Loving all the video's MDJ! We run wedges on all our saltwater boats and makes a big difference. Gets you more water pressure so you can jack the motor up more running skinny and gets your speed up a bit.
MDJ making awesome upgrades to his battle ready vessel on the water and preparing and having a championship mindset for 2025 Let’s go sir! Tight lines take care and God bless.
Interesting about the wedges. One would think, you can just tilt up more underway, but then, after I had a repower done on my boat with a 2023 Merc 115, I found that, the motor only allows you to trim up so far after a certain speed, so I guess the wedges give you a bit more tilt up and help in that matter. I am betting that most of that gain is with the 4 blade prop though, as they do dig like crazy, if sized right, compared to a 3 blade.
We all want to know what bravo 1 - 4 blade pitch? All the 520R boats seem to have hole shot issues with the 23 fury 3 if they’re running lithiums and loaded full of tackle and fuel, my work around has been keeping it at half full of gas but that’s hard to do in a tournament!
Does this work for a smaller 18.9ft with a 175 merc? I have 200 lbs of stuff up front plus a fortrex and lithium batteries in the back. The boat flies with a 4 blade but I can feel it could go for another 10° of bow lift unless my livewells are full.
Why wedges to improve the motor angle when you have trim options and jack plates that can raise and lower as needed? Are the wedges just not giving you a little angle on the motor at launch ?
The wedges give you just a little more trim, which gives you more bow lift. Trim extenders do the same thing but haven't seen anyone use them in many years.
@@adeathman I guess that is what is confusing. The wedge puts the motor in the down position already with a little lift to it, correct ? It's not down 90 degrees but just a little less like 80 degrees ?
Typically wedges are installed to tuck the motor in more, or give it negative trim. In this case, they’re installed upside down, with the thicker side at the bottom, which gives it more positive trim.
Foam isn’t structural, it’s just additional floatation. It really shouldn’t add that much weight. I’d guess that Ranger hasn’t upgraded to modern composites and layup schedules for weight savings.
@mikethetoolman8776 Lol 😂 spray foam doesn't hold anything together. There is absolutely nothing structural about it. What happens is the spray foam cracks and water gets in and the foam soaks it up like a sponge. Thats why boats get heavier with age and don't go as fast. And there is no way to get the water out. There isn't enough airflow to dry it out. Water gets trapped. Then your bass boat is like a baseball that someone left outside in the rain.
@@mikethetoolman8776 no, that’s what the fiberglass and resin is for. Foam of this type in this application is just a void filler. It has very little compression or tension strength. The hull gets its strength from the stringers and cross members. And as mentioned by others, if lots of care isn’t taken in sealing everything it soaks up water eventually.
@@weilfast ehhh only minimally. It doesn’t have near the structural properties of something like divinycell. It’s just a void filler that adds floatation.
I worked at a Ranger dealership and we had one of the demo rangers with holes in it. When you look at that then see another boat that is "hollow" there it is just disappointing.
Those look like 5 degree wedges. If your boat or motor is under warranty, you should check to see if they will void it. Bobs sells them as well as several others.
yeah but a lot of em don’t last speed doesn’t equal a good boat!!! I will say, phoenix and basscat is making some good boats and lookout for them! they get you crazy quality, great speed, and durability 2nd to none! i’m guessing ur talking about a skeeter looking better and faster but let me tell ya… they ain’t gonna last like a basscat, phoenix, or even a ranger!
Rangers are not a great riding boat. One of the worst rough water boats there is. I had 3 rangers until i switched to basscat. Best rough water boat there is.
What great timing, I was just thinking about Mark's Ranger and opened UA-cam up to see my top suggested video was this.
I’ve been a passenger and a driver in a boat going 65+ and I finally decided 50-55 is the safest.
Loving all the video's MDJ! We run wedges on all our saltwater boats and makes a big difference. Gets you more water pressure so you can jack the motor up more running skinny and gets your speed up a bit.
You gotta do another video and show us how fast it will go.
Very Informative. Thanks For Sharing. Keep Em Coming and Catching Em On Tight Lines!
MDJ making awesome upgrades to his battle ready vessel on the water and preparing and having a championship mindset for 2025 Let’s go sir! Tight lines take care and God bless.
MDJ can’t wait to see that bad boy when finished! Happy new year!!
Good stuff MDJ!. WETumpka are good folks.
would this help all boats or just Rangers
Mark, you and the crew should do a rate the bait video on boats!
Even tho MDJ is a professional he is always willing to learn as we all should
Interesting about the wedges. One would think, you can just tilt up more underway, but then, after I had a repower done on my boat with a 2023 Merc 115, I found that, the motor only allows you to trim up so far after a certain speed, so I guess the wedges give you a bit more tilt up and help in that matter. I am betting that most of that gain is with the 4 blade prop though, as they do dig like crazy, if sized right, compared to a 3 blade.
What pitch is the 4 blade
Have you tried getting a different prop that’s designed for speed? Bravo props are tough but SLOOOOOW!
So does the extra speed help you catch more fish?
Pumped to see how you do this year
What degree wedges were used?😊
Yeah very interested in the size of the wedge used and the size of the bravo .... the wedge looks like a bobs 2 but could be a 5
By adding the wedges wouldnt you also lose some max trim angle? What degree wedges? Which Bravo 4 blade?
What pitch was on the prop?
Trim tabs been around for years have them on my z21
We all want to know what bravo 1 - 4 blade pitch? All the 520R boats seem to have hole shot issues with the 23 fury 3 if they’re running lithiums and loaded full of tackle and fuel, my work around has been keeping it at half full of gas but that’s hard to do in a tournament!
You're the man MDJ
What wedges did you use?
Curious myself
Thanks for the help.
Does this work for a smaller 18.9ft with a 175 merc? I have 200 lbs of stuff up front plus a fortrex and lithium batteries in the back. The boat flies with a 4 blade but I can feel it could go for another 10° of bow lift unless my livewells are full.
Why wedges to improve the motor angle when you have trim options and jack plates that can raise and lower as needed? Are the wedges just not giving you a little angle on the motor at launch ?
The wedges give you just a little more trim, which gives you more bow lift. Trim extenders do the same thing but haven't seen anyone use them in many years.
@@adeathman I guess that is what is confusing. The wedge puts the motor in the down position already with a little lift to it, correct ? It's not down 90 degrees but just a little less like 80 degrees ?
Typically wedges are installed to tuck the motor in more, or give it negative trim. In this case, they’re installed upside down, with the thicker side at the bottom, which gives it more positive trim.
Where do you pick up the wedges from?
Where can can i get the wedges and what's the price.
Yes where and what degree!?
Where can I get them
what is the pitch on your Bravo-I compared to your 3-blade prop?
I had a Ranger 330V 1984 had a xr4 on it and it ran 73 i really miss that boat.
@MarkDanielsJr - repeat to below - but what degree did you pick up on the wedges?
Foam isn’t structural, it’s just additional floatation. It really shouldn’t add that much weight. I’d guess that Ranger hasn’t upgraded to modern composites and layup schedules for weight savings.
is structural as it "glues" the parts together to make them act as one stronger part??
@mikethetoolman8776
Lol 😂 spray foam doesn't hold anything together. There is absolutely nothing structural about it.
What happens is the spray foam cracks and water gets in and the foam soaks it up like a sponge.
Thats why boats get heavier with age and don't go as fast. And there is no way to get the water out. There isn't enough airflow to dry it out. Water gets trapped.
Then your bass boat is like a baseball that someone left outside in the rain.
@@mikethetoolman8776 no, that’s what the fiberglass and resin is for. Foam of this type in this application is just a void filler. It has very little compression or tension strength. The hull gets its strength from the stringers and cross members. And as mentioned by others, if lots of care isn’t taken in sealing everything it soaks up water eventually.
Foam acts like a core, and would be stronger than not having it. It also soaks water, and can increase the weight significantly when wet.
@@weilfast ehhh only minimally. It doesn’t have near the structural properties of something like divinycell. It’s just a void filler that adds floatation.
Yah mannnn so cool mannn totally mannn just need a flat brim mannnn
doesn't merc say no wedges? voids warranty?
Everything voids a mercury warranty
I’d recommend running a max 5 prop
Wedges will hurt holeshot though. I ran 5 degrees for a while and my holeshot was awful. Running 2 degrees now. Really wish they made a 3.5 degree lol
I worked at a Ranger dealership and we had one of the demo rangers with holes in it. When you look at that then see another boat that is "hollow" there it is just disappointing.
Those look like 5 degree wedges. If your boat or motor is under warranty, you should check to see if they will void it. Bobs sells them as well as several others.
I have also heard from the mechanic at the Mercury service trailer that they will void your warranty.
I can't weight to meet you in Conroe Texas I live an hour north of lake Conroe I will be there and good luck to the house
You could just add the difference from the lead batteries to Lithium batteries and the boat will be back to factory weight.
Get some bfs gear and hit the creeks would be a dope video
I thought a three blade would give u more top end speed ?? I’d like too know the real awnser to that
MDJ 2025 💯
"Ranger Fast"
I knew Rangers were slow but not low 60's slow. I always thought they were 69-71 mph boats tournament loaded
So less tuck and more up angle
MDJ is real.
Don't tell me you left the wife home to decrease the weight in the boat!
i bet all the foam in a 20-21 foot ranger wouldn't weigh over 20 lbs? likely less?
The foam holds water like a sponge.
I believe you can "FLASH" your motor and not void warranty, if you want SPEED !!!!!! MIGHT CHECK INTO THAT TOO.
I don't understand why u run a ranger there are boats that look better and r fast
yeah but a lot of em don’t last speed doesn’t equal a good boat!!! I will say, phoenix and basscat is making some good boats and lookout for them! they get you crazy quality, great speed, and durability 2nd to none! i’m guessing ur talking about a skeeter looking better and faster but let me tell ya… they ain’t gonna last like a basscat, phoenix, or even a ranger!
Be careful, I know you’re a top pro, but this boats are getting so fast they are getting dangerous.
Rangers are not a great riding boat. One of the worst rough water boats there is. I had 3 rangers until i switched to basscat. Best rough water boat there is.
You gained 5 mph? So you got a Phoenix