Hard time getting on plane - Z520

I have a 2010 Z520 with a Mercury 250 Pro XS running with a 27p Fury. I got the motor serviced recently and everything checks out fine.

From a stand still in the water, I can only get on plane if I gas it to 3500 RPM...anything over 3500 will cause the prop to spin out, anything under that and the bow won't go over. It takes a good 5-8 seconds to get the bow over and to get on plane. When it finally does get on plane, the prop will spin out for a quick second, then settle in and run like a dream.

This has been happening for about a year now, but I always keep forgetting to ask you guys about it.

You're over propped and your motor may be a hair too high. Go with a 25p, especially in this heat.

your motor is to high and your prop is a hair big for the high humidity. start by measuring the bottom of your pad to the center of your propshaft. It should be near 3 and 1/2 inches. I am guessing you have a manual jack plate. I would try a 25 or a 26 tempest plus

This has been happening for about a year, and 6 months ago I had everything serviced and the prop hub changed, and it's still doing it. So I don't think that's what it is

My Atlas jackplate and trim are all the way down as far as they go. Could I still be too high if I have a hydraulic plate?

You can't turn a 27p on that rig in this heat. Go down to a 25p.

this will fix you

I think that's what I'm going to do. I didn't know heat/humidity had that kind of an impact on props. To be honest, I don't really understand props all that well!

Not so much the prop as it is the engine losing horsepower due to high heat and humidity. I have to downsize props in the summer too, many do.

just borrow one and try it. I am close to dallas and you can try mine anytime. I run a 25 tempest plus

http://www.anglerworld.com/bassfish/bassboard/boats_motors/message.html?message_id=217518

Read this Jkrez and outdoor dude is correct but I didn't want to get into that. At 85% or higher humidity, your motor will not atomize fuel/air mixture as efficiently and you lose horsepower making it harder for your engine to turn that 27p.

Can yall recommend the optimal prop?

I'm having the same issue with my Skeeter, running a 27M, I have lost all kinds of hole-shot and speed just in the last few weeks, about to drop down to a 25T-1 for summertime......good times are back!

I would contact Steve's prop shop in Quitman(call him) or he hangs in the lower sections of the forum...
Boats and Motors and General Equipment...
He'll prolly get you to try a 25 Fury.

Try this:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Steves+pr...p;client=safari

I have a lighter boat but went through the same issues. I went to a 25P Fury and it planes out much better in the warmer conditions.

I just tried a 24 Fury on my 520c (same hull) and it did great!! Pulled hard and 58-5900 rpm.

Is it happening in winter, you mention in your post it's been going on for a year?

Get a 25 Fury.
Might need to adjust your jackplate some after you install the new prop. Try it out first.

I have Ben running Z520s since they where released and you have the wrong prop

Get a 25 pitch Fury

Bingo! Like said so many times above. Bet anything you will twist a 25 just fine. Loose a few miles an hour but it will run great. Get a 25" Fury or Tempest and leave it on year around.

I can tell you what Steve is going to say. Put a 25p Fury on it in the summer and if you want a 26P Tempest in the winter. That's what he told me and it was a winner on my Z520C.

get a smaller prop for the summertime

One of my buddies just went through the same thing, he put the rubber grommets back into his prop and problem solved. His problem was happening for over a year before he figured it out. good luck and nothing wrong with a smaller prop.

Yep 27 inches sounds like to much prop. I just read on the Skeeter FB page where some one backed down to a 24 inch prop and finally broke 70 mph after running a much larger prop. A bigger prop don't always translate into more speed. Sometimes it is RPM's that is needed. Someone mentioned less power right now and yes that is very true. Most outboards will make 20 to 30 % less power in these weather conditions with the air being much more dense than in the late fall, winter, and early spring months. In the winter when the air is drier and moves much more easily most motors will actually make more power than they are actually rated for......

I run a 27P FXP on my Cat when the water is 70 degrees and below, switch to a 26 over 70.

I can raise my plate up and get a decent holeshot in the summer, but going to the smaller prop is easier on the motor and also I am able to turn the proper RPMs.


My fishing partner has a 13' Z521 with a PRO XS 250 and it's loaded HEAVY. He just had his 25 Fury worked at Steve's and his boat has a ton more bow lift and actually will run a little for a big Ranger.

I ve got a 25 p fury on mine, and the trick I found is take off with my atlas jack plate high and as I start to plane I get it down to what ever I want either speed or just the ride, it works.