Engine hit splashwell

[Shrub88]

Hello.

My friend just bought a brand new Suzuki 115 4-stroke and had it installed by the dealer on his 17 foot Critchfield center console. The design of the engine and the proximity of the splashwell means that it is possible if you trim/tilt too high that the front engine cover will contact the splash well. He said there is some paperwork included with the engine that talks about setting the maximum trim/tilt travel but the dealer apparently did not make these adjustments, as the other day he over-tilted the engine and it hit the fiberglass making a nice scratch in his new black engine cover. He said the dealer did warn him not to raise the trim and tilt too much but I feel that was not good enough. I think it was their responsibility to set the trim travel correctly and that they should be responsible for making this right. He has only been out with the new engine twice and it is already screwed up because of this.


What is your opinion of this situation and do you think the dealer should have adjusted the trim travel and is now responsible for fixing the damaged engine cover?


I am also concerned if he should hit an underwater object that the engine will fly up and hit even harder resulting in more damage. Does anyone know if adjusting the trim/tilt travel will also limit the height the engine will achieve after hitting an object?

Thanks for any advice or comment.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

i've never heard of a limit switch on an outboard, but i don't know it all.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

He said the dealer did warn him not to raise the trim and tilt too much. as the other day he over-tilted the engine and it hit the fiberglass making a nice scratch in his new black engine cover. Thanks for any comment.

Ayuh,..... From the outside lookin' In,.... It sounds like your Buddy is a Moron.....

On Many boats, with Many motors,... This same thing is an Issue......
The Fix is to Not tilt it so danm High.....

Btw,...
If you hit something Solid in the water,... The motor is going to Jump anyways,...
Hopefully, Into the boat,+ Not to the Bottom of the sea.....

 

[guy74]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

There is noting on my motors to limit the travel on the tilt, exept the full travel of the ram and the operator of the boat. If a person can't operate the tilt and trim, what is he doing operating a boat?

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

you could rig some kind of switch, but come on! Your friend received explicit directions from the dealer and he even read the paperwork that came with the motor. Get a sharpie and knock out that scratch.

If a dealer/mechanic told me to keep the revs under say 5000 I am not going to go out and try to hit 5500, I am going to make damn sure that I do not go above 5000.

 

[Shrub88]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

Ok guys, thanks for the responses.

My buddy is not a moron, just a normal guy learning with his first boat.

I had never heard of a Tilt Limit Switch either but there is definitely one on the new Suzuki's. I still say they let him down for not setting the switch as it their responsibility to correctly install these motors and although I would, my friend is not gonna pursue it any further. They did offer him some touch-up paint. Nice, huh?

On the engine flying up after hitting something, I now realize nothing will stop the engine and it will definitely hit the splashwell; just the way the boat is built.

I will say this after going out in it for a couple hours, that that is one sweet engine. Starts in an instant, very quiet and great power and speed. Don't have any numbers, but doesn't seem to burn any fuel at all.

Cheers.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

I think it is real nice of them to offer touch up paint.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Engine hit splashwell

This is my opinion, worth millions:
If there is a procedure that the dealer could have used in mounting/setting up the boat that could have ensured the tilt/trim wouldn't have raised up high enough to hit something, they should have done it. THat kind of stuff is what you pay for when you pay them dearly to "set it up". They obviously knew it was likely to happen, especially with a new boater, or they wouldn't have given the warning. That being said, your friend also should have said, "hey, is there any way you can limit the tilt travel so it won't do that?" If there was and they didn't take the time and effort to do it, they're wrong. If it wasn't possible to do it and they warned him like you said, he's wrong.
I feel his pain on scratching his new boat, though!
JBJ

 

[Kymasabe]

Jack Plate !!

Jack Plate !!

My suggestion is to invest in a jack plate. Most are available with a 4 to 10 inch offset from the transom and 7 or 8 inches of lift.
If he buys a jack plate with a deep offset, will keep the cowl further from the boat, less likely to hit and may be able to raise the motor an inch or two too for additional clearance.