newbie question- motor mounting height

[2004 Voyager]

Hi everybody! Wonderful site here, have found answers to some of my questions without even posting! I just got a 2004 Voyager with an '87 DT 85 Suzuki motor. I believe the previous owner just threw this motor on it for a quick sell. Stripped prop hub, week water pump, carbs not running/ idling right. I've got most of these issues resolved, still working on a high RPM overheating issue, got some ideas on this, but was interested on having a discussion about motor heights.
Boat does not seem to plane out well. Maybe pontoons don't even really plane out? Centerline of prop shaft is about 4" below bottom of pontoons. This motor does have power tilt/ trim, and have played with it without a lot of difference. The PTT motor is to the right of engine housing and is in the flow of water under the boat, causing a lot of turbulence. Motor is currently in lowest holes, could raise up and water test without too much difficulty I suppose.
At best trim, should a motor be "square" with the boat? Tilted away, or tilted toward? All depends on weight distribution at any given time?
Any thoughts or suggestions on this will be greatly appreciated,
Thanks in advance, Larry

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: newbie question- motor mounting height

Height varies on a pontoon as different brands sit a different levels in the water. For the most part, the cav plate should be just under the surface when underway. The motor has to be a long shaft (20") or longer. Being a few inches too long is not really a problem unlike a conventional hull. Mine is a long shaft and is at the second lowest setting.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: newbie question- motor mounting height

Height varies on a pontoon as different brands sit a different levels in the water. For the most part, the cav plate should be just under the surface when underway. The motor has to be a long shaft (20") or longer. Being a few inches too long is not really a problem unlike a conventional hull. Mine is a long shaft and is at the second lowest setting.

+1 ^^^. Larry, you'll probably find you use very little trim out to achieve your best performance. I almost never have to touch my trim setting since I've discovered the sweet spot for my barge. Good luck !!!

 

[Okieboatguy]

Re: newbie question- motor mounting height

Larry,
I have a stupid question, since I also have a Voyager, and most of the ones I see are Tri-Toons, Is yours? Does it have lifting strakes? The only reason I ask is because they will affect if your boat can and is able to plane out. It has been my understanding that a standard 2 log pontoon will not plane out. However, I may be wrong.

 

[2004 Voyager]

Re: newbie question- motor mounting height

Just the two typical logs on this one, with smooth logs at the back. I think this is where I would find "strakes"? Really don't know this terminology but I think I can visualize what you are referring to here.
Still not sure what to make of moter mounting here, cavation plate is not visible at speed, maybe needs to be raised?

 

[crb478]

Re: newbie question- motor mounting height

Sounds like you need to raise the motor, but do it in slow increments and note if performance improves or not. Dont raise it so high that it can not get a good flow of water to the intakes. Water on the back of pontoons is very turbulent so a little deeper if frequently prefered