Vector/Merc 135 Setup

Hi again Randy,

I have a 1986 vector with a 94 135 Merc. 8 inch manual jackplate ,foot throttle, trim buttons on wheel, 28 mazco re3. After tweeking it all summer long using your advice & learning how to drive it, I finally reached 80 mph on gps, which I never thought possible with this size motor. My question is would it be worth it to remove the jackplate & re-tweek or should I just leave it alone? It seems to run & handle pretty well. It runs at about 6300 rpm. My only complaint is since I removed the hydrofoil it is a little sluggish planing, and swamps easier when coming off. The upside is that I went from a top speed of 76.9 to 80 mph without it. I don’t mind doing the work if it will yield better results. Also would you recommend using synthetic oil in this motor & how do you change it over.

Thanks for all your help. I have owned many performance boats before but none have given the thrills & chills like a hydrostream. Its an awesome machine. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it.   Thanks again

           Paul Troncone

Paul, 

Sounds like you have things very dialed in. We have the same problem with hydrofoils on our own boat, so we made our own plate that is mostly forward of the propeller. It doesn't hurt the top end like the rearward car plate models out there. If you want one, we sell them for $140.00, and they are made from stainless. The cost is up there, because I only make 10 at a time. Mainly machine shop cost. You can email me at our web site if you want info @ www.gpiracing.com. I know of no other plate that will not hurt your top end on the Vector. It's just a short boat that is extra sensitive. 

Please submit whatever questions you have to IHRTechTalk@yahoo.com.  All questions and answers selected will be displayed on this page as they come in.  Note: though all boaters are welcome, priority may be given to I.H.R. members.  Randy can not be held responsible for any advice given.  Though his information and expertise is second to none, he has no control over what you do with your boat.  It is up to you to boat safely and act responsibly, and his advice is only to be used as a guidance for your high performance boat/motor of which you are the one responsible for the risks involved.

Thanks,
Mark C.

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