sun tracker party barge owners question

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broken paddle
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:04 pm

sun tracker party barge owners question

#1 Post by broken paddle » Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:23 pm

if you have a 2018 sun tracker party barge 22 XP3 with a mercury 150 ELPT four stroke engine spining a mercury enertia 15.6 X 13 P rh prop, have you noticed any problems with cavitation ?
2018 sun tracker party barge 22 XP3
2018 Mercury 150 ELPT fourstroke
2018 tandem axle trailer with brakes
only option, is a billet ski pylon

Bamaman
Posts: 3679
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: NW Alabama--Tennessee River

Re: sun tracker party barge owners question

#2 Post by Bamaman » Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:17 pm

I have a Bennington, however I can address your question.

Ventilation will usually occur when your propeller is not deep enough in the water. That means the engine is sitting too high on the transom or when the engine trimmed too high. One other situation is when a bunch of people sit up front--lifting the rear end of your boat.

Sometimes ventilation is a matter of an inch or two. And if you are experiencing ventilation, it is really up to the selling dealer to get the engine height right.

Only when the engine setup is right can you tell whether you are propped right. Most boats like yours are seeing 38-40 mph and a maximum 5800-6000 rpms. You need to pay close attention as your 13 pitch prop sounds low and you may can rev up into the 6000's.. Most tritoons with Merc 150's use a 14 or 15 pitch Enertia propeller to get maximum efficiency.

My engine is sitting 1 notch or 3/4 inch off the transom. I am seeing 40 mph @ 6000 RPMs with a Reliance 15 pitch propeller on a Yamaha F150. (My gearing is slightly different than a Merc. 150 4S.). When I raise my trim high, I get a slight ventilation. I just hit my down trim button slightly and ventilation disappears--just like I like it.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

broken paddle
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:04 pm

Re: sun tracker party barge owners question

#3 Post by broken paddle » Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:09 pm

thanks Bamaman , i've got it down at the selling dealer (bass pro shops) right now. they are going to lake test it. right now I have to just about keep it trimmed to the transom. bow doesn't plow though so maybe just the way sun trackers are :donno
2018 sun tracker party barge 22 XP3
2018 Mercury 150 ELPT fourstroke
2018 tandem axle trailer with brakes
only option, is a billet ski pylon

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