A Real newbie with a newbie question

[cloumar]

Hi guys, I recently bought a SmokerCraft Pro 162 -1994 with a 75 Force 1998 motor. Motor runs good and boat seems to be in good shape, no damages to the hull.<br />I have a bit of experience with small fishing boat with 9.9 HP - but it is my first experience with that kind of equipment in size and HP. I don't know if it is because the motor is not set properly on the transom (height) or it is me the problem, but with 2 peoples on board I can't see it to plane on the water if I gradually increase throttle, no matter what trim I am trying this guy will nose up and remain up for let say too long until it noise down a bit, but if I let say floor it WOT from start and trim it up gradually it will plane OK - so is it my inexperience or it is something I could fix an adjustment.<br /><br />Many thanks in advance<br /><br />Mario

 

[steelespike]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Mario,<br /> Lets assume your motor is producing full<br />power. Motor should be trimmed in all the way to start.(prop closest to boat).If you are carrying a lot of stuff in the rear of the boat move it forward.Anchor,spare gas can,any thing mooveable.Be sure there is no water in the bilge.<br /> After you are on plane trim motor to the best speed.Make note of the rpm and speed and let us know.If you know the size of your prop (diameter<br />and pitch)it would be good to know. It is usually<br />stamped on the prop.If your prop is designed for top speed your hole shot would tend to be slugish.<br />Your horse power is probably at the bottom end of <br />the reccomended power for a fully equipped 16 foot boat.Im assuming a 162 is 16 feet.<br />Let us know if these things help.There are a couple of more things to try as well.

 

[icwebpeople]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

i had simmalar prob with a 14.5 ft tri hull with an 85 hp i installed a whale tail(hydrofoil) and greatly improved performance. i did loose adout 4 mph though.

 

[plywoody]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

I am not familiar with force engines, but correct me if I am wrong, but a SmokerCraft is a relatively light aluminum boat. I have a 17 foot Crestliner aluminum boat with a 1986 Johnson 50 hp and it gets it up on a plane in a hurry, with as many as 4 people on board. I can't believe that Force 75 hp is that weak an engine, and something engine wise is wrong, unless you are carrying 100's of lbs of gear in the back, the boat is half full of water, or the prop is dreadfully mismatched to the boat.<br />What kind of RPM's are you getting at various stages of power-up?<br /><br />John

 

[cloumar]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Thanks to all of you,<br /><br />Here are some answers to your question:<br /><br />- my boat is a 16'2'' long - aluminium - open deck<br />- the max. HP recomm. for it is 90 HP so 75 should be ok<br />- the prop if I am not mistaken is 10-1/2 Dia. 13 Pitch , but again I need to double check it is very hard to read. <br />- the cavity plate is right in line with the bottom of the boat,<br />- there is no water in the bilge;<br /><br />So again thank you guys and if any other ideas let me know.<br /><br />Mario

 

[cloumar]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Oh by the way, sorry if I didn't get back to you before but last night I was not at home.<br /><br />Also last weekend it was my first time out with the boat alone with the wife and we were seated side by side in about middle of the boat or a bit more toward the bow, fuel was at 1/2 and no other weights. The very first time I took on the water was a week before and we were 4 in it, my brother in law and the wives, the women were seated in the front of the windshield and of course it was easier to make it plane - nose down .<br /><br />Thanks <br /><br />Mario

 

[93evinrude]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

If you increase the throttle slowly, it will take longer to get on plane.I suggest giving it a little more throttle to get on plane and then just bring it back to where you want.If that is not acceptable,you could add a hydrofoil.You can also check that you're propped right as suggested in a previous post just in case.<br />Happy boating

 

[plywoody]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

You are powered with more than 80 % of the maximum hp for that boat. It should jump up on a plane in a hurry. If it doesn't, something is wrong.<br />From what we know, we don't know much about what that something could be, so I guess it is a start at the beginning and eliminate what is not wrong.<br />Do a compression check, check all mechanical linkages, check spark, etc. Check all fuel connections from the tank on, check/replace any fuel filters in line.<br />Goal is to try to isolate the problem by eliminating possibilities

 

[Spidybot]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

And try to get us some info on WOT rpm. If you're right about 13" pitch one could suspect rather high rpm at WOT due to load on the motor - but according to your description the motor works hard...<br /><br />What is your running weight including all gear, mermaids, beverages etc.?<br /><br />Sounds as if your 75'er doesn't produce 75 at the moment.

 

[cloumar]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Hey UU, don't say a word about mermaids, the wife is not aware <br /><br />Compresion and fuel delivry to motor is in top sh.<br />After reading some post, I believe may be I should try hydrofoils,,, what do you think ?<br /><br />Thanks <br /><br />Mario

 

[cmjust0]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

I have a '92 Astro 15.5' Fiberglass bassboat w/ a '92 70HP Force O/B, and it's propped similarly... Not sure, but 13-15 pitch, something like that (Stainless 3-blade).. I don't have a hydrofoil, and I get up on plane fairly quickly.. I firmly believe my holeshot would be greatly improved with an aluminum prop vs. my stainless, but that's neither here nor there......<br /><br />Anyway, with our boats being comparable lengths, but yours being aluminum, it should be considerably lighter than mine.. Plus, you've got 5 more horses and 6 less years of use.. I'm thinking that your slow planing isn't the problem in and of itself, but is a symptom of something else.<br /><br />I'm no expert, but that Force should plane an aluminum boat out quickly w/ a 13 pitch prop...

 

[Spidybot]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Sorta imagined your wife sitting there in mermaid style...<br /><br />A hydrofoil may improve rear lift and getting on plane. But it will cost top end. And still, you're looking for a solution to the symptom - not a cure for the problem.<br /><br />Once your motor performs the other problems will disappear. I feel your motor is not all right. All theory (and the experience told in those posts) tells that your boat should perform much better.

 

[cloumar]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

Hey Steelespike,<br /><br />If I remenber well the first time I took it out with 4 peoples at some occasion we were able to reach a top RPM of 5300 RPM !!<br /><br />About the speed I didn't really pay attention <br /><br />Mario

 

[cr2k]

Re: A Real newbie with a newbie question

I have found that taking the boat OFF the trailer gives much better performance. http://forums.iboats.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Force motors are a little overrated as to power. But being a later model it is a Mercury Force not a Chrysler Force (good thing).

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