Is my 15HP Merc undersized for my boat?

L

Less Nessman

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May 16, 2009
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I have a 14.5 length princecraft resorter (Center Line : 4.4 m (14'-6"), Beam : 1.9 m (73")) with a 15hp Merc, rides great with two adults, but doesnt plane with just me.

Is the motor undersized?
Can I add weight to the front end between the peak and front seat, using what? bag of sand?, pails of water?

Thanks
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

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Re: Is my 15HP Merc undersized for my boat?

Try placing a large cooler full of beer/food/etc and ice in the bow and see if that doesn't level her off a bit.

More practical than sand.:D
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

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Re: Is my 15HP Merc undersized for my boat?

Welcome to iboats.

Have you tried adjusting the trim angle when you are alone?

Try one more notch in or one notch out since you have changed tha balance when you are alone.
 
Huron Angler

Huron Angler

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Re: Is my 15HP Merc undersized for my boat?

To answer your question directly I believe that you may want to go a little higher on the hp as that boat is rated for at least a 40hp by the coast guard.

The 15hp puts you at 20% of the rated power(if it is 40) which I would consider low.

What is it rated for? Is the plate on the boat somewhere?
 
L

Less Nessman

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Re: Is my 15HP Merc undersized for my boat?

thanks for the information it has really helped!

Lester
 
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