Posts: 3482
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Short answer is maybe. With the lower unit so far in the water, you are definitely increasing the amount of drag, and it also can affect how much the boat sits in the water as well. With Deep V hulls, it may not be as noticeable as compared to boats with a literal pad they ride on (like a bass boat)
My experience with this was in my old 17 foot Alumacraft Navigator with a 90 hp motor on it. when I raised the motor, the whole boat would ride higher as I was able to turn more rpms. That had a tipping point, though, where going too high and the prop just could not hold the boat up because too much air was being introduced to the prop fins.
In your situation, and using the tempest propeller, you can definitely try moving the motor up. I'd say go all out and put it at the highest position. I'm anticipating you will see the bow stay down on holeshot (and holeshot will be faster), and you would have to trim down a touch for moderate turns, just to let the bow carve the turn more.
I would not be surprised you would see another 300 rpm or so, which will help the prop hold the bow up better as well. Many times, an over-pitched motor will porpoise as the rpms are not high enough to hold the bow up, so trimming down is what ends up happening, and the boat can be a bit sluggish because of it.
If the tempest blows out when you try to trim up, It may be an indicator of needing a 4 blade, or it may just be a matter of rearranging where things are in the boat (lighten the bow weight).
If for some reason you look to try a 4 blade, the Rev4 would be solid prop to try...it is essentially the 4-blade version of the tempest you have...but you would most likely want to come down in pitch by 2 inches as the extra blade increases surface area on the water...more surface area = slower.
The hull design of the Lund series should allow it to run high on the water with a hull style that is not quite a reverse chine (so to speak) on the outside edges of the hull (hull bends back toward the water)..this is a very stable ride as well as when fishing.
In the end...it's find the compromise... a motor height that gives you the top end you like, yet still have the handling capabilities you need in various conditions. The right combination will have the boat floating along at cruising speeds without too much effort in turns...
Steve
Edited by VMS 12/14/2023 1:00 PM
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