Correct Set Up For Small Fishing Boat

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Correct Set Up For Small Fishing Boat

Could you recommend a particular fin manufacturer, or are they all about the same?

I've never actually used one before. I know I'd just pick one up from Canadian Tire, but I suspect that is of little help to you

My current project boat that I bought last Sunday has one, but I have not put it in the water yet. Hope to this weekend. I'm likely to take tools with me and pull it off just to experiment. But I need to get the tach and trailer lights working first.

And something about finishing putting laminate down in our living room, but I'm not sure what that's all about. Just this noise I hear when I'm outside looking at my new-to-me boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Correct Set Up For Small Fishing Boat

here is one designed for your motor. http://www.iboats.com/Sting_Ray_Hyd...15645388--**********.386967213--view_id.39123

 

[Blue Mesa]

Re: Correct Set Up For Small Fishing Boat

Thanks again. I finally found an individual locally that has a lot of experience, works on boats and motors, and can help me get this right. It is odd that we have a big lake, lots of fishermen, lots of tourists that come to fish, and no full time boat shop. I think it is due to the very short season - maybe 3 months.

This guy corrected a couple of misunderstanding that I had. I think I have been giving you some wrong information - sorry - I told you I didn't know anything from the beginning. For one thing, I thought that I was supposed to get the lower plate, the one right above the intake and prop, up to the bottom of the boat or above. He said no, and pointed to a higher plate up by the water pump, saying that one is supposed to be an inch or so above the bottom of the boat, and it is.

Also, he says that at 8000' you are working with drastically reduced horsepower on these engines. He is a mechanic, and he figures a 25 hp puts out about 17 up here. He generally recommends a different prop for this altitude, one which I happen to already have. My father-in-law gave it to me as a spare, but I guess it's what I should be using. It's flatter, and should increase rpm, even though it will produce less thrust - maybe I'm saying that wrong.

Next, he said that lots of people here do use some kind of fin, because it helps get the boat on plane faster. He said switch props, tilt out 1 notch, put the plate back on (i will probably still get a smaller one), and start from there. He owns a very similar boat, one of several, so I'm going to try it.

We discussed a few other tweaks, but that gives me a good starting point. I'm going to take his advice, and keep in mind everything you guys have said. I appreciate all the input and your patience with my ignorance. I am learning a lot reading this forum, and I'm sure you will be fielding more stupid questions from me. Gives you something to look forward to.

 

[Blue Mesa]

Re: Correct Set Up For Small Fishing Boat

Just a quick update. I did put on the flatter prop, and put the Doel-fin back on. I tilted the motor out one notch and went out for a spin this morning. I can tell right away that I am getting higher rpm's, and the motor just sounds happier somehow. The boat takes a few seconds to come up on plane, but the nose is coming down a bit farther than it used to - never seemed to "plow" though. It also seems to plane better at less than full throttle. I was surprised that the nose came down farther even though I had tilted the motor out a notch. With a couple more people in the boat I might have to go another notch. I was by myself, so I had shifted as much stuff forward as I could.

Anyway, it picked up 5 mph, so I was hitting 21. I have ordered the smaller fin that Tashasdaddy pointed out, so we'll see how that goes. So far so good, I'll keep working on it.

Thanks again for all the help.

Oh, caught a nice big rainbow too. Here are a couple of pictures on the way to the fishing spot. Sorry about the lousy cell phone pics. It's all I had.