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Starflight Props

bandit01

Member
Hi everyone. I'm a new owner and member who bought a STOCK 1988 Starflight with a Carb'd 200 HP Merc Black Max from another member of this site. I read the discussions on performance props and am leaning towards buying a 25 pitch Tempest Plus for cruising. Most of the time I will have 4-6 people aboard. Has this prop worked well for those who have tried it? What kind of top speed are you guys seeing? Decent holeshot? Good midrange? Etc.? Anyone have one for sale? I am also considering a 26 pitch Tempest Plus, but I prefer the larger hub the 25 pitch offers. Any input here? What have you 26 pitch Tempest owners been experiencing? Top Speed? Prop blowout? Etc.? I have a 21 pitch aluminum prop I will use for tubing & skiing, which came with the boat. Anyone have a better prop for this application? Any & all prop suggestions will help. My email address is: bjdflyer@yahoo.com. Any input on this boat/motor combination is GREATLY APPRECIATED!! This is a GREAT WEBSITE!!! Bandit01
 
Hi everyone. I'm a new owner and member who bought a STOCK 1988 Starflight with a Carb'd 200 HP Merc Black Max from another member of this site. I read the discussions on performance props and am leaning towards buying a 25 pitch Tempest Plus for cruising. Most of the time I will have 4-6 people aboard. Has this prop worked well for those who have tried it? What kind of top speed are you guys seeing? Decent holeshot? Good midrange? Etc.? Anyone have one for sale? I am also considering a 26 pitch Tempest Plus, but I prefer the larger hub the 25 pitch offers. Any input here? What have you 26 pitch Tempest owners been experiencing? Top Speed? Prop blowout? Etc.? I have a 21 pitch aluminum prop I will use for tubing & skiing, which came with the boat. Anyone have a better prop for this application? Any & all prop suggestions will help. My email address is: bjdflyer@yahoo.com. Any input on this boat/motor combination is GREATLY APPRECIATED!! This is a GREAT WEBSITE!!! Bandit01
 
Hey jrumon, thanks for the response. Why do you suggest the 23P over the 25P? Better holeshot? I tried a 22P SS prop a friend borrowed me that made little difference over the 21P aluminum the boat came with. It was not a Tempest though... it was a Laser. The previous owner tried a 26P Tempest and said it was good for top end (mid 60s) but not for skiing, tubing, etc. I really didn't consider the 23P Tempest because I figured it would only be slightly better than the 22P Laser... which ran over 6,000 RPM @ 53 MPH speedo. I am hoping to find a prop that will put me in the mid 60's (at least) @ 6,000 RPM or slightly less. Previous owner reports mid 60's @ 5800 RPM with the 26P Tempest (2 people, full fuel). I saw that other people are trying the 25P, so I wanted some input. Do you know anyone who has a NEW or LIKE NEW 23P or 25P Tempest Plus for sale? Thanks, Bandit01
 
Hey Bandit01, I agree with JRUMON on the 23 Tempest. With the Starflite being a longdeck (closed bow) and all the weight aft in the boat you will be better out of the hole and midrange with the 23. Better yet, look for a 4 blade like a trophy or even a merc Hi-Five. The Hi-Five will give you great pulling power and keep you up on plane when the boat is loaded heavy.
 
Thanks Jupiter. What kind of performance can I expect (top speed) with a 23P Tempest or any of the other props you suggested? I want a good all around prop for mainly recreational use, but I still want good top speed too. I can't get beat by a similar sized Baja or Concord!!!! My buddy has a 21' Concord & if he smokes me I'll never hear the end of it.
 
bandit01...
Jup & I both left off a few important factors before we can nail down a prop choice!

#1. What year is your 200???
#2. What displacement...2.4L or 2.5L???
#3. What lower unit ratio...1.87 or 2.0???
#4. Any set-back or jack plate???
#5. Is the lower unit nose-coned or low-water pickup???
 
bandit,

I have a Starflite with a 2001 200hp carb'd Merc. My engine has no set-back & no jack plate. The boat had a 22p chopper prop on it > and it sucked.
After doing my own research on this website (a couple weeks ago) I just purchased a 23p Tempest prop on ebay for $259.00 and threw it on. HUGE difference getting out of the hole and my top end is higher as well. I think 23p will put you where you need to be. You don't want to go to high with the pitch - my RPMs are still where I need them to be.
goodsir1322@yahoo.com
http://www.geocities.com/goodsir1322/starfliteWEB.JPG
 
Thx for the input. I bought a 25P Tempest+ and will try it soon. My boat is stock w/ the 200 Carb Merc. I am actively seeking a 23P Tempest + as well. Know where I can find one? I've been watching ebay... Bandit
 
I'll keep an eye out. But, I'd keep checking ebay - Or possibly iboats.com (although I haven't looked for props there before). If you haven't been to that website, you'll find it's also a good resource.

What year is your Merc motor?
 
Thanks for the website. I'll look there next. My engine is a 1988 model. Unsure of it's displacement and gear ratio. I called a MERC dealer, gave them the serial # & they said they don't know either. How can that be in today's world? Maybe I should call another dealer!?!
 
YES... there's a few 23p ones on scream & fly
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Go to: www.screamandfly.com
look under section of "buy & sell"
look under "props"

You'll find several listed... OR, to save time, you can go to "search this forum" section and do keyword "tempest"...it will list them all...take your pick!
biggthumpup.gif
Jim.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jrumon:
YES... there's a few 23p ones on scream & fly
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</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I got a 23" Raker, at least I think that's what it is? It turned my 225 Johnson up to 6100 rpms. It's in great shape, no nicks or dings. Let me know if your interested $175 plus shipping.
 
Inxs...
Re-check your raker pitch... the 15 spline rakers come in EVEN pitches (20, 22, 24, 26). The Raker is an EXCELLENT prop!

For all you "I didn't know that's"... The OMC 15 spline props WILL WORK on a MERC, but the Merc's will NOT WORK on an OMC (merc prop hub splines are longer).
 
I happen to have a 25" tempest if anyone's looking for one. $250+shipping. also have a 23" trophy small hub. it works great on a stock 200 on 2100 pulsare! $300+shipping.
 
175Checkmate...
Your right... the only difference is the OMC splines are about an inch SHORTER (and YES, Merc splines can be cut to fit the OMC).
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