Aluminum bass boat Trim Tab Question

[Elchucko]

Help! I need some advice. I reciently bought a brand new Lowe Stinger 16 with a 50 hp Merc 4 stroke from my local dealer. It has been back to the dealer 3 times so far because it wouldn't trim or plane or go over 25 mph, plus it was hard to steer.
They changed the prop and raised the motor up to the 3rd hole. It ran better and planed out nicely, but sprayed water vertically from the transom and onto the rear deck while underway.
So, they moved it to the 2nd hole and adjusted the torque tab to relax the steering and now I get 33 mph, a very small range of trim and a nice hole shot. Sounds ok, eh?
Well, now there is a wave of water plus the spray coming up over the transom (on both sides) while underway...at any speed. This is totally unacceptable.
The Tech drove the boat and witnessed this phenomenon. He's never seen a boat do this and neither have I. Neither one of us liked the spray on the 3rd hole, or the way the boat handled in the 1st hole, but now (in the #2 hole) I have a constant wave coming up and over the transom.
It looks and acts like the 247lb motor is simply too heavy for the little boat.
I guess when Lowe rated the boat for a 50 hp max, they meant the 200 lb 2stroke ?
Anyway, the dealer wants to weld on some rigid trim tabs to fix the problem. I don't like the idea of them welding plates on my brand new boat. Or would that even fix it?
Smart tabs look like they would get in the way of my ladder and also get damaged while fishing in the stick-ups. I don't really want a Hydrofoil on it either.
Has anyone experienced this problem? Or have any expert advice?
Thanks a bunch,
ElChucko

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum bass boat Trim Tab Question

Contact Lowe directly and not the dealer.

 

[Elchucko]

New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Hello everyone,

I posted a similar request for advice, but didn't title it very well.
I did get advice to talk directly to Lowe ... Although, I would like to fill my quiver with ammo before speaking with them. Any advice is appreciated.

I'm having some serious problems with my dealer and my new Lowe.
Here's some facts;
1. Merc. motor tests conclude WOT= 31/35 mph @ 5500 to 6000 RPM with 11, 12 or 13 pitch prop...depending on test boat and hole choice of #2 or #3.
2. Boat appears to have "Aft Overload" at all times and conditions.
3. The Manual shows measurement of hull bottom to V plate in parallel condition = flush to 1" below hull bottom.
Here's some problems;
a. Dealer installed a (Lowe recommended) 17 pitch prop. WOT = 20mph @ 4000 RPM. Wouldn't plane or trim w/o porposing. Steering pulls hard to the right. No trim w/o porpoising. Motor was mounted in #1 hole.
b. Changed prop to 10 3/4 x 12 Alum. Black Max. WOT= 29 @ 5350 RPM. Boat won't plane until above 20mph, two short bump's on trim button causes poroising.
c. Raised motor to 3rd hole. WOT = 32 @ 5700 RPM. Adjusted "Trim Tab" to eliminate steering pull. Now have constant vertical spray from transom soaking stern. Transom corners @ waterline while underway. Some trim adjustment.
d. Moved motor to 2nd hole. WOT = 31 @ 5600 RPM. Still have vertical spray, also a large wave constantly coming over transom at any speed (possibly caused by top plate on lower unit being 1/2 out of the water?). With zero trim, the measurement from bottom of hull to front of ventilation plate = 1". But, rear of V plate is 6" below hull bottom because of the mounting/transom angle. Parallel condition = 1.5" below hull bottom.

Dealer wants to weld on trim tabs to raise the rear of the boat while underway. I don't want to alter the hull.
~Is my 247 lb. motor simply too heavy for this little boat? A 50hp 2stroke is 50 lbs lighter. Did Lowe miscalculate affect of added weight when offering the 4 stroke?
~Do I need to lower motor to first hole and reprop?
~Do I need to use a Hydrofoil on a brand new boat?
~Shall we see what happens in the 4th hole?
~ The owners manual recommends V plate @ 1" to flush when parallel to hull bottom, (the #3 hole = 3/4" below hull). This condition causes alot of vertical spray between lower unit and transom.

I love the design, amount of storage and compact size of this little boat. But, after 2 1/2 months we still can't find a good setup. The boat is no fun to use. I'm about ready to contact a lawyer.

Thanks a bunch,
Chucko

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

The plate that is above the prop should be at a minimum even with the bottom of the hull or 1" above the bottom of the hull. That verticla spray of water is from having too much of the lower unit in the water.

 

[roscoe]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Absolutely not the weight of the motor causing the problem.

Total stern weight may be effecting it, but not the few extra lbs of the 4 stroke.

Definitely raise that motor as Bob said.
Lead edge of Anti Ventilation plate should should be 1/2" above the WATER when the boat is on plane.
This usually means 1/2" to 1.5" above the bottom of the hull.

Hard to believe the dealership would be so far off.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Pics of the transom set up would help alot.
Is this a tiller motor?

 

[Elchucko]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Thanks Bob and Roscoe,
The Dealership is not very impressive to say the least. I made them install a Transom Stiffener because they overtightened a top bolt and the transom yielded under the excess torque. I'm about to put on my Gorilla suit and go ape on them. But I still need them, so I'm trying desperately to stay civil.
I'll have them raise the motor to hole #4 and cross my fingers, that will put the V plate flush with the hull. Maybe I need #5? That would be 3/4 above the hull. That's as far from the original setting as it can get.
Maybe I'll make them buy me a jack plate and I'll dial it in myself !!
Thanks again guy's....I really appreciate your experience and advice.

 

[Elchucko]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Here's a link to some pictures;
https://picasaweb.google.com/117821597814634593310/July31201102

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Nice pictures..... but they are not the boat :facepalm:

 

[Elchucko]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Sorry, I'm about as good on a computer as I am at setting the height of an outboard.
How bout' now?
https://picasaweb.google.com/117821597814634593310/July31201102

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Are you certain that you don't have a long shaft motor on a short shaft transom???

 

[Elchucko]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Good question. The Model # 50ELPT4S. Serial#1C123209
Wouldn't a Long Shaft include a LS in the Mod# or Ser# ?

Also, I forgot to include the 1" Keel Strip in my measurements. Holes are 3/4" apart.
#2 Hole....AV Plate= 1/2" below keel strip...wave and spray into/onto stern
#3 Hole....AV Plate should be 1/4" above keel strip.....better performance, but spray's vertically onto stern.
#4 Hole....AV Plate should be 1" above keel strip.....maybe too high?

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

If i'm readin' Mercury model numbers correctly, 50ELPT indicates Electric start, Long shaft, Power Trim. 50ESPT would be for short shaft.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Elchucko]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Dang Eddie, you are brilliant! This dealer continues to be the most unimpressive bunch of you know what's I've ever dealt with. Looks like I have some extra ammo in my quiver!
Would it be smart to have them;
a. install a manual jack plate
b. install a short shaft on my motor
c. try to get them to give me the correct motor

 

[roscoe]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

15" = short shaft
20" = long shaft
25" = Xtra long shaft

your boat has a 20" transom, requires a long shaft motor

you have the correct motor.


Raise it up, start out with the motor as close to vertical as you can when you throttle up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Yup your motor is too low.

That AV plate needs to be at least up 2" from where it is maybe 3"........ you have too much in the water.

Yes, you have the correct motor

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

Re: New Lowe 160 w/50 Merc 4st. LOTS of "Set up" Problems

A tape measure will tell you everything.
15,short 20 long.
measure transom and motor.

 

[mbarw]

Re: Aluminum bass boat Trim Tab Question

I have a 170 Stinger w/ 50 hp merc. smoker. I have had some of the same problems just not quite as bad which started once I finally had a full tank of fuel and added a 3rd battery thus making the stern heavy. Your boat is shorter and motor is heavier thus magnifying the problem. Getting response from Lowe via e-mail was very difficult and a phone calls just made things worse. The tech guys at Lowe just did not have it all together as far as what to do.

I was running a 10 3/8 x 14 prop and turning 5900 WOT = 30 mph just a few clicks of trim and porpising started. Book stated 5500 max on motor and limiter should kick in at 5700 RPM. Questioning accuracy of tach I checked it with a shop tach and my tach reading was +50, no big deal. I installed a custom prop 10 1/2 X 15 double cup to add some lift and everything was great except now only WOT 5200 = 31 mph, trim a little better. I raised motor up 1 hole addded some shims (test drove before permanately attached) WOT 5500 =35.5 mph GPS reading and trim alot better.
Keep in mind that these boats are not designed for high performance but for comfort while fishing. You can get them to perform better with alot of trial and error and deep pockets.

Good luck and hope this helps.