Hey everyone I was hoping some of you might be able to help me. I have new 2005 Triton 186 with a 150 merc XR6 with a tempest plus. I'd have to check the pitch. Seems the boat will at most hit about 5100rpm and is rated for I believe 5600 rpm.

1st... Should I be running at a higher rpm range?

2nd... It seems that as I approach 57mph the boat seems to want to walk. My first guess was it was trimmed to high but if I trim it to where it walks it

still gains speed. I was told to trimm it up until you loose speed but that doesn't happen for me.

Most importantly is there anything I can to about the walking. I've heard a jackplate can make a large difference and sometimes a prop can help. Also a few people have told me adding a hydrofoil can help. Weight in the boat is pretty balanced by myself, gear, and dad. any input would be great.

Thanks,

bassdocktor

i would think that boat came with a jack plate but if not that would help because you can raise and lower engine for best performance....when i first got mine it walked bad over 60....i lower my engine about an inch and it helped alot....also youve got to make the boat react to you at higher speeds in other words i am slightly steering in one direction or the other at higher speeds if i keep the steering in a nuetral position it will walk... this is just what helps me but im no expert im sure there are others guys with some good ideas

Yeah actually when we bought the boat the factory reps (they were that a a show) told us that a jackplate really wasn't necessary for that particular boat. It is our first real boat so we listened to them. So no it doesn't have one on it. Yeah I'll have to try that with the steering.

thanks,

bassdocktor

Sounds like you got two problems...

 1. Tempest three blades out of the box are notorious for biting and then letting off which of course starts your chime walkin when your about to come up on the pad.

 2.  Your over propped or you would be in that 5.4k range. Unless your not broke in. Or overloaded, which has everything to do with a jack plate and nothing to do with chime walk

Check your prop blades, buy a manual plate and set it at 5" above transome and load balance your boat...your boat ought to be in that 62mph  with little or no chime..on pad at 5.4k or its not setup.

Lastly it will take sometime behind the wheel to get the feel... Earl didnt build no lead sled! and you aint going to drive high performance with no stik time. Raise your trim as you get comfortable. Even with hydraulic steering ( which you cant feel torque) you'll learn .

   Borrow someones 4 blade trophy in a 23 pitch, if its been beat or bent it aint worth borrowing. Last but not least the PROP SHOP in Huntsville Alabama is the best in the USA. DEL's the man

 

What it boils down to, check your setup, make sure there's no play in the steering wheel etc.   The deeper the motor is in the water the more it's subject to walk.  Three blade props tend to walk more that four.  

Now with all that said, if you want to go fast, you've got to trim up.  If you trim up it's gonna walk.   Now the bad news, to stop the walk, you've gotta learn to drive the boat.  You have to make corrections before it starts to walk, once it starts, it's only gonna get worse, and dangerous.  If you know someone that has one and knows how to drive it, get them to drive yours and give you some driving lessons.  That will greatly reduce the learning curve.

Here is an excellent article on curing chinewalk probs:

Clicky

I personally don't think YOU should have to do anything !! Take it back to the dealer and have them fix it !! I have a new bass boat too with the same engine and prop, my boat is 18'5". I can run it wide open @5200-5300 rpm's @ about 62 MPH for as long as I want and yes, EVEN IN A STRAIGHT LINE !............................. Take it back !.... Good luck !

I'm gonna take crap for posting this, but here goes.

I get tired of people telling others that if there boat chinewalks that "They can just drive through it"!  BS, That's a great way to get yourself killed.  If your boat chinewalks, there is a problem somewhere.  Normally the engine is too low, but there are other reasons for it. Props make a difference also. No bass boat should chinewalk if it's set up right.

AMEN TO THAT !

bassdocktor,

I have a TR-186 with a 150 Johnson, 3-blade raker(not sure what pitch), and no jack plate.

My boat tops out at 64mph and around 5200 rpm.

Thats with my wife, son and myself, all of our gear and a full tank.

No walking.

I'm not sure whats causing your problem, but I would definately be talking to the dealer I bought it from.

I bought mine from Nichols Marine in Tulsa Ok and they have been great.

I haven't had any problems with the Triton, but the boat I traded in on the Triton was another story.