OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

[sooperspeed]

Ok, I know I am a newbie to the forums, but I think I am learning pretty quickly all of the quirts about the Merc 120. Well the weirdest thing happened while out on the boat yesterday. it usually drags a bit when pulling a skier or wakeboard. It seems the boat has a bit of trouble getting them up and getting on plane. Well yesterday someone moved to the bow, the boat is an open bow tri-hull. The boat popped up like it had a v8 in the engine compartment. Can weight distribution have that big an effect on how fast the boat planes up or does that prove I have a different problem? I just thought it was crazy. the wake was actually a bit better for wakeboarding with someone in the bow too. It was really weird actually. Any thoughts or did the heat just get to me yesterday?

 

[vipzach]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

YEP....you are crazy.....Just kidding! Moving wait around can make a big difference. That is why things like smart tabs work. They help push the bow down, hence getting you on plane faster and at a lower speed. When we shi or wakeboard, we always try to put someone up front.

 

[sooperspeed]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

ok, now I get it. I am having a Monday. I was also thinking about getting a hydrofoil. Since it is only a 120 I think she needs all the help she can get.<br /><br />I was reading somewhere if you trim the drive up a bit it will throw a little better wake for boarding. Do you know if that works?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

Welcome to the wild world of boating dynamics, and yes weight distribution has that much effect.....unfortunately you may still be crazy. But we will leave that up to your shrink to decide. As for the hydrofoil, give it a try if you don't like it you can always take it off. And yes the trim will effect the wake....ya just gott'a play with it and see what works best for you. Have fun.

 

[sooperspeed]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

Yeah, sometmes I wonder about my mental; stability too... <br /><br />I think I am going to try one of those hydrofoils, and keep weight in the bow.<br /><br />Thanks for the help guys...

 

[vipzach]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

sooperspeed, doing a search on here about those foils, there are alot of opinions about how well they work for an I/O. After reading several and asking questions, I decided to not waste my money and time on one. That is just my opinion though.

 

[Phantom17]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

I like mine, helps me up on plane in a 16ft bowrider. I have not tried to pull a skier but it certainly helps my 11 year old see over the bow when he drives, which is most of the time!

 

[Buttanic]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

I had a 19 footer with a 120, the 18 gallon fuel tank and two batteries were mounted on either side of the engine which was a lot of weight at the stern. Took forever to plane. Put Bennet tabs on it and it was like a different boat.

 

[flashback]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

You think weight makes a difference? Try a sailboat...

 

[bmiszuk]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

We have a '74 16ft open bow trihull with a 140. I always keep riders in the bow when pulling a tube or skier. It makes a big difference in time to get on plane compared to having everybody in the rear. But even with everyone up front it never feels like a V8! <br /><br />My boat came with a foil. It does help to get on plane quicker but I'm not sure I'd pay big bucks for one if I didn't have it already. It's an old boat and I spend enough on it as it is.

 

[sooperspeed]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

I think I am just going to go with the $20 version of the hydrofoil. That way if it doesn't work out I can just take it off and not worry about it.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

You get what you pay for (to an extent). I wouldn't waste my money on the $20 foil.

 

[3 Card]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

I'm with Rubber Frog on this one. Also the foil can actually make the boat list to one side until you get it adjusted correctly.<br /><br />I always just shift everybody towards the bow until we get on plane. Works well enough...

 

[sooperspeed]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

yeah $20 is gas in the boat too.... I think I will just put people in the bow. I can always put sandbags too if it is only a couple of us

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

Do you take off with the drive trimed all the way down or partially up?<br /><br />The drive should be ALL the way down when taking off.

 

[sooperspeed]

Re: OK, You guys are going to think I am crazy

Trim is all the way down, then after the rider gets up, the driver trims it up a bit to make the wake a bit better.