Hey guys I have a 09 charger 496 with a 225 optimax. I always felt like it should run faster. I checked the height and it was 8 inches. I maxed out the adjustment on my jackplate and got it to 5 inches. I lost 5mph but have a better holeshot. Only getting 55 at 5 inches and throwing a huge rooster tail at 53-5400rpm. Runs 60ish at 8 inches at around 5100 rpm I know most run theirs at 3.75, but it seems like it wouldn’t be good for me to go higher. I’m also running a 25 pitch tempest which came on the boat when I got it. I didn’t want to have to buy a 24 but it seems like that’s what I’m going to have to do. Any other charger/champ owners have advice? Or any experts have any ideas.

Sounds like you have too much prop to me. Those RPM’s are way low if that is wide open. You could always call charger and see what they recommend on that boat.

Have called them more than once and plant manager couldn’t even give me a good answer. Also had a HUGE fiberglass issue that me and a few other owners had. He said run it, it’ll be fine. It in fact wasn’t fine and cost me 2k

I’m having a hard time believing that you are 5”-8” deep. Unless you had the lower unit replaced and they put on a 25” shaft instead of a 20”.

Unless I’m a complete idiot ( highly possible ). The photo diagram I went off of said measure pad to floor, prop to floor, then subtract the differences. Shop floor is level and boat and motor were level. But like I said good possibility I measured wrong, which is why I’ve always been hesitant to mess with it till now. I know old trucks not boats 😂

suggest you go find you a reputable boat dealer near you and ask if if they have someone knowledgeable who you can pay to run your boat and adjust the engine height and propeller size...or if you can find an experienced fisherman boater,most of them can run your boat and tell if you need to raise or lower the jackplate and a diffrent size prop...very hard to do without seeing the boats holeshot,mid range and max rpm....

Are you measuring from the center of the prop shaft to the floor?

Measuring to the center of the prop shaft?

I appreciate it guys, I’ll admit after looking at the diagram again, I did in fact measure it wrong. I’ve ran a 23 pitch before also and it wasn’t enough. Feel like I’ll have to go to a 24 and play with the plug system.

When you say the 23 wasn’t enough what do you mean? Hitting the limiter at wide open? You should be turning closer to 5700 at top end for the Optimax I believe.

I only ran it one day, I had borrowed while my prop was in the shop. It was worked for a 19ft stratos with a 150. I didn’t mess with the plug system. It did not hit the limiter, trimmed all the way up if i remember correctly it hit about 5400, was super duper slow though. Think the boat only ran around 50ish that day. I’m just at a loss honestly. I use service marine and they recommended a 24 or 25 and 5800 rpm. Everything has always checked out on the motor, but she’s at 591 hours.

depends on what prop you are running also, Tempest, Fury 3, Fury 4, Trophy, Bravo?

You may try to message TouchofClass in the bassboatcentral charger boats page. Has same boat and knowledgeble in chargers.

I have only ran a 23 tempest and a 25. Everything I’ve read and been told was fury was a no go for charger, mercury prop selector actually recommends a 24 pitch bravo.

+1

There are many variables that you need to factor into any boat setup. The way you have the weight distributed in your storage boxes can rob you of 5 mph if too much up front. Also that HUGE fiberglass issue you mentioned could contribute to your lack of performance. Did it affect the running surface on the bottom of the boat?

Charger is a well built boat but has never been known as a speed demon. A 25 pitch Tempest does sound like a pretty tall prop for your set up. A Tempest should work well on your boat as they have a lot of bow lift built in.