Excel Vanguard XHD 395

[Sibfisherman]

Hi all.

I have an Excel Vanguard 395 sib with a 20hp Honda shortshaft outboard . I have been out a few times now but it does not seem to be performing as I would of expected. The bow is always pushing down and the top speed is about 18mph with 2 people and some fishing gear.
The Honda is 17inches long but the transom is only 15inchs so the AV plate sits 50mm below.
I have tried the trim all the way up to the 4th hole but starts to cavitate so I'm running on the third hole.
I have tried a 25mm packer under the engine but can't get the clamps to sit inside the plastic plate on the inside. I'm thinking of making an aluminium extension to raised by 50mm and sandwiche this over the transom then bolt it on.
Has anyone else had these problems with the excel vanguard boats?
Or... Am I expecting too much from this setup.
Thanks for listening to my rant 😁
Cheers Guys

[Steve509926]

Hi Sibfisherman and welcome.

I personally don't think you are going to get much more than 16 - 17 knots out of your outfit, 2 up with fishing gear. Excels are not renowned for speed. They are very heavy SIB's, wide with a large water/surface contact area. I don't think your OB is sitting particularly low, I don't know anyone on this forum with an Excel who doesn't run with their OB sat on the transom, however a few things to check first before any transom alterations.
What's your WOT rpm, is it running between 5000-6000 rpm?
Are you running with the correct prop?
Is the weight in your sib distributed correctly?
Are the pressures absolutely bang on?
I have an SD360 with a Merc 20 hp efi, 2 up dog and day kit, max in ideal conditions is 18 knots.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Sibfisherman

Hi all.



I have an Excel Vanguard 395 sib with a 20hp Honda shortshaft outboard . I have been out a few times now but it does not seem to be performing as I would of expected. The bow is always pushing down and the top speed is about 18mph with 2 people and some fishing gear.

The Honda is 17inches long but the transom is only 15inchs so the AV plate sits 50mm below.

I have tried the trim all the way up to the 4th hole but starts to cavitate so I'm running on the third hole.

I have tried a 25mm packer under the engine but can't get the clamps to sit inside the plastic plate on the inside. I'm thinking of making an aluminium extension to raised by 50mm and sandwiche this over the transom then bolt it on.

Has anyone else had these problems with the excel vanguard boats?

Or... Am I expecting too much from this setup.

Thanks for listening to my rant [emoji16]

Cheers Guys

Not a Vanguard but a 390 Volaire. I played about with trim/packers/props when I got my SIB. I went full circle and now run with the engine sat on the transom & trim pin I next to bottom hole. 17kn flat out in perfect conditions lightly loaded. Our normal configuration is 2 up/fishing gear/20l fuel/anchor etc. I did change the prop to a 10” which now tops out @5700RPM.
Packing up the engine on the transom caused unacceptable blow out in turns & lumpy water. As did raising the trim.
It’s now as good as it’s going to get & I’m happy with it.
As Steve says, make sure you have the tubes/keel at the correct pressure & distribute the weight, I sit at the transom & the missus sits up front. I use a zodiac fuel bladder which sits on the port side as far forward as it can go.

[Sibfisherman]

Thankyou for the replies above.
That's pretty much what I was thinking, it feels like it's really dragging in the water. I will leave the engine on the transom then, tbh I wasn't happy raising it as it just looked a lot less secure

I have an 11p prop on at the mo, according to the small tacho I fitted it's just over 5000rpm so could prob drop a pitch which I guess would also be good for the engine.
Anyone want a honda 9 1/4 x 11p new prop lol.

Other than the speed issue , the excel is such a great boat, so well made and stable . It really does make a great fishing platform.
I will add some pics.

[jeffstevens763@g]

I have the 435 cav plate is 2 inches below the keel when I lifted mine it cavitated I think the transom angle on the excels is angled back more certainly more than my quicksilver I had with a 25 Suzuki 10 inch prop me and kit 18 knots I would say your bang on speed wise.

[Steve509926]

I like the disguised bow bridle, can't tell its there

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I like the disguised bow bridle, can't tell its there

What bridle?

[Sibfisherman]

Yes, I admit it's a bit bright 😎.

[Sibfisherman]

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

I have the 435 cav plate is 2 inches below the keel when I lifted mine it cavitated I think the transom angle on the excels is angled back more certainly more than my quicksilver I had with a 25 Suzuki 10 inch prop me and kit 18 knots I would say your bang on speed wise.

Yes It does sound like it's about right.
It's not slow but I guess I was expecting a bit more as it's about the same speed as my old honwave t40 with a 15hp. Still happy with the setup though.
Had this on an inshore reef 😁

[Wave rave]

For what its worth I have the same boat with a 15hp.had this lot on it at the wknd with 2 hefty dudes. Was getting 14 mph full throttle.
Don't know much about changing props/ revs or anything like that so it's always just ran as it came out the shop.

[Fenlander]

Like others I think you are about there with the speed but agree worth trying a 10" pitch. When I had a Suzuki 20hp on our light 3.8 even that benefitted by dropping from the supplied 11 to a 10.