rooster tail

kb

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2001
Messages
9
i am a newbie, just bought my boat a few months ago and am still figuring out a few hows and whys. but there is one thing that i can't quite figure out what is up...<br /><br />sometimes my boat will throw up a 6 foot rooster tail right behind the boat that actually is so close it hits the motor cover itself. when it happens i'll stop for a second trim up the engine, check the prop(nothing is ever wrong), trim back down and continue on my way with no more tail. this usually happens after being on the water for a while. i usually have my engine trimmed all the way down when cruising and most of the time it works fine.<br /><br />i have a 1972 glastron v-178, 17 ft, trihull, 1973 johnson 115 ob, 19 pitch prop.<br /><br />like i said, i am new to the boating thing, so this question may have a simple answer. <br /><br />thanks for any help you can give me. great forum in here guys, have learned alot by just reading past posts.
 

Diesel

Cadet
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
28
Re: rooster tail

Hi and welcome aboard!<br /><br />Where is your cavitation plate (the plate on the leg above the prop) in relation to the lowest point of your hull at the rear? It should be within 1" plus or minus of the lowest point. <br /><br />I don't have any personal experience with a tri-hull, but I am wondering if your prop, under very specific conditions is being dewatered by the hull shape. Hense my suggestion of checking the height above.<br /><br />Good luck.
 

Fouled Plug

Ensign
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
935
Re: rooster tail

Is it possible you are occasionally picking up some weeds or debris and causing the shower?
 

kb

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2001
Messages
9
Re: rooster tail

weeds...that was something i suspected. the lake i usually run in is quite weeded. i just never see any on the prop when i trim up.<br /><br />as far as the motor height. it could be, yet this happens just every once in a while, so i'm not sure about that.
 

Fouled Plug

Ensign
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
935
Re: rooster tail

Could be a knot of "salad" on the motor leg that drops off when you stop, or when you tilt the motor up. I've picked up blobs of kelp and driftwood around here that will cause the same symptoms.
 

kb

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2001
Messages
9
Re: rooster tail

thanks fouled plug, you've put my mind at ease. still a greenhorn, but am learning.
 
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