Bow to high when running wot.

[spunkyjr]

Ok how can I get the bow down. The boat is a 14 footer Gruman run about with a 15 hp long shaft motor,tiller. It has 3 bench seats. I tried moving the gas tank forward as much as I can. The battery is still in the back of the boat. If I sit on the seat in the rear the bow will rise so high at wot that I have a hard time seeing what is in front of me. I use a handle extension and I can sit in the middle seat but I feel uncomfortable sitting there due to lack of control when the water is rough. This does bring the bow down but not as much as I like. The motor is tilted all the way down close to transom as I can get it. What else could I do to bring the bow down. Would adding a plate to the back of the transom on the outside of the boat than mount the motor help?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

Putting the correct motor on the boat will certainly help. A long shaft motor has the prop way too deep in the water. The thrust line being that far below the keel is acting like a big lever forcing the bow high. A fixed jack plate may help but it may put additional stress on the transom.

 

[spunkyjr]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

The cavitation plate is even with the bottom of the boat right where it suppose to be. I tried a short shaft and it would cavitate.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

I am really new at this, What is WOT?

 

[Boatenheimer]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

Sounds to me like you just need more weight in the bow area.Two or three concrete blocks or sandbags or sand tubes would probably work.

I personally have not owned a boat that needed them but lots of people swear by smart tabs.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

WOT = Wide Open Throttle

Get that battery forward, too...as far forward as you can. It's about 40 lb of weight that doesn't need to be back by the stern. You can use automobile jumper cables as wiring. They're plenty heavy and you should be able to find an inexpensive pair somewhere.

I'm assuming you have a trolling motor mounted on the transom, too. Make sure it's not dragging in the water.

This is one of those situations where a fin on the outboard might help you a lot. I know everyone hates them around here, but lots of people find them useful on small boats. It's worth a try.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

Cheap automotive jumper cables are BAD, you can have any length cable made up fairly cheap and they will last a life time. If you are running them any distance you most likly will have to increase the size to prevent resistance and over heating of the wire

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Bow to high when running wot.

Correct...move the batt and fuel tank forward as far as you can, then get milk crate, etc. and place it in front of the rear seat. Sit on that, with or without your tiller extension. As Cat says, you may need a whale tail...they make manuvering a little sluggish but they can help level out a small boat so it planes better.