apache 3a vs 5

[DrGaryDC]

Does anyone have experience what i can expect when i switch out my 3's to 5's on my 41' apache. (ie. handling, speed), I probably would need spacers. thanks
Dr. G

[DAREDEVIL]

In the class u gonna race it u need acceleration.....leave the 3 A's on it !!!!!!

Leave the boat the way it is and run it first before u whant to change things...just a little tip.

[MILD THUNDER]

Wouldnt running spacers on the V's kinda defeat the purpose of running V's over 3A's??

[MikeyFIN]

Yep---can´t argue with that.
In the US allabout acceleration.

Learn the ropes with the boat first, get a feel for it and after that make changes one at a time and keep a record of every test.
It´s a slow progress but better that way so you do not end up with a 93mph boat going 78 soon and forgot the notes and changes made while going downhill.

And that goes for everything from camshaft timing to ignition timing and the drives.

You got the speed already dialed in close enough do not mess with it too much and jump with your both feet in.

[DrGaryDC]

Makes sense, thanks for the great advise. I would cry if i my boat started out at 93 and soon went to 78, ugh.
Dr. G

[Chris]

Depends on present X dimension. My guess is the transom was cut many years ago to an X that was friendly to the prop selection of the day. So a higher drive height might help. The 5 has the setback box which compensates some for it's shorter height, but not all. My guess is that with the 5's in the 3 holes you're still going to be a bit high. But you can shim down. You can't shim up. With the 5's you'll have the latitude to tune exactly into the sweet spot of speed vs. loss of handling from being too high. With that and a modern set of CNC props, I'd guess there's some substantial gains to be had.

[Roger 1]

Maybe this picture will shed a little light on the subject....

[Ratickle]

I currently have 3A's on the Black Thunder, so I am also very interested in this question.

My thought is that 5's give you a lot more latitude, (similar to 6's), with spacers etc and dialing the boat in would be a lot more exact. With 3's or 3A's you're stuck.....

[Magnum Mark]

Maybe this picture will shed a little light on the subject....

remember this boat weighs maybe 6500 lbs.[no fuel].built to run with 1000 kilo[2200lbs] counterweight in the front....carry on..

p.s..too bad lake X is closed..being that you have merc power the boat would be welcomed.......i was....cya..

[Ratickle]

Has no one out there actually done this conversion? It seems to be easy and make sense......

What about the guys at Cigarette, Apache, Fountain, etc??????

[Birdog]

Has no one out there actually done this conversion? It seems to be easy and make sense......

What about the guys at Cigarette, Apache, Fountain, etc??????

All of the 90mph Top Guns had Vs {Staggered boats}.....Diff boat, same era...There must have been a reason

I would check with Tres Martin also....He knows his way around setting up Vs
I bet you will need boxes...

[DrGaryDC]

Just by visual, do they look high or low? We have not measured them yet

[Magnum Mark]

Just by visual, do they look high or low? We have not measured them yet

take a look!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!sent you a better 1..too large to post .....

[Magnum Mark]

i did !!!!!!

that you did......i was there with minn gary.......randy says 8 mph with 5s...

[DrGaryDC]

8 mph increase, we would be looking at just over 100mph, wow

[Magnum Mark]

8 mph increase, we would be looking at just over 100mph, wow

in a 26 year old boat that was built to run 80......be careful..

[Magnum Mark]

8 mph increase, we would be looking at just over 100mph, wow

did you get my e mail? post pic if you would...

[DrGaryDC]

Yeah, if anyone has, would like to know before i make the investment.

[Ratickle]

Yeah, if anyone has, would like to know before i make the investment.

I think it's time for the Serious Team to do some Serious inquiries around the boating world.....

[DrGaryDC]

Sounds like a plan, buddy