More Newbie Questions

[cdreed06]

Hi again, we went out again today and have some questions, the bow comes up really far even with the trim down as far as it will go. Only when we are wide open will it come down enough to be able to see good. Is this normal? It seems like some of the other boats on the lake do this as well but not really sure. Also, is it possible that if I pushed the lever too far forward that it could make it go into neutral? We were pulling our daughter on a tube and she wanted to go faster and when I pushed it on down it kicked into neutral. We of course stopped and the boat just wouldn't go anymore. We checked out the prop and all and everything seemed the same as it was before. We then started it back up and tried reverse and it went in just fine, then tried forward again and it was fine then too. We then made our way back to the ramp and quit for the day. I think the cable needs replaced but just wondering what you all think. Thanks

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: More Newbie Questions

What are you driving?

Nose will come up quite a bit on a hard start from a standstill but it should plane out pretty quickly. Can't address the dropping into neutral question. Someone will be along shortly I'm sure.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Bow rise on start up is normal, but it can be a safety issue as well. You may want to consider trim tabs or a fin for your motor. This can really help.

You may have to replace the throttle cable.

Good luck!

 

[redone4x4]

Re: More Newbie Questions

you need nauticus SX smarttabs to eliminate the bowrise. it literally takes it all away. as for the shifting, sounds like its out of adjustment. I dont know what setup you have, but on some if the adjustment isnt set properly it will cause premature wear on the gears and internals.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Check the position of the outdrive or motor. If the trim is all the way down it should be vertically parallel to the transom, not raised at all. Also, the drive unit should be long enough so the prop is well below the lowest point of the hull's vee.

The wide-open-throttle issue could be cavitation. It could seem as if it's going into neutral, but what's really happening is the prop is catching air and you're losing propulsion. Pull the throttle back, let the boat slow down, and everything will work as normal. This is also a sign that the trim is set too high or the drive is too short to be in the water when the boat's on plane.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: More Newbie Questions

sounds like your still learning what your boat feels like---do a search on smarttabs and get some and also sounds like you have a cable misadjusted-good luck

 

[cdreed06]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Thanks for all the information, Airdvr1227 it is a 1984 Celebrity 20ft bowrider with a 5.7 and a Alpha One outdrive. Yes I am still trying to get used to the feel of the boat, we don't have anything to compare it to since this is our first boat. We are going to look into the smarttabs since this is a bit unnerving how high it comes up. Safety is number one. The shift cable is kinda hard to move anyway and I was going to replace it anyway, I do think that is the problem as well. I hadn't thought of the cavitation issue but if the cable doesn't do it I'll be looking at that issue next. Thanks to everybody on here, it has been a lot of help.

 

[jdlough]

Re: More Newbie Questions

cd,

I agree with Rick that your boat probably didn't really go into neutral. If your drive is trimmed too far up/out, then at wide-open-throttle (WOT), it may easily cavitate (churn up air and water), and the prop would loose all 'bite' with the water. If it happens at high speed with a sharp turn, it's even more likely that the motor was just trimmed too far up/out.

But before you change any shift cables....

Be aware that most throttle/shift controls have some way to adjust the friction of the throttle/shift lever. Your's might just be set too tight.

It might be a knob near the shifter, but usually it's just a screw that looks like any other screw that attaches the throttle/shift lever to the gunwale.

If it's set too loose, the throttle tends to creep back to neutral, if you let go of the throttle/shifter.

If it's set to tight, shifting/changing throttle just feels stiff. Exactly the way you'd think crappy cables would feel.

Check your manual. Or try to find a manual for your throttle/shift controls.

Or just wait for or ask for more info from more knowledgeable folks here.

No matter what, it definitely seems like you are yet another great candidate for Nauticus Smart Tabs. (Just search for 'Smart Tabs' here. You'll see)

Jim

 

[cdreed06]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Thank you all for the information, the trim was down when this happened. It seemed like after I put it into reverse and went backwards then it went into forward again like nothing had happened. I am hoping it is just adjustment. Oh and by the way the prop is totally screwed up with one piece that is torn. We were just trying to get by with it until we could get one. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Prop has a torn piece? If a prop is out of balance it will destroy the seals on the prop shaft from the lower unit, if not cause wear on the pinion gears.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Prop has a torn piece? If a prop is out of balance it will destroy the seals on the prop shaft from the lower unit, if not cause wear on the pinion gears.

ditto, dont take the boat out if you havent replaced or had the prop at least re-worked if possible. its gotta be balanced.

 

[cdreed06]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Thanks! I had forgot to put in the initial posting on this thread about the prop being damaged. We hit a rock at the dock on the first trip. We have had it out a total of 2 times so far and now that we know about the seals and stuff it will not go out without a new prop.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: More Newbie Questions

jumping into neutral while underway could be a bad clutch dog. Or a spun prop, esp since you hit a rock and chunked a piece out (torn? that's for fabric!)

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Do you have a manual? If not, get one (preferrably an original). One of the most enjoyable aspects of owning my first boat is getting educated on how things work...I'm still learning. Trim tabs are my next purchase for sure.

I was a bit nervous my first few times out but once you get a feel for your rig you'll be able to relax and enjoy.

Your shift cable issue can probably be solved with an adjustment or replacement.

 

[cdreed06]

Re: More Newbie Questions

Ah a spun prop seems very likely especially after I saw how they are actually made. I did buy a manual and it is alot of help I am still learning though. The cable shifts just fine when the boat is on the trailer. So I am leaning towards something other than the cable. It is stiff when we are in the water. We have rented pontoon boats before and it didn't seem like those shifters were still at all but they were outboards too don't know if that makes a difference. Could it be a oil issue? Also another dumb question. There is a triangle shaped black box that has mounting tabs that aren't mounted to anything and a wire coming out of the top and the wire goes toward the dash I guess and the thing ticks when the battery is on. What is this? I know it is not a clock LOL. Thanks in advance for all the help we are getting here. Hopefully someday I won't be so dumb about all this and can help others.