Trouble getting up on plane

[rodgeml1]

Boat: 1995 Wellcraft Coastal 210
Engine: Mercruiser 4.3LX
Prop: Aluminum 14.5 X 17 RH 3 Blade

Problem: I'm having a really tough time getting up on plane. Even with just two of us in the boat I'm still having to use WOT and trim tabs all the way down to FINALLY nose over onto plane. If there are four guys in the boat, it takes a long time to get on plane.

Question: I was looking at the SE Sport 300 hydrofoil. Has anyone ever tried it out? Any luck? Any other suggestions?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Boat: 1995 Wellcraft Coastal 210
Engine: Mercruiser 4.3LX
Prop: Aluminum 14.5 X 17 RH 3 Blade

Problem: I'm having a really tough time getting up on plane. Even with just two of us in the boat I'm still having to use WOT and trim tabs all the way down to FINALLY nose over onto plane. If there are four guys in the boat, it takes a long time to get on plane.

Question: I was looking at the SE Sport 300 hydrofoil. Has anyone ever tried it out? Any luck? Any other suggestions?

Ayuh,..... Are ya trimmin' the drive All the way down,..??

I'd think trim tabs, And a whaletail would be a Nightmare to handle on plane,...

Are ya overloaded,..?? wet foam,..??

That boat oughta Pop on to plane with that little prop,...

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Ayuh,..... Are ya trimmin' the drive All the way down,..??

I'd think trim tabs, And a whaletail would be a Nightmare to handle on plane,...

Are ya overloaded,..?? wet foam,..??

That boat oughta Pop on to plane with that little prop,...

I don't think the boat is too heavy. It's not pulling heavy or hard to trailer and pull off the ramp.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

What's the rpm at WOT??

 

[phonfish]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

This is what I do with my Hydra Sport 2500vx: Motors trimmed in, tabs down, full throttle. Up on plane,raise tabs throttle back to cruise rpm(4000)

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

What's the rpm at WOT??

4600 RPM.
I can cruise right around 30 MPH at around 4200 RPM.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

This is what I do with my Hydra Sport 2500vx: Motors trimmed in, tabs down, full throttle. Up on plane,raise tabs throttle back to cruise rpm(4000)

Good tactic.....I do the same but it still takes a long time to finally get up on plane even with tabs all the way down.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

I'm more interested in your rpm's during your holeshot--

Just a personal observation I've noted over the years, but 2800-3000 is about the average 'hump' you have to pass before the boat will plane out. If you can't reach this rpm, chances are you're engine's out of tune for whatever reason, especially with 17 prop. If you're reaching or blowing past this rpm and the boat is still standing up, you might have an extra weight problem, which unfortunately can be water hiding someplace it shouldn't be (like the foam, stringers, coring etc.), or your prop may have a problem with 'bite'..

I would think your boat should be hitting 30 mph at much less than 4200 rpm, even with that 17. But, your gear ratio could account for that. But another but, if that's the case, you should have plenty of low end grunt to get on plane..

Just my opinion, but based on hard to plane AND low cruise speed at a relatively high rpm, I'm thinking your boat is weighing in much heavier than it should be--

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Is this a new problem on a boat that used to plane easily? Or is it a problem that came with a boat that is new to you??

 

[airshot]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

You may want to check the gear ratio in the outdrive to be sure you have the correct one. If you are not the original owner or have had it replaced, the replacement may be the wrong gearing.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

I'm more interested in your rpm's during your holeshot--

Just a personal observation I've noted over the years, but 2800-3000 is about the average 'hump' you have to pass before the boat will plane out. If you can't reach this rpm, chances are you're engine's out of tune for whatever reason, especially with 17 prop. If you're reaching or blowing past this rpm and the boat is still standing up, you might have an extra weight problem, which unfortunately can be water hiding someplace it shouldn't be (like the foam, stringers, coring etc.), or your prop may have a problem with 'bite'..

I would think your boat should be hitting 30 mph at much less than 4200 rpm, even with that 17. But, your gear ratio could account for that. But another but, if that's the case, you should have plenty of low end grunt to get on plane..

Just my opinion, but based on hard to plane AND low cruise speed at a relatively high rpm, I'm thinking your boat is weighing in much heavier than it should be--

Ok, so if my boat is heavy and I can't find a way to get the weight out, is there anything else I CAN do?

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Is this a new problem on a boat that used to plane easily? Or is it a problem that came with a boat that is new to you??

Oh this boat and I have a short but sordid affair. I bought it as a "turn-key" but it turned out to be far from it. After replacing the starter, correcting shift-interruptor problems, new shift cable, throttle cable, now outdrive (one on the boat was a 1.47 ratio...replaced with a 1.81 ratio), new head gaskets.......well you get the idea. Anyway....already too long story short, the boat has always had trouble planing.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

You may want to check the gear ratio in the outdrive to be sure you have the correct one. If you are not the original owner or have had it replaced, the replacement may be the wrong gearing.

Actually I already replaced the outdrive. It WAS a 1.47 ratio....replaced with a 1.81.

 

[phonfish]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Check the WOT rpm. If it is within range,I would then check the prop's hub for slippage. Four guys in a 21ftr, trying to get on plane, somebody needs to go on a serious diet. Merc 4.3 may not be enough for all that weight. Like somebody asked, has it always been like this?

 

[bekosh]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Boat: 1995 Wellcraft Coastal 210
Engine: Mercruiser 4.3LX
Prop: Aluminum 14.5 X 17 RH 3 Blade

No offense, but something is off here. The 1995 Wellcraft Coastal is a Outboard powered walk-around cuddy.

Check the different models here ( Bowrider Fishing Boat | resources | Wellcraft ) to see what you have.
With the 4.3LX in it, I would guess that it's an Excel 21SL cuddy or an Excel 21SX bowrider.

4600 RPM.
I can cruise right around 30 MPH at around 4200 RPM.

According to the spec sheet for the Excel 21SX bowrider with a 4.3, your cruise speed is about right, but your WOT rpms are too low.

Performance Data Mercruiser 4.3LX
Time to Plane-4.25 seconds
Top Speed-52 MPH @ 4950 RPM
Cruise Speed-33.6 MPH @ 3200 RPM

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Ah, new much-lower geared outdrive, that sheds new light--

With torque peaking at around 3000 rpm, a 1:81 drive and a 17 prop, you may be UNDER-propped to the point the engine won't turn it fast enough to generate enough thrust to plane out. If possible, rent or borrow a 21" pitch prop and see where that gets you. Maybe even a 23"er with those gears...

As for current WOT revs being too low, maybe just a tune-up issue?

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

No offense, but something is off here. The 1995 Wellcraft Coastal is a Outboard powered walk-around cuddy.

Check the different models here ( Bowrider Fishing Boat | resources | Wellcraft ) to see what you have.
With the 4.3LX in it, I would guess that it's an Excel 21SL cuddy or an Excel 21SX bowrider.


According to the spec sheet for the Excel 21SX bowrider with a 4.3, your cruise speed is about right, but your WOT rpms are too low.


View attachment 198144

Shoot......it's a 218 coastal. Sorry about that.

They did make a stern drive model for that year.

1995 Wellcraft 218 Coastal stern drive, Price $13,000.00, Anaheim, CA, Power, Other, Beam 8'6", Bridge Clearance 5'10", Engine Model 4.3, Fuel Type Gas, Hull Material Deep Vee, LOA 24, Propulsion Type I/O

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

Ah, new much-lower geared outdrive, that sheds new light--

With torque peaking at around 3000 rpm, a 1:81 drive and a 17 prop, you may be UNDER-propped to the point the engine won't turn it fast enough to generate enough thrust to plane out. If possible, rent or borrow a 21" pitch prop and see where that gets you. Maybe even a 23"er with those gears...

As for current WOT revs being too low, maybe just a tune-up issue?

I tuned it up around July of last year, so I'd hope it's not out of tune just yet.

I'll see what I can do to track down a bigger prop and try it out. What pitch would you suggest for a 21"?

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

21" is the pitch Kevin suggested. So that would be a 14-1/2 x 21 three blade. DO NOT GET A 21" Diameter propeller. It will not fit your outdrive clearance.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: Trouble getting up on plane

21" is the pitch Kevin suggested. So that would be a 14-1/2 x 21 three blade. DO NOT GET A 21" Diameter propeller. It will not fit your outdrive clearance.

:embarassed: :facepalm: I am ashamed......