Getting boat to plane

[383cross]

Kinda new to boating and this forum has been helpful already, I recently bought a nice little 85 Bayliner 14' with a 65hp Merc, the prop is a 15p stainless. This weekend my brother and I took it to the lake to try it out after getting it checked by a reputable shop, when we threw the throttle down the front of the boat stood up and I thought wow this is gonna fly, but it didnt pick up much speed for a good while then finally the front sit down and the boat really started to pick up some speed and ran really well. We timed it the next time and from a dead stop till it planed out was exactly 21 seconds which seemed like a long time to me, once it's up it runs great it just seems to take a long time to get on top of the water. Any thoughts?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Getting boat to plane

It may not be running on all cylinders.Or you may need to trim in.
It would help to know the max rpm and speed.Perhaps the boat has absorbed
water.The little Bayliners are known to get rotted floors and transoms.Did yu check the transom as I suggested in youre other post?
If it has multi carbs one may be dirty, running lean.You might give it a shot of choke to see if it helps.If all is right that should jump and fly.

 

[383cross]

Re: Getting boat to plane

I did have the boat checked over a reputable local shop, he told me the transom was in good shape, but how do I check to see if it's soaked? I had it out for about 3 hrs the other day and pulled the plug when done and it was bone dry so I think it's fairly watertight. It is firing on all 3 cyl, I checked the spark in each cyl and ran a comp test, 120-125 each cyl. The carbs could be dirty, I havent pulled them apart, they do look like someone has recently replaced or rebuilt because they have a new gold look to them, of course that doesnt say what they look like inside but it does idle nice and never missed a lick all day. When you say trim in are you suggesting moving the prop closer to the boat or farther away? It's a manual trim and it is currently in the 3rd hole from the boat, I did see in another post that the AC plate should be level with the bottom of the boat, in that position it's not level and needs to be moved 1 hole close to the transom so I've done that and will try it again this week but have a little trouble believing that would do that much. I do appreciate your suggestions and advice and will try to find a tach to measure the r's. And might be tearing into the carbs soon if nothing else works.

 

[Matrex]

Re: Getting boat to plane

I had the same problem when I bought my first boat this summer. Plunked it in the lake and tried to remember all the stuff the guy I bought it from told me. "Put the plug in" was one I forgot. "Trim it all the way down" was another. Until I remembered that I was bouncing down the lake bow pointing skyward until it finally leveled out on plane. A little trial and error and I learned the optimum trim position for me and the boat is something like 80% down on my guage... and I have learned to adjust it to meet load and conditions.

Hope your problem is as simple to solve as mine was....

 

[Ross J]

Re: Getting boat to plane

Same problem with my boat a few years ago. All totally solved when I was given a "Doel Fin" by a mate and fitted it , hey presto problem solved immediately. Up on the plane easy as and stayed there even with mates walking around trying to upset it!
Over the years it's also saved me fuel costs, along with comfort that is.
Ross

 

[383cross]

Re: Getting boat to plane

what in the world is a Doel fin and where would a man find one?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Getting boat to plane

what in the world is a Doel fin and where would a man find one?

It is a wing affair that you put on the antivent plate.It can be very effective
improving planing ride and handling.They can also cause problems from unpredictable handling poor mileage, spray slower top end etc..A better choice is something like smart tabs.They will improve hole shot,improve handling,allow planing at lower throttle and combat no wake zone wander.
Both of these should be considered the final adjustment. after extensive
attempts to get the best stock performance.
Trimming in, yes move prop closer to the boat.It will improve hole shot but may lower top speed.
Anti vent plate even with the bottom of the boat is condsidered a starting point.Motor may have vertical adjustment holes so you can raise the motor.
Raise it a little at a time to a point just before venting becomes a problem.
An inch could add a couple of mph under ideal conditions.may improve hole shot and get the motor closer to its best efficiency.Just be sure it pumps water.