Hello everyone,
I posted a similar request for advice, but didn't title it very well.
I did get advice to talk directly to Lowe ... Although, I would like to fill my quiver with ammo before speaking with them. Any advice is appreciated.
I'm having some serious problems with my dealer and my new Lowe.
Here's some facts;
1. Merc. motor tests conclude WOT= 31/35 mph @ 5500 to 6000 RPM with 11, 12 or 13 pitch prop...depending on test boat and hole choice of #2 or #3.
2. Boat appears to have "Aft Overload" at all times and conditions.
3. The Manual shows measurement of hull bottom to V plate in parallel condition = flush to 1" below hull bottom.
Here's some problems;
a. Dealer installed a (Lowe recommended) 17 pitch prop. WOT = 20mph @ 4000 RPM. Wouldn't plane or trim w/o porposing. Steering pulls hard to the right. No trim w/o porpoising. Motor was mounted in #1 hole.
b. Changed prop to 10 3/4 x 12 Alum. Black Max. WOT= 29 @ 5350 RPM. Boat won't plane until above 20mph, two short bump's on trim button causes poroising.
c. Raised motor to 3rd hole. WOT = 32 @ 5700 RPM. Adjusted "Trim Tab" to eliminate steering pull. Now have constant vertical spray from transom soaking stern. Transom corners @ waterline while underway. Some trim adjustment.
d. Moved motor to 2nd hole. WOT = 31 @ 5600 RPM. Still have vertical spray, also a large wave constantly coming over transom at any speed (possibly caused by top plate on lower unit being 1/2 out of the water?). With zero trim, the measurement from bottom of hull to front of ventilation plate = 1". But, rear of V plate is 6" below hull bottom because of the mounting/transom angle. Parallel condition = 1.5" below hull bottom.
Dealer wants to weld on trim tabs to raise the rear of the boat while underway. I don't want to alter the hull.
~Is my 247 lb. motor simply too heavy for this little boat? A 50hp 2stroke is 50 lbs lighter. Did Lowe miscalculate affect of added weight when offering the 4 stroke?
~Do I need to lower motor to first hole and reprop?
~Do I need to use a Hydrofoil on a brand new boat?
~Shall we see what happens in the 4th hole?
~ The owners manual recommends V plate @ 1" to flush when parallel to hull bottom, (the #3 hole = 3/4" below hull). This condition causes alot of vertical spray between lower unit and transom.
I love the design, amount of storage and compact size of this little boat. But, after 2 1/2 months we still can't find a good setup. The boat is no fun to use. I'm about ready to contact a lawyer.
Thanks a bunch,
Chucko
I posted a similar request for advice, but didn't title it very well.
I did get advice to talk directly to Lowe ... Although, I would like to fill my quiver with ammo before speaking with them. Any advice is appreciated.
I'm having some serious problems with my dealer and my new Lowe.
Here's some facts;
1. Merc. motor tests conclude WOT= 31/35 mph @ 5500 to 6000 RPM with 11, 12 or 13 pitch prop...depending on test boat and hole choice of #2 or #3.
2. Boat appears to have "Aft Overload" at all times and conditions.
3. The Manual shows measurement of hull bottom to V plate in parallel condition = flush to 1" below hull bottom.
Here's some problems;
a. Dealer installed a (Lowe recommended) 17 pitch prop. WOT = 20mph @ 4000 RPM. Wouldn't plane or trim w/o porposing. Steering pulls hard to the right. No trim w/o porpoising. Motor was mounted in #1 hole.
b. Changed prop to 10 3/4 x 12 Alum. Black Max. WOT= 29 @ 5350 RPM. Boat won't plane until above 20mph, two short bump's on trim button causes poroising.
c. Raised motor to 3rd hole. WOT = 32 @ 5700 RPM. Adjusted "Trim Tab" to eliminate steering pull. Now have constant vertical spray from transom soaking stern. Transom corners @ waterline while underway. Some trim adjustment.
d. Moved motor to 2nd hole. WOT = 31 @ 5600 RPM. Still have vertical spray, also a large wave constantly coming over transom at any speed (possibly caused by top plate on lower unit being 1/2 out of the water?). With zero trim, the measurement from bottom of hull to front of ventilation plate = 1". But, rear of V plate is 6" below hull bottom because of the mounting/transom angle. Parallel condition = 1.5" below hull bottom.
Dealer wants to weld on trim tabs to raise the rear of the boat while underway. I don't want to alter the hull.
~Is my 247 lb. motor simply too heavy for this little boat? A 50hp 2stroke is 50 lbs lighter. Did Lowe miscalculate affect of added weight when offering the 4 stroke?
~Do I need to lower motor to first hole and reprop?
~Do I need to use a Hydrofoil on a brand new boat?
~Shall we see what happens in the 4th hole?
~ The owners manual recommends V plate @ 1" to flush when parallel to hull bottom, (the #3 hole = 3/4" below hull). This condition causes alot of vertical spray between lower unit and transom.
I love the design, amount of storage and compact size of this little boat. But, after 2 1/2 months we still can't find a good setup. The boat is no fun to use. I'm about ready to contact a lawyer.
Thanks a bunch,
Chucko