Weedless Drive

[coleman kayak1]

I have a 3hp evinrude lightwin. It has the so-called "weedless" drive. I never have tried it in the weeds, but imagine it would do well. In the lake it won't do nothin'. Will only push my 10' boat about 2-3mph. Sounds like its straining to push it. Someone told me to put it on the furthest slot out (kick motor all the way out). Is this the answer?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Weedless Drive

It will probably help, but the engine is no powerhouse. But 2-3mph sounds a little slow. My '72 4hp with weedless drive, which is very similar to the 3hp, pushes a light 12' tin utility hull to about 6mph, or 7mph with ideal loading and only me in it.<br />I find I get my highest speeds with it trimmed somewhere between a "normal" trim angle with the anti-ventilation plate parallel to the water flow and way out with the propshaft parallel to water flow. Right around half way.<br />Do you have any idea how fast it's spinning up? Is the hull light & loaded evenly? Perhaps the engine is a little less than healthy, and it's dropping a cylinder or the compression is low.<br /><br />It does shed weeds very well though.

 

[JB]

Re: Weedless Drive

I think your engine is way down on power, CK, maybe running on one cylinder, maybe not getting full throttle.<br /><br />The weedless drive sacrifices some efficiency to get the "weedless" effect.<br /><br />See what happens if you disable each cylinder at the spark plug. If it runs on one but not the other you have a dead cylinder.<br /><br />Let us know what you find, but do it on the JohnnyRude Troubles forum.<br /><br />Good luck.