Problems planing 280 Conquest

[jane915]

My husband and I have a 2001 280 Conquest, with twin 225 4-stroke engines. We've had severe planing issues ever since we purchased the boat new in May 2002. We have consistently had trouble with this problem, for example on July 4th on our way to see the Blue Angels in Pensacola, we had to put the entire family, except the driver and my 73 year old mother, on the bow of the boat to acheive planing. My mother had to go to the front of the cabin. Does anyone else suffer this problem? I have many more horror stories to tell of attempts to plane the boat, whether on the intercoastal waterway or miles out to sea. I am happy to share them if anyone is interested...just ask! We'll have to have pages! We have contacted Whaler, they have sent people to look at the boat and made many promises about what they can do, but nothing ever seems to happen...they always want to look at one more thing. We bought this boat in part to take clients fishing for business purposes. We have now shot ourselves in the foot, as our competitiors are laughing at us with our clients for having such a sorry boat our clients have to ride the bow to reach a plane. If someone else has this problem, or knows a solution, or someone with knowledge in the Whaler heirarchy, I would certainly like a word back! This experience certainly cannot be what was sold to us through the Whaler brochures and dealership.<br /><br />Thanks to anyone who can help.<br /><br />Jane Atkins<br />Memphis, TN<br />901-345-0000 ext 29

 

[Newportme]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

Jane,<br /><br /> How is the boat propped and how are the motors trimmed ? there are many variables involved here. You could try googleing boston whaler... there are web sites that are dedicated to whalers and the people there are very helpful.

 

[JB]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

I agree with Bruce, Jane. I think your most likely suspects are props and trimming. There is an outside chance that your engines are, in combination, too heavy.<br /><br />What rpm are you getting at WOT? What is the rpm range of your engines?<br /><br />You might get additional help here on the Props Forum, or you can go to continuouswave.com (the ultimate Boston Whaler site) to talk to many Whaler experts.<br /><br />Good luck, and let us know about the rpm and what engines you have.<br /><br />Oh, and Welcome to iboats.

 

[Newportme]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

JB <br /> Thanks for posting the "other" site. I did not want to step on anyone's toes ( or otherwise break any rules)

 

[jane915]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

Thank you for answering me.<br /><br />We have 2 Yamaha 4-stroke 225 hp with 6000 RPMs now. I'm a newbie, so I don't know what WOT is, but we have had a mechanic in Orange Beach AL check the motors, as well as a Boston Whaler factory mechanic spend 4 days on the boat trying to get it to plane. They found nothing wrong with the engines.<br /><br />When Boston Whaler spent the 4 days on our boat in December, they brought a variety of props to try. None of them were able to acheive planing within an acceptable time frame...according to the Whaler rep!<br /><br />The Whaler guy raised and lowered the engine and tried new props and nothing helped. When the boat is loaded with full fuel and 4 people, it would NEVER reach plane, whatever the props and trim tab settings. Boston Whaler is aware of this and conducted the tests, and now they want to weigh the boat. I can't imagine what they're looking for there, but I think it's yet another stalling technique to avoid handling a problem with a poorly designed hull.<br /><br />Why would they think weighing the boat would have any bearing on planing ability? Do you also think this is a stalling technique for handling this problem? I'm very interested to know if anyone else has a boat with this similar problem.<br /><br />Thank you so much!

 

[JB]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

No, Jane. I don't think they are stalling.<br /><br />One of the things that can be wrong is water getting into the foamed space between inner and outer hulls. That can increase the weight enough to prevent planing. It would be a defective hull, not necessarily a bad design.<br /><br />Years ago I bought a '73 Boston Whaler Sport 13 that had a crack in the outer hull near the keel. It had enough water in the hull to increase the weight over 200lb. Any other boat would have sunk. . . end of story. I drained and dried it, repaired the outer hull and used it for years with great pleasure.<br /><br />WOT is shorthand for Wide Open Throttle, or full speed. A properly propped boat will reach, but not exceed, the engine top rpm at WOT. That is why I asked.<br /><br />450Hp should pop your Conquest up on plane quickly and easily. There is clearly something wrong. It may not be easy to ID, but trust the Whaler guys to find it in the end and make it right.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[bayman]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

I think JB hit this one on the head. This has probably been looked at but - one contributing factor (in addition to everything else mentioned) could be something stuck to the bottom of the hull. I know this is a pretty new boat but I would check that in case it hasn't been looked at yet.

 

[atticus3600s]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

I would try to get the Whaler people to pull the boat out of the water and take a look at the hull. What JB said could be true, also there is chance that somehow the hull has something on it or its warped. I would definitely get this looked at because a 280 Conquest should get up on plane easily with 450 horses. Since there are no problems with the motors its most likely a problem with the hull.

 

[jane915]

Re: Problems planing 280 Conquest

Whaler said they have checked the hull. Shawn Foutch with Whaler now states that the Dealer I purchased the boat from should have never put the 225 Yamaha four strokes on. Whaler is doing some test on a simalar hull now. Who knows what they will do. I am really very discouraged.