1850 Sportfish Speed

[lawmanjoe]

I have a 2004 1850 Crestliner Sportfish with a Yamaha 115 four stroke. Prop is a 12 5/8 x 21 alum. Have bow mount Minnkota trolling 24 volt, two batteries in the front. Other misc. equipement, nothing substancial. Top GPS speed ever of 37.5 mph, but can't seem to do that again. I can usualy do between 33 and 34 mph. Wondering if others with an 1850 Sprotfish would respond with their motortype, prop and speed. Thanks!

[klbowe]

I went to Mercury Marines prop selector program and they recommend a 19 pitch prop for that boat and estimate a top speed of 42 MPH.

You mentioned that the boat has reached higher speeds. This makes me wonder if you have your motor trimmed correctly when you are checking the speed. If it is too low your speed will be low because the boat is plowing water.

Load the boat with the average running weight, (fuel passengers seated in the seats normally used, etc) then at wide open throttle slowly raise the motor until the front end starts to porpose then slightly lower the motor until the bounce is gone and the steering is a bit looser. The RPMS should be in the upper range recommended by the mfg. probably 5500 to 6000.

You may find that the prop you are running does not give you the correct RPMS.

Also make sure that the motor is mounted at the correct height. If it is too low it will slow you down. Don't assume the dealer mounted the motor correctly.

[Starman]

Lawmanjoe,
I'm running a 03' 1850 Sportfish w/ Yam 115 4 stroke. The dealer set it up with a Hustler 13.25 x 17". Top speed was 39 mph with two guys and gear. The rpm's were running high at 6+ grand with it trimmed. Called Turning Point Props. who make the Hustlers and they referred me to Phil's Prop Shop in Ill. who designed the props. The great guy I talked with said there is a new design that allows you to go up in pitch 2" without loosing the hole shot. I got a new 13.25 x 19" Hustler, but haven't had the time to get out and check out the difference yet. Hoping to run closer to 45 mph but we'll have to see.
Starman

[18 inch Crappie]

I have a question for all you guys who talk about top speed on here. Are you fishing or racing? And can you troll 1-3 mph with a motor that moves your boat at 45 mph?
Every one is like go with the biggest motor you can get on your boat.

I just bought a new 17 foot fishing boat, every one said go big,so I did. Ya it is nice to go 45 mph. But I do not fish that fast. Try to troll cranks at 4mph. I wish I would have went smaller on the motor so I could use the $20,000 I spent to fish. Anyone out there feel the same?

[klbowe]

This post is written by a new member looking for information on increasing his top speed.

We need not start a debate here on what size motor is appropriate for fishing.

Most everyone makes their own decision on what size motor meets their needs.

Some people fish out of a BIG BASS BOAT and tow it with a big old evil SUV. Some choose a canoe and throw it on top of their electric car. That is their choice.

[This message has been edited by klbowe (edited 09-14-2004).]

[Biggestfish]

Lawnman, how do you like your 1850 Sportfish? I just signed the papers on a 04 1750 Sportfish, I thought about the 1850, but just thought it to be a touch to big for me. I hope to enjoy mine for many years to come. I went with the 115 Mecury EFI 4 stroke, and if you guys are getting around 40mph out of the 1850s with a 115, I should be happy with my speed.

Thanks and Good luck.

------------------
Just Having Fun!
Love to Fish.

[Schwanny]

18 inch crappie, I own a 1750 fishhawk w/115 yamaha 4 sroke and I can troll down to .6 to .8 mph. Perfect for those walleyes. I installed a troll-a-matic trolling plate which is spring loaded. Just 4 bolts and you are done. There is no cable to install to lift up or lower the plate. The thrust of the motor takes care of this. The only thing you lose some controll in reverse. I think these are rated to 150hp. If you have any questions about this just ask.

[18 inch Crappie]

Lawmanjoe, Sorry to get all over your post, I just needed to vent for a while. I just bought a new 17 with a 115 johnson 4 stroke with a 14" 21p the boat does 44mph on gps and I can not get to troll below 3-4 mph. And the back of the boat sits so low because of the motor that I can not back troll. I looked at wave wackers, and them plates and even a drift sock. You just spend all that money and your not very happy with some things on the boat. But what are you going to do? Next time I will know. And if you do use it for a tube or ski the bigger motor is nice,did not think of that. That brings up another question, Do any of you have a 4 stroke motor? They are about 80lbs more then a 2 stroke. That extra weight does set the back of the boat down more, does this cause any problems for you?

[marknamy]

Biggestfish,
I have an 04 1750 Sportfish and love it.
The only problems I have had with my Sportfish is the rod lockers. They are on the small side and not real easy to get in and out of. Other than that I have been extremely happy.
The ride is great, I've had it on Lake of the Woods all summer and had no problem taking 3-4footers.
We also spent a family weekend boating and skiing, tubing. Real nice to be able to put 6 people in it (comfortably) and go for a evening cruise.
I have a 140 4-stroke Suziki and that is a great motor. I don't think you can go wrong with a Yamaha either. I would however suggest looking into getting closer to maxing out the HP. I have never heard someone say they wish they would have bought a smaller motor. Helps resale also.
Just my opinions and hope you're happy with whatever it is you buy.

[Northlander]

18" Crappie you should either drop a drift sock or put your kicker down, if you have one, or drop your bowmount down. If you want real slow use your bowmount if thats too slow try the other 2 options. I have a 115 yamaha on a 17' explorer and can get down around 1.8 on calm days and usually around 2 no problem. By dropping the drift sock out front I can really creap along.
Hope this helps ya out.

[This message has been edited by Northlander (edited 09-15-2004).]

[lawmanjoe]

Starman, Thank you. Please let me know how that new prop performs. I found a boattest with the 1850 and f115, that measured at 41.5 mph, but that was with a stainless prop, 13.25 x 19"

Bigestfish, I love they boat. I was looking at the 1750 last summer when I bought mine, but then my wife told me to plan to have three kids in the boat. The surprise made me go for the 7 passenger. Of course, it won't fit through the 3rd garage door, so it's in the main stall. 1750 would have fit!

18 inch crappie, my x-mas list includes a trolling plate, it is hard to troll cranks. However, I fish the Croix, Minnetonka, and the big pond a lot, and a few tournaments now and then it would be nice not to have all the Rangers so far ahead of me. Plus, this is a fish/ski boat, who doesn't like to drive fast now and then!

Please keep up the posts on this topic. I have a buddy with 1850 sportfish who put a 175 merc on it, but is only getting 49 mph. The shops I've spoken to will say what speed it should get, but no promises of course. Hearing from people that have the same equipment seems for reliable to me.

[This message has been edited by lawmanjoe (edited 09-16-2004).]

[lawmanjoe]

Yes, I can spell. Just in a hurry. Sorry.

[BDR]

lawman- Welcome to fishing minnesota!

If you ever want to edit your post just click the edit icon just above the post.

------------------
Brian Rogers

Iceleaders
JR's Tackle
Catch-N Tackle and Bio-Bait

[email protected]

[lawmanjoe]

Starman-

Did you try the new prop yet? How did it work? I found out they have changed the design for 2005 and there are two 2004 versions with the same model number. The 2005 version has less cupping. Any idea what version you have? If I need to get the one that is more cupped I need to do it quick. Thanks, Joe