Maiden voyage observation
 

Hi there, just bought this 18 and couldn't put her away for the winter without knowing its quirks... Think I found one.

1st - the boat has a mangled prop. (not by me!) Its very evident in the picture provided. Curious how you think this mangled prop would affect performance? The boat ran great today. Slid onto plane easy and guessing WOT maybe 35MPH (just a guess)

2nd - Tremendous spray coming up from the transom when on plan. Hope its evident in the picture, best I could do. The motor has those bolt on fins on it by previous owner. Not sure why they are on there. There is NOTHING hanging below water line on transom aside from the sender from the fish finder. I ruled that out because the spray is equal on both sides. I was hoping you all can weigh in on a few things.
1) Use of those bolt on fins
2) Mounting position of the motor. Should I raise it? You can see in the pic its on the top bolt of the motor mount.

Thanks all for your thoughts...

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w...01/running.jpg http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w...10848Large.jpg


http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w...10850Large.jpg

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w...10849Large.jpg

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

1. Fix/recondition the prop
2. Raise the motor 1 hole.
3. Re-assess

Try this. Really.

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

Yeah, a new prop is in the works, asap! Looks like I have 1 hole on the bottom motor mounts I can raise before I have to drill new holes which I'm not keen on doing.

I'll report back on new prop action after I get'r done.

Curious why previous owner put those fins on.

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

They help the boat plane at slower speeds, cheap trim tabs and not as efficent, they do work though. They will provide spray, particuliarly if the engine is mounted to low, keep the cavitation plate about 1" to 1 1/2" above the keel. They also cut some top end.

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

I'm no expert and I don't know if it would have any effect, but, looking at the first picture, it looks like the motor is tilted to the side a couple of degrees. However, if you look at the top bolts in the transom, they appear to be off a little, but, in the wrong direction. (Might be my glasses).

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

I'll check on this tonight!

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

Whether you want to drill new holes or not you may have to - that is some crappy rigging. Not sure on the motor tilt but I would bet its way too low hence the dol-fin. That lower hole will not allow to raise it I guess, but I will bet to get to 1-1 1/2" above you will have too. Not that bad just do it right and its not that hard, these guys can tell you exactly how to plug the old ones. keep that 115 under 5400 RPM though - just say'in

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

Yeah hard to imagine the boat yard that sold this boat in FLA. thought that those bolt patterns were correct. I don't officially know what is correct but I'd prob. lean toward mounting bolts in the middle of the bolt pattern which would allow for motor up down adjustment without new holes.

That said I have a 1 hole adjustment left. I'm not sure where that puts the cavitation plate on the transom, I'll play with that tonight. Never the less, I'm going to rip those dol fins off as I think they look silly and I think the payoff to be minimal.

New prop on the way, the mangled one was a 13.25x17. I'm trying out a 13.25x19.

Tx for your previous reply!

Re: Maiden voyage observation
 

That will probably be too much, you will need a 17 especially for water sports