Just bought my first boat (1996 Hydra Sport 175 FS) and have many questions!

[gbell28]

Hi everyone,

Just bought my first boat and have been reading a lot of threads here trying to learn as much as I can.

Yesterday we took it out for the first time besides the lake test, it is a 1996 Hydra-Sport 175FS. It has a 150 Evinrude on it. I had my wife, and two friends with me and it felt like the boat only had two speeds, either really fast or really really slow. If I tried to go at a medium speed it seemed the boat would never plane out and just plow through the water with the bow pushed up high? Is there something wrong with my engine/gears or is this just a trim issue that I need to learn how to adjust it better?

Also I have a hard time finding info on this particular kind of Hydra Sport. Are they not popular? I really like the style of boat it is I just hope I didn't buy a lemon.

Thanks,

Greg.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Just bought my first boat (1996 Hydra Sport 175 FS) and have many questions!

Greg,

Welcome to iBoats. Congrats on the boat purchase. As far as your questions go you will have to play with the speed and trim to see where your boat's limits are on planning. Having four adults inside the boat would be a factor also. I suggest taking it out by yourself and make several runs at various speeds. Check your speeds by GPS and not speedo. Go to WOT and check your speed and RPMs. RPMs at WOT should be in the OEM engine recommended range (probably 5000-5500 rpms). If not then your prop is not correct and that would be your starting point. High rpms at WOT indicate too small prop dia and/or pitch. Low rpms indicate too large prop dia and/or pitch. If your prop is okay then try running at a know planning speed (i.e 4000 rpms). Trim the motor in and out to see the affect it has on ride angle and speed. Try to set the trim to maximum speed and comfort. Slowly back down on the trottle in increments of 100-200rpms until you notice you are falling off plane. That will be your lower limit number. More weight in the boat will cause your boat to fall off quicker. Each boat will have a different planning speed drop off. Looking at your hull design it might be that your particular boat might need to be on the faster side to maintain plane. Keep us posted.

G