Question for JW

[Drex]

JW,

I have been a boater all my life and I have always owned Checkmates. In the
past I wasn't really concerned with speed. I just wanted a dependable,
comfortable, sharp boat. I am now starting to become more interested in
speed and was hoping you could give me some tips and advice on how to set up
my boat to get more speed without sacrificing dependability. I currently
have a 2001 Pulse 185 with a 2001 XR6 Mercury 150. Everything is exactly the
way it was when they set it up at the factory. I have not changed anything.
I am running a 23-pitch Laser II prop that has been cupped and it will run
55 mph at around 5200 rpm’s. It seems like I should be able to turn more rpm
’s but no matter how I trim it that seems to be the max. I know from past
posts on this board that you used to own a Pulse with an XR6. Was it a Pulse
185 or 186? What kind of top end were you achieving? What modifications did
you make? I have the opportunity to trade my XR6 on a brand new 1998 175 EFI
Mercury but I still have almost 2 years remaining on the warrantee and don’t
like the idea of paying extra for an older motor. I know a jack plate would
give me more top end but then it voids my Checkmate warrantee, which has
almost 5 years remaining. Any tips or advise you can give me would be
greatly appreciated, also if anyone else has some insight I would love to
hear it.

Thanks

 

[Drex]

JW,

I have been a boater all my life and I have always owned Checkmates. In the
past I wasn't really concerned with speed. I just wanted a dependable,
comfortable, sharp boat. I am now starting to become more interested in
speed and was hoping you could give me some tips and advice on how to set up
my boat to get more speed without sacrificing dependability. I currently
have a 2001 Pulse 185 with a 2001 XR6 Mercury 150. Everything is exactly the
way it was when they set it up at the factory. I have not changed anything.
I am running a 23-pitch Laser II prop that has been cupped and it will run
55 mph at around 5200 rpm’s. It seems like I should be able to turn more rpm
’s but no matter how I trim it that seems to be the max. I know from past
posts on this board that you used to own a Pulse with an XR6. Was it a Pulse
185 or 186? What kind of top end were you achieving? What modifications did
you make? I have the opportunity to trade my XR6 on a brand new 1998 175 EFI
Mercury but I still have almost 2 years remaining on the warrantee and don’t
like the idea of paying extra for an older motor. I know a jack plate would
give me more top end but then it voids my Checkmate warrantee, which has
almost 5 years remaining. Any tips or advise you can give me would be
greatly appreciated, also if anyone else has some insight I would love to
hear it.

Thanks

 

[JW]

Hope I can help some DREX.

I had the smaller Pulse, the 171. Closed bow 17'. My XR6 was an older one, 1992, and back then the XR6 meant that it was a 2.5 liter 150 (like yours) but also that it had the 1.78:1 gear ratio small diameter gear case (unlike yours). With the combination of a 6" jack plate, the smaller lower unit, the smaller boat, and the ability to spin a 26" Laser II prop, I could easily hit 70+ mph when the temps were cool.

Your boat is a MUCH better all-around use boat because of it's size. Unfortunately, it's also as heavy as my 21 foot Pulsare boat was. You actually need more power than is on the capacity plate if you want to get into the mid-70's or above. Of course the bad news is you can get into serious trouble if you're involved in an accident with a hull that is powered higher than the USCG plate allows.

IF you really want more speed out of what you've got, you can send your motor to a couple places that can turn it into a 225+ with many $$$$$. But there goes the warranty. It will be reliable if you keep the rpms down. Cost-wise, you're better off selling the XR6 and buying a used 225-280 horse motor, but then the possible trouble.......

What to do??? How about keeping the 185 for family use, and put a 4-stroke 115-130 on the back. Then, take the XR6 and find yourself a SMALL Checkmate, and go out and have a nice SCARY ride.

OR, you could get yourself a NEW unmodified 23" Laser II, add 14" of setback, install an exhaust tuner from a 200 hp motor, fiber reeds, and see how she runs. There goes the warranty, but I'll bet you gain several miles per hour.

You just don't have the 'right' boat to go fast legally. You have a great faster family boat, but not a screamer. Maybe sell it and get a Pulsare with 300 PM? You might actually come out cheaper trading up to a Pulsare/300 than spending money on your current set up, and you'll be legal.

Checkmates owned: 1995 Pulsare 2100BR/1995 Mercury Promax 225 2.5 EFI. 1995 Persuader 183/4.3 LX V6. 1992 Pulse 171/1992 Mercury XR6 150 hp 2.5 liter.