winter
Active member
Today I finally got to the lake after another $10k in mods to the Persuader since November 
Finally, all the elements are in place to go bigger on the motor (instead of going big on motor and breaking everything else). I installed an Imco 2" shorty lower, 23p Rev 4 prop, Lenco race tabs, drive shower, upgraded ignition system and some fresh paint. Right off the bat i learned that I have some, well, learnin' to do. The tabs work well but trying to find the sweet spot in relation to the drive angle was interesting. Bascially the tabs are needed from start to maybe 40mph then they come up as well as the drive and all is good to 70. The shorty didn't seem to make too much of a difference in speed as the addition of the tab drag slightly scrubbed whatever gain I got from the lower unit. What I didn't quite figure out yet is how best to deal with the slight amount of prop cavitation at certain speeds and trim. It wasn't bothersome but there were times where i had trouble getting it to bite. Application of the throttle usually ended the slipping. The only cool thing was the rooster tail when it was slipping 
Interestingly, at 55+mph there was no slip when skipping over boat wakes. I thought for sure that it would cavitate then.
Long story short, I need more time in the boat with different loads and conditions. The ingredients are there for more horsepower now and I'm sure I'll become more acquainted with time. But for anyone looking for more speed by upgrading the lower unit and prop by itself may be disappointed, depending on the application. But it sure looks cool!!
Next up this winter, get rid of the pink striping in the upholstery and put some more snot in the motor!
Finally, all the elements are in place to go bigger on the motor (instead of going big on motor and breaking everything else). I installed an Imco 2" shorty lower, 23p Rev 4 prop, Lenco race tabs, drive shower, upgraded ignition system and some fresh paint. Right off the bat i learned that I have some, well, learnin' to do. The tabs work well but trying to find the sweet spot in relation to the drive angle was interesting. Bascially the tabs are needed from start to maybe 40mph then they come up as well as the drive and all is good to 70. The shorty didn't seem to make too much of a difference in speed as the addition of the tab drag slightly scrubbed whatever gain I got from the lower unit. What I didn't quite figure out yet is how best to deal with the slight amount of prop cavitation at certain speeds and trim. It wasn't bothersome but there were times where i had trouble getting it to bite. Application of the throttle usually ended the slipping. The only cool thing was the rooster tail when it was slipping Interestingly, at 55+mph there was no slip when skipping over boat wakes. I thought for sure that it would cavitate then.Long story short, I need more time in the boat with different loads and conditions. The ingredients are there for more horsepower now and I'm sure I'll become more acquainted with time. But for anyone looking for more speed by upgrading the lower unit and prop by itself may be disappointed, depending on the application. But it sure looks cool!!
Next up this winter, get rid of the pink striping in the upholstery and put some more snot in the motor!
. Good writeup, thanks for sharing!