Finally Finished Boat!! E-Tec and Nightfishing Gear

[Nautilus]

This has been like extreme boat make-over trying to get it ready for going after the world record blue cat on Texoma. I still have some thru-hull Xenon underwater lights and a T-top but its coming along nicely.

[Nitroman77]

VERY NIE PIMP MY BOAT HAHA. LOVE THE DECALS! Where did you get those? Ive heard great things from the E-tecs. My gramps has a 90 E and loves it that thing is a beast in the power range.

[Nautilus]

Thanks Skeet,

Got the decals from PLAT, some from ebay. The E-Tec ROCKS!! I love it and you can barely even tell its running when trolling, no more yelling to talk. I don't even have the right prop yet, I'm not running over 4800RPM but it hauls *** regardless. With 3 people, 80 gallons of gas, full bait tank, and all the gear, it still runs about 50 MPH.....only to get better with the right prop.

If you like the Megabass decals.....you should see my truck!

[Boonethelunkerlander]

lets see it , now just what kind of megabass lures do you use for catfish

[Nautilus]

I don't use the lures much.....just the rods and reels. I do, however, striper fish at the same time and LOVE the Pop-Max. I almost forget they make lures.....to me, they are a rod company.

What, you've never caught a big cat on a buzz bait? I thought I had a world record bass when I was 15 just to reel in a 30# blue!

[Boonethelunkerlander]

lol, do you use the rods and reels to catfish with????

[Nautilus]

Of course!! You would be amazed at how well you can feel a catfish "mouthe" some punchbait with a very sensitive rod. Also, split handle rods are a must-have for distance casting.....for me anyways.

What I need is a high-end glass rod for livebait fishing......the cast action rods beet the crap out of the bait when the boat rocks......any suggestions?

Also, I'm not a very good fisherman so I need to be able to enjoy the gear if I don't catch anything! With the gear I use, I have a blast just casting and retrieving......catching fish is just a bonus!

[JIP]

Nice! I want an ETEC next time I repower. Seasicknes just got an ETEC.
No breakin requires and stuff. How many MPG are you getting on that motor of yours?

[Nautilus]

Don't know yet....I've just got to my second tank of gas and out of the automatic break-in. Never had a nice motor before.....what's the easiest way to measure mileage?

[seasicknes]

I am running a 14 1/2 X 17 prop (renegade offshore 4 blade stainless).
225 hp e-tec on a hydrasports 2250 vector walkaround.
5500 rpms trimmed out with full tank of gas (100 gallons with 2 guys and gear).
Evinrude says that on a 200/225/250 hp (90 degree) that the range should be from 4500 to 5800. You need to be near or at 5500 rpms with full tank of gas with two guys on board.

If you run a 3 blade, you will probably turn right about 5700 rpm or so.
Your able to spin a 3 blade easier than a 4 blade so you get a little more rpm's from it.

E-tecs are very punchy. If you don't hold on, you will likely fall into the water.

Also I am using XD100 oil.

More info: http://www.dealtackler.com/T3Forum/viewtopic.php?t=8973

Ken (170 montauk / 22 hydrasports vector wa)

[Nautilus]

Thanks Seasickness...NICE BOAT!!

I am running a 3 blade prop though....its a 21 pitch. I need to go down to a 19 or 17 probably. Which should I try first?

[seasicknes]

Give the 17" pitch a try. That should get you really close to the max range for the motor.
Your top speed may be the same or decrease a little, however you will get more low end punch and better economy.

Here are some links for you to see: http://www.e-tecinfonet.org/id3.html

Ken (170 montauk / 22 hydrasports vector wa)

[seasicknes]

See if your dealer can loan you a prop.
Try out a 17" pitch and a 19" pitch if you can.

The 17" pitch will probably put you up near the top end of the rpm range while the 19" pitch will probably get you near the middle or lower side of the range range.

The ideal situation is to get near the top of the range. You have to outfit your boat like your going fishing so a full load of fuel, two guys on board.
Your 200hp e-tec max rpm should be 5800 rpms.
So lets say you put on a 17" pitch prop. You want to get her all trimmed out and she should be at 5500 rpm or so. Reason for that is because once you burn off some gas the rpm's will slightly go up.

you don't want to run your motor if the prop is wrong because you will lug (to much pitch) the motor and then you will have problems at a later date.
Also if you over spin (to little pitch), then will have problems with the motor blowing up. We all don't want any problems with our boats or motors ! Even though its covered under warrenty, it still keeps us off the water.

Your probably be interested in a 3 blade. You get better economy and also better all around performance.


Ken (170 montauk / 22 hydrasports vector wa)

[Nautilus]

Thanks Seasickness,

I'll try a 17 pitch first and let you know how does. Do you have your motor linked to your GPS with technical readout and such??

[seasicknes]

My e-tec is not linked to my gps in any way.
My gps (garmin) is a fishfinder and gps/chartplotter.
My radar (raytheon) is a gps/chartplotter .

Its a big lake out there (lake pacific ocean)
This way, I won't get lost


Ken (170 montauk / 22 hydrasports vector wa)