Any Thoughts Or Discussion About The Z18?

[Wickedsmaht]

I will have to check on my Merc coverage and upgrade if not already at Platinum, good advice there, thanks! How do you like that 150 4-stroke? That thing is supposed to be bullet-proof. I see Pro's Choice put the jack plate on too, good thinking. What did they set your Prop to Pad at to start, and have you had to adjust it? I put the 8" Slidemaster JP on and figured I might have to play with that setting to find the sweet spot. I went with a 23p Tempest prop too which I figure to be the best option to start.

 

[Larry Williams]

The 150-4 has been a good experience for me so far! Mercury almost lost me as a customer with the Pro XS.
I had a new 2013 Lowe Aluminum rig that I had fished before the Nitro. The 115 ProXS was a nightmare for me. Tons of issues with faulty ignition coils (multiple replacements under warranty) , bad air pump, faulty oil level sensor. Mercury has had some issues with parts from Mexico. Apparently no quality control. Remember, I just replaced my alternator on the four. So far that's been the only issue. Engine starts and runs super- powerful and smooth with great fuel mileage. I don't think you will find much difference in performance related to where you run the prop. I run as shallow as possible watching water pressure gauge to determine if I'm getting to skinny. I'm past the days of trying to squeeze out every MPH. The hull design does a really good job of maximizing performance overall.

 

[Wickedsmaht]

I hear that about trying to squeeze every MPH out of it. We have well regulated speed limits here on most lakes set at 35 or 45 mph, so not much sense in 60+ around here. I am just hoping for a decent hole shot and that is about it. I went with the 150-4 also for its quite, economical, low maintenance, bullet-proof reputation. This will be my 3rd Mercury and so far I haven't had 1 issue of any kind with the first two (150 EFI and 115 ProXs). Perhaps I have lived a charmed life to this point with Nitro and Mercury (knock on wood).

 

[Larry Williams]

With the typical setup, I felt like the whole shot was slightly lagging when fully loaded- full fuel, live wells full, with gear and a passenger. I think most glass rigs suffer from this issue especially if propped for top speeds. However, when alone and less than filled live wells it is quite effortless to get on plane easily. I might add that the 40 gal. fuel tank is a great feature extending range quite a bit. I think that I'm getting in the range of 5-7 MPG all the time depending on conditions. With fuel, and 30+ gallons of water on board the load is significant. I keep my fuel level above 30 Gallons nearly all the time to limit the amount of air/moisture inside the tank.

 

[Wickedsmaht]

I suspect the 23p Tempest will serve well then for an improved hole shot, with a slight loss on the top end, but that's what I'm aiming for.

 

[Gregory Jones]

I just added a new jack plate late last season and quickly discovered it was more difficult to get a solid hull shot. Any of you have some advice?

 

[Larry Williams]

Gregory, I wrote somewhere recently here about the use of the SE Sport 300 Hydrofoil device. Some despise the idea of using one but I've experienced clear benefit from using this one- especially with hole shot. I also used one previously on a larger glass boat for about 5 years. Never any issue with it- same now this past year- great hole shot with much slower drop of plane at lower speeds. I don't have to stand on the gas pedal to get on plane fully loaded, just bump up to 3000 rmp and boat climbs out quickly on to plane. If you decided to try it- don't use the clamp on devices they have terrible reliability reviews by those who try them. The unit comes with a very well engineered template for perfect placement with 4 small bolts through the cavitation plate.

 

[Larry Williams]

BTW Gregory, that's one nice bass you showing us there!

 

[Kerz]

Waiting on weather to run the maiden voyage and break-in, with our new Z18 150-4. It looks like this Thursday in eastern KY will be good. Cedar Creek Lake (KY) Sunday for three days of bass fishing.

 

[Larry Williams]

It's a keeper! Looks great!

 

[Chris Walker]

She's finally in! Just waiting on my back ordered power poles Who would have thought She has been at the dealership for over a week now. It's killing me.

Any of you guys have any idea what the break in period is? I have a tournament the 23-25.

More photos to come

 

[Wickedsmaht]

I hope you get it up and running by the 23rd then. Here, the weather has been Snow, Sleet, and Temps below 40 so not a lot of fishing going on. I got out a few times only so far. Here are a few pics, as promised.

 

[Chris Walker]

She sure is beautiful! That sucks about the weather, it's perfect here in Florida. What is the advantage of the double axle trailer? I see a lot of the z18 with those?

 

[Wickedsmaht]

For me, I trailer the boat every place it goes and the tandem gives it stability on the rough roads where the single axle bounces quite a bit and the boat takes a beating, especially some of the dirt roads here. Plus the surge breaking system is nice that they come with, and I find they are easier to drive the boat off and on with but that might just be me. And they look good! Not that we accessorize with our fishing stuff (as my wife likes to say).

 

[Chris Walker]

I finally had the opportunity to look at our new z18. Unfortunately I can't pick her up yet the power poles are still backordered. here are a few photos

 

[Larry Williams]

She sure is beautiful! That sucks about the weather, it's perfect here in Florida. What is the advantage of the double axle trailer? I see a lot of the z18 with those?

I got one because:
1. four wheels/tires give you some better assurance that you can get to safety if you have a tire or bearing problem on the road. (If you have one good tire and wheel bearing on each side you can keep going).
2. Weight distribution is better with an 2 axles- less wear and tear (tires and bearings) due to more weight distribution over 2 axles.
3. I've found less bounce and vibration transfer to a tow vehicle using dual axle trailers in general.

Cons:
1. replacement cost higher with 4 wheels, tires, and bearing assembly.
2. trailer won't steer by hand. Once released from vehicle, you won't be able to change direction pushing it by hand.

 

[Larry Williams]

I finally had the opportunity to look at our new z18. Unfortunately I can't pick her up yet the power poles are still backordered. here are a few photos

I like it! My 2017 has the high back seats but not the hand grips down on the inside next to the center hatch. I had to cut and place some foam under and along the inside edge of the seats- I had a problem with small fish that would get lose finding their way under the seats, along the back bottom and were hard to retrieve!
BTW- I tied a sturdy lanyard cord to the live well lid loops to get them open a little easier. the two lids on mine are pretty tight when completely closed.

 

[Larry Williams]

All is good- I have run about 100 hours over 2 years. Closing in on the second year now. No negative report from the previous posting last year. It was a good year, caught a lot of fish, Bass, Speckled Trout, and Redfish have all checked in and most of them returned to their business the same day! Life is good!

 

[Kerz]

Hey Larry,
The same here with our Z18. We got it early last spring. No problems with boat or Merc 150-4. The trailer rims (welded type) were warped and had to be replaced. I took them trailer to my local tire shop to have the tires balanced. The mechanic showed me a couple on the spin balancer. Not good. Anyway, the Nitro boat store changed them out for a set of riveted wheels with tires. Problem fixed.
Now, the downside: bass fishing for me has sucked but I had fun at it! Ha!
Vic