Engine height for V bottom
Many years ago I set up a small tunnel hull with a 75 hp Johnson and the rule of thumb was to raise the prop shaft 1" above the bottom of the boat. This worked well and I won a few races. I'm now building a small V bottom to sport around in the river. Since no experience with V bottom set up, my question is how high or low should the prop shaft be in relation to the bottom of the boat for a V bottom set up? This boat is a shallower V design and the same 75 Johnson will be the power but included will be a 6" set back due to a trim/tilt bracket being installed. My goal is to be quick down the river but still maintain some turn without blowing out the prop. Comments on prop pitch selection are also welcome. Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks Anthony
Most "RULES of THUMBS" Are Gone
In the old days, we didn't have bottom water pick up nose cones, we didn't have transom jacks, we didn't have power trim and we had three blade propellers. Now there are more prop combinations than I can keep up with, three, four and five blades. I guess if there IS a "Rule of THUMB", it would be try something (Document it), try something else. The, try something else! Ask questions on BRF!
I know many a Vee Bottom running the prop shaft 2" above the bottom on a three cylinder motor.
ADD: Tunnel run the prop shaft 3 inches up into the tunnels on some boats!
With Stock Water Pick Ups
Hey Chairman, what transom height do you run on a GT PROP Vee Bottom with stock water ick ups?