over 100MPH fast.

I ran him (or vice versa) a couple of years ago and whatever he was running made my 80+ look like I was traversing a no wake zone. I believe he was in a blue 25 Convincor.

***Note to self*** You know it's not going to be pretty when the guys that pull up next to you are wearing Type III vests with collars and helmets.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

I spoke to Mike Koombs at Checkmate.
You are right about Kunkels, they are a good source of information on Checkmates. I just didnt think of asking him. I have spoken to him before about a handling issue I had. I led me in the right direction for the fix.

Jason Kunkel is running a big powered Checkmate. I have heard it runs in the 110 mph range.

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Jason wasn't driving that day. "Mr." Kunkle was behind the wheel. Smiling a lot too.

...and, the 110 mark is about right for that little blue bas&*$d...

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Additional saga. I borrowed a Hering 32 6 blade from Eric at EB Marine in Nashville for my shortie experiment. Thanks, Eric. I could only turn it 4650 with 1:34 gears, 104 mph GPS. I did the numbers 3 times and that is almost 0 slip. The B1 had 11%. That is 850 rpm short of my rev limiter but it absolutely came on plane without any ventilation and had great midrange unlike the 32 B1. The B1 bumped the limiter just a little at 108. My feeling, subject to change at any moment, is that the shortie is good for my cat.

Obviously, I need the right prop. I'm going to call Bret at BBlades Monday to see if one of his Maximus Labs in a 30 pitch might get me on the right track. If I don't kill my motor and drive in all this testing, this might be real interesting. It seems at this point that the shortie is the right lower, now for the elusive prop. Quent

Re: IMCO Shorty and Maximus Question
 

Installed the Merc Sportmaster on Saturday.

Prop arrived today.

Test run to commence next Friday!