• Welcome to the Checkmate Community Forums forums.

    You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions, articles and access to our other FREE features.
    By joining our free community you will be able to:

    » Interact with over 10,000 Checkmate Fanatics from around the world!
    » Post topics and messages
    » Post and view photos
    » Communicate privately with other members
    » Access our extensive gallery of old Checkmate brochures located in our Media Gallery
    » Browse the various pictures in our Checkmate photo gallery

    Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact support by clicking here or by using the"contact us" link at the bottom of the page.

Repowering 1988 Starflite

J

jeffyham

New member
I am considering repowering my 1988 Starflite. The boat see's about 10 hours of use a year for the past 15 years and is in great shape.

It currently has a 1988 Merc 200 Black Max on it on a CMC hydraulic jack plate with about 5.5 in setback. It has a Bobs Machine Shop nosecone. It runs a 25p Trophy Plus currently and gets a whopping 62 mph. I can't get more out of it regardless of the many different props or engine height I try. 62 has always been the max.

Although a 300 hp would be cool. The lake nazi's would probably come down on me hard for having an engine 50hp over rated capacity. Could always do the decal route but then you have the insurance thing so I will stick with a 250.

The questions are:
1. 250XS or 250 Pro XS?
2. Shaft length is supposed to be what?
3. Lower unit torque master or sport master?
4. Gear ratio 1.62, 1.75, or higher?
5. With the right combination above, what do I then run for a prop (I have a 29" double cupped, 3 blade, blue printed Spinelli I'd love to use again....)?
6. Set back same as now (5.5 in) or go to 10"?

As the dealers here don't do this every day, I figured this forum would be the place to get excellent guidance. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
jeffyham said:
I am considering repowering my 1988 Starflite. The boat see's about 10 hours of use a year for the past 15 years and is in great shape.

It currently has a 1988 Merc 200 Black Max on it on a CMC hydraulic jack plate with about 5.5 in setback. It has a Bobs Machine Shop nosecone. It runs a 25p Trophy Plus currently and gets a whopping 62 mph. I can't get more out of it regardless of the many different props or engine height I try. 62 has always been the max.

Although a 300 hp would be cool. The lake nazi's would probably come down on me hard for having an engine 50hp over rated capacity. Could always do the decal route but then you have the insurance thing so I will stick with a 250.

The questions are:
1. 250XS or 250 Pro XS?
2. Shaft length is supposed to be what?
3. Lower unit torque master or sport master?
4. Gear ratio 1.62, 1.75, or higher?
5. With the right combination above, what do I then run for a prop (I have a 29" double cupped, 3 blade, blue printed Spinelli I'd love to use again....)?
6. Set back same as now (5.5 in) or go to 10"?

As the dealers here don't do this every day, I figured this forum would be the place to get excellent guidance. Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...

1. Go big or go home! You can call the factory and they will send you a 300HP plate. My 85 Starflite is rated for 300HP.
2. 20" shaft
3. With a 250 a torquemaster will do.
4. If you go with 1.75's you may be able to run your 29P Spinelli. More than likely you will need to run a pitch or two lower.
5. See post 4
6. I'd go with a nice 10" jackplate or more. How good is your transom? You may want to reinforce it to hold the extra weight of the 3.0 Merc. The "knees" are only bonded to the floor and not the hull. They offer little to no support for the transom.

Welcome to the club! I'm sure you will love the torque of the 3.0 over the old Black Max. I love mine!!
 
The 200 is in great shape. I have decided to keep it for now as I have put too much money (carb overhaul, electrical system replacement, and new lower unit) in it in the past two years to let it go.
 
I replaced the 5.5 inch CMC with a 10 inch CMC high speed transom jack. The lower unit that I had locked up on me (too bad as it was a 1987 reworked lower unit with a Bob's nose cone, etc). I put a 1:1.87 lower unit on it with no nose cone and can now run 66 mph with a full tank and me in the boat. this is with a 25 inch trophy + at 5700 rpm.
 
Nice. We have pretty much the exact same boat. And look to be doing the exact same thing in repowering. Only difference is, my engine is for sale...
 
I just put I've 7k into this boat and as such, a new engine will have to wait. Putting a 250 XS on this old girl will cost me about a grand for every 1 mile an hour I gain assuming I hit 80. As I only currently use the boat a week a year I Shall wait. But , ohhh don't I want to.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top