planeing

[big grampa]

I have a 88 merc classic 50 45hp 13 pitch prop on a 17ft basstracker.It has a 21gal gas tank built in.By the time i get 2 batteries, cooler,2 bodies,poles,etc it will not plane.I also have a wing over the prop.I HAVE TRIED SHIFTING WEIGHT ALL AROUND.Any thing i can do short of getting a bigger motor?

 

[heybaylor]

Re: planeing

you can lighten the load...dont run over 6-8 gallons of gas ...<br />try a 11 pitch prop...load to horsepower is too much in my opinion<br />also make sure that you have the trim all the way down..if it only has a pin be sure its in the last hole toward the transom

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: planeing

PERHAPS a smaller pitch prop would help - maybe.<br /><br />Past that nope. Slap an '88 115 on it and you'll be a serious contender in Bass Tournaments. <br /><br />-W

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: planeing

Are you sure the motor is firing on all cylinders? Where is the cavitation plate relative to the hull bottom? Have you ever done a compression test? You should be able to get that boat to plane. It may take a little longer than normal with that load, but it should plane. My 14ft fiberglass boat with a 40HP, 4 adults, battery, 6gal fuel will plane out in about 6-8 seconds and run 25MPH at WOT. I figure the total weight is about 1300Ib's. I've got a 10 x 13 pitch prop and a fin on my setup. Granted a bigger motor would be better but I've seen quite a few boats your size sold with 50HP motors. With the price of gas rising like it is, bigger isn't necessarily better. What is that boat rated for ?

 

[willydiver]

Re: planeing

Originally posted by big grampa:<br /> I have a 88 merc classic 50 45hp 13 pitch prop on a 17ft basstracker.It has a 21gal gas tank built in.By the time i get 2 batteries, cooler,2 bodies,poles,etc it will not plane.I also have a wing over the prop.I HAVE TRIED SHIFTING WEIGHT ALL AROUND.Any thing i can do short of getting a bigger motor?

I'm hoping the "bodies" are you and another healthy and living friend. If not, ditch them before you try to plane out. That should shave a couple hundred pounds.<br /><br />Just kidding. Check the rated HP and weight on the boat's Coast Guard plate. If you're within 10-20% on those, you should be able to plane. ALTHOUGH, you should only operate a boat within its rated HP and weight capacity.

 

[big grampa]

Re: planeing

Its rated up to 120HP.I think what is doing me in is the 21 gal gas tank. It will plane if the lake is smooth as glass,add a little chop an it will not plane. I have a wing on the back.Do you think planer boards would help?