New to site, looking for info!!

[starflitejim]

Just bought a 92 starflite w/ 200 merc efi,
has a 25p mirage prop

What should I be looking at for performance,
what should my next move be for better performance!

:cheers

 

[175checkmate]

Welcome to the board and congrats on the new boat. I am sure there will be someone along to give a good answer.

 

[Mark]

It's a pretty simple formula. 12" jackplate, 25" Trophy (I prefer the PowerTech TRO4), propshaft 2-3" below the Vee. The 2.5L Mercs on a Satrflite like the small hub props. Spools up quicker out of the hole. It's good for 70 MPH on a good day.
The Starflite rides bow heavy and there is really nothing you can tweak until you get a jackplate. I would not even bother trying different props until you get a plate. I personally think a manual plate is fine. Set it and forget it. You do need to make sure your transom is up to the task of 12" of setback, it is a lot of added stress.

 

[starflitejim]

It's a pretty simple formula. 12" jackplate, 25" Trophy (I prefer the PowerTech TRO4), propshaft 2-3" below the Vee. The 2.5L Mercs on a Satrflite like the small hub props. Spools up quicker out of the hole. It's good for 70 MPH on a good day.
The Starflite rides bow heavy and there is really nothing you can tweak until you get a jackplate. I would not even bother trying different props until you get a plate. I personally think a manual plate is fine. Set it and forget it. You do need to make sure your transom is up to the task of 12" of setback, it is a lot of added stress.

Where should I start to look for these items and how should I test for that kind of stress.

 

[Mark]

Bassboatcentral has a section for jackplates for sale. So does Screamandfly. Almost always 12" manual plates for sale as guys upgrade to hydraulic.
As far as your transom; get your head under the splashwell and take a good look. Everything look solid and dry? Any signs of where water may have crept in? Do the mounting bolts make depressions in the fiberglass that might indicate the wood is soft underneath? Any cracks in the splashwell? Anything brownish stuff seeping out of any bolt holes? Do all the bolts and eyebolts look well sealed? Stand on the motor any signs of the transom flexing...you get the idea.

 

[merc245]

First of all, How much u give, weres the pictures and where abouts u from. I've Been running a 92 starflite with 245hp for 13 yrs now.Its got all the toys on it so I just might know a thing or two.

On a good day and an empty tank high 60's would be my guess

If things are tight $$ wise a good place to find what u need is over at www.screamandfly.com I pick up a few things this past winter and never was dissappointed.U have to check daily because the good buys go fast.

What u can do now and is free is check to see if your floation foam up in bow behind the bulkhead is wet.Chances are its holding apx. 100 lbs of water.Theres been 4 or 5 starflites mine included that suffered this proplem.Take a drill and drill a hole in to the lower area of the BULKHEAD and let it set to see if any water runs out.

A jackplate would be most cost effective be hydraulic or manual to increase your speed. I perfer the versatility of hydraulic.When I installed another 12" of set back between the plate and transom it didn't increase my speed a whole lot.But the extra leverage allows me to carry another 2 or more people into the 70's.

If you add all that set back then theres other things to consider.

like steering cables long enough - Dual I hope

solid motor mounts

wheel mounted trim switch

Kill switch

props

relief the exhaust

then theres the h2o pressure proplem

I even run a foot throttle (i love it)

With all that setback I would remove the mota take boat to a steel fabacator and have a plate made as wide as possiable that runs up, over and down the splash well lip then have it powdercoated. I sure wish I did that 5 or 6 yrs ago before I started having my proplems.

My best advice would be enjoy what u have and make as dependable as possiable.learn to enjoy it every weekend not just when its running right. (Am I showing my age yet).Put your money in a killer stero system. You'll be happier

Best of luck merc245

http://www.kodakgallery.com/starflite/main?year=2005&month=7&