Hello Wave to WaveI have the L2 with 1.86 gears, with the raker 24 I was able to maintain 72mph with 7 gallons of gas, my son 160 lbs. and myself 190 lbs.) needed a lot of trim ( I don't have a jackplate), waiting for the Mercury Fury to start trying again, changed my mind and going also 24 pitch but 14" diameter rather than 14.5 of the raker, need a better hole shot very difficult to ski with the Raker.
With the trim very high it tends to chine walk and have to be very concentrated while driving, but getting better at it putting more than an hour per week at high speeds.
Also thinking about an Allison Foil or an Allison Skid Planer, any comments about that?
Thank You
Interesting, that's good. When the boat is out of the water, run your hand front to back on the pad, see if you notice a little lip, a slight rise in the surface at the back. If you do, that's good, that's a lip from the factory.
In general, it shouldn't need much trim. Try running less trim and slowly adjusting as you go faster. Is your steering nice and tight? Not wiggle back and forth?
It's very normal to take a while to learn to drive an Allison, sounds like you are doing well, and on your way. Solid motor mounts will help keep it steady, could machine some, if possible.
You should be able to run that gearcase pretty high, ideal is 1/4" below the pad. Could ask an Evinrude expert about enlarging the water inlets or adding two below the nose.
Try any prop you can, the Raker tends to be heavy on pitch, 24" acts like a 25 or 26". For skiing, any 4 or 5 blade low pitch should be good. I think you could run a 26" Trophy as an all around prop, a 28 Promax or ET as a top speed prop. Best setback with that engine is probably about 8" to 10".
Skid planer is great. I know it's tough getting stuff down there, sounds like you're doing great so far. Hope that's helpful.
