85 Amberjack 255 re-power & Modifications

Finally getting the prop dialed in and with EricW's help im pretty close. Found a local place thats been letting me try some demo props and tried the 21 pitch mirage Plus this past weekend. Im definately a believer in SS props now. WOW .... what a difference!!

Took a trip out to belly button beach this weekend to hook up with my nephew and his new to him 92 290 sundancer. I put the prop on there and then enjoyed the afternoon.

We actually stayed a bit later than i wanted to and it was getting close to dark and tried to talk my better half into spending the night but she wouldnt bite. So we packed up quick and hauled out of there so quick i completely forgot i changed the prop.

After getting on plane and cruising at my normal 4000 rpm's, sandy asked how the prop felt. At that point (after remembering the new prop) I looked down and was cruising at 35 mph (almost 10 mph faster than with the aluminum prop). I was amazed and then realised how easy it came up on plane as well. I then backed off on the rpms and could cruise at 24ish mph at 3200 rpms. Any lower and the nose started to come up. Couldnt even hold plane at 3400 before.

After getting closer to the marina and in calmer water i tried the WOT test. looks like this 21P mirage Plus got me to 4500 WOT and a top speed of 39.5 MPH. A touch low on rpm's I guess so i plan on trying the 19 pitch next weekend. Unfortunately they dont have any 4 blade props to try. I'd really like to see the difference in performance with the 4 blade.

Im also interested in trying the SOLAS SS props in 3 & 4 blade but unfortunately they dont carry those. After looking at the solas site, they have a wider diameter and a good selection of props for heavy high horsepower boats. Anyone ever compareone of the solas props to a mirage plus??

Finally got a few pics this weekend to post..........

002.jpg



006.jpg



005.jpg



003.jpg



004.jpg



001.jpg
 
Last edited:
Rick, you have got a lovely classic!!!

I always liked the amberjack and the hard top fits perfectly :smt038
 
Thats great news, Rick. I'm sure it felt great having that new 496 pushing like it should. A drop down to a big diameter SS 19" pitch might help out a bit more. A 4 blade 19 or 20 pitch SS might work a bit better too. I think any prop gains from here will be pretty small, compared to the big jump you just got from the 21 Mirage.

BTW --- I cruised down to Riverside on my PWC last week. I saw your boat in a lift slip there. That is one nice 255 Amberjack. You just don't see many of those, and yours looks really nice. From what I can see, you made a great choice to invest in repowering.
 
Thanks for the compliments. I still have some cosmetic work i want to do eventually.

I plan on re-doing the dash and guages and i want to add a merc monitor to keep better track of the engine parameters and fuel burn.
 
Very nice boat. Glad your getting it dialed in.
 
You're lucky to have a prop shop that will let you experiment!

She's looking good. Did you get the alignment figured out?

Now why won't she stay the night on the hook???
 
Still havent gotten the alignment problem fixed yet.

I tried cranking the adjusting bolts down more but that actually made it worse.

Im pulling the boat out soon and will pull the drive off and attempt to get it aligned better. Might need to go with the shim kit Ive read about.
 
:smt038i just love the looks of this boat ! no way would you guess it to be an "85" AWESOME-!!

steven
 
rusobr2 said:
:smt038i just love the looks of this boat ! no way would you guess it to be an "85" AWESOME-!!

steven
Click to expand...

True - you've done a lot in just a little time Cage Rattler. How's the Magma working out?
 
KRB64 said:
True - you've done a lot in just a little time Cage Rattler. How's the Magma working out?
Click to expand...

The Magma is a decent grill but it does have hot and cold spots. Just have to keep rotating the meat. I keep the temp down low so that may add to the uneven cooking.
 
KRB64 said:
True - you've done a lot in just a little time Cage Rattler. How's the Magma working out?
Click to expand...

The Magma is a decent grill but it does have hot and cold spots. Just have to keep rotating the meat. I keep the temp down low so that may add to the uneven cooking.

Ive only used it a few times so it may get better with age but it does the job so far.
 
Took awhile but I finally gave the 19 pitch Mirage Plus prop a few runs and it fits my needs perfectly. WOT rpm's were right at 4800 and im getting a top speed of 43 MPH. It's better out of the hole, allows me to cruise at lower rpm's and gave about 3 more mph than the 21 pitch so im very happy with the results.

They didnt have any new 19P's but they had a used one and thats what I demo'ed. I went down today to let them know i was happy with this prop and was able to get it for $250. Much better than the $660 price they wanted for the new ones.
 
Rick, that's great. 43 mph! Talk about a big improvement from where you started. A whole lot faster than the old 350, too.
 
It also makes me wonder what kind of improvement I would have had with the 350 magnum if I had went to a ss prop.
 
I'm headed out in a week to buy an 84' 255 AJ. CR, that's a great looking boat you have there. Great job on the motor swap! Did you ever get that shim kit?

I can't wait to post my own pics of my AJ.
 
I havent tried the shim kit. I may try that this spring if nothing else works.
I never even pulled the boat once its original launch so nothing was done this season except put ALOT of hours on her fishing for rockfish all over the bay between pooles island and poplar island.

With this cold snap coming in, Im debating on pulling her now or try for a few more weeks of fishing. The fall run is just starting to get good!
 
CAGE RATTLER said:
I havent tried the shim kit. I may try that this spring if nothing else works.
I never even pulled the boat once its original launch so nothing was done this season except put ALOT of hours on her fishing for rockfish all over the bay between pooles island and poplar island.

With this cold snap coming in, Im debating on pulling her now or try for a few more weeks of fishing. The fall run is just starting to get good!
Click to expand...
Stretch out the season as long as you can, the winter will be long...I think time slows down once the boat is winterized...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,357
Members
61,130
Latest member
VaBreeze
Back
Top