Planeing problems

Manster2266 · Jul 25, 2012

I have a 1982 skeeter Sierra 90. It has a 1980 evinrude 115hp on back. I have had it tuned, carbs redone, and changed my prop from a 13 1/4x 21 to a 13 1/4 x 17. With full throttle it still will not plane out. If I send my passenger forward a little bit it will. My RPM gauge does not work so I can't say what they are. My top speed after planeing is around 36 MPH. I know weight distribution helps but if I'm alone I can't get it to plane. Any suggestions will be much appreciated!!

Boats-A-lots · Jul 25, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Does the motor housing have an adjustment on it? I had an outboard on my first boat that had 4 pin settingd. Sort of like a trim/tilt but you have to adjust it manually and before you launch. After running around the lake like Wally gator, I adjusted it down one if I recall and it planed out before top speed.

jestor68 · Jul 25, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Could describe what sort of boat a skeeter sierra 90 is?

I'm having trouble envisioning a reasonably sized boat that a 115 won't get to plane off with a 17 pitch prop.

Manster2266 · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

jestor68 said:
Could describe what sort of boat a skeeter sierra 90 is?

I'm having trouble envisioning a reasonably sized boat that a 115 won't get to plane off with a 17 pitch prop.

It's a 15.5 foot fiberglass boat. It weighs 900 pounds. I have the manual tabs setting as low as it will go. I am no mechanic but the shop I took it to did a lot of tests including a bench test?? And says everything is ok. All my research on this old boat says Max HP is 90. The weight difference between a 90 and a 115 is only 16 pounds. When I max throttle motor it starts out great but seems to bog down at top rpm. As soon as my passenger steps forward about 3 feet we plane out and off we go .

Manster2266 · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Boats-A-lots said:
Does the motor housing have an adjustment on it? I had an outboard on my first boat that had 4 pin settingd. Sort of like a trim/tilt but you have to adjust it manually and before you launch. After running around the lake like Wally gator, I adjusted it down one if I recall and it planed out before top speed.

I looked at it and it's as low as it can go.

Manster2266 · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Boats-A-lots said:
Does the motor housing have an adjustment on it? I had an outboard on my first boat that had 4 pin settingd. Sort of like a trim/tilt but you have to adjust it manually and before you launch. After running around the lake like Wally gator, I adjusted it down one if I recall and it planed out before top speed.

Manster2266 said:
I looked at it and it's as low as it can go.

This is my first boat. I'm no expert lol I was told it may be water logged(??) I have no clue. My engine purrs like a kitten on the water ears but to me it seems like I need to get RPM gauge fixed because I can't say what they are while trying to plane. If I put my batteries up front and nothing in storage area I can plane it by myself.

Texasmark · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Something is surely amiss. Waterlogged would be a good answer. That engine with that prop should make that boat scream

Mark

coastalrichard · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Manster2266 said:
It's a 15.5 foot fiberglass boat. It weighs 900 pounds. I have the manual tabs setting as low as it will go. I am no mechanic but the shop I took it to did a lot of tests including a bench test?? And says everything is ok. All my research on this old boat says Max HP is 90. The weight difference between a 90 and a 115 is only 16 pounds. When I max throttle motor it starts out great but seems to bog down at top rpm. As soon as my passenger steps forward about 3 feet we plane out and off we go .

Manster, that 900#...is that the original weight or current weight?

emoney · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

You should take your boat to a scale somewhere and that will help determine the "water logged", in lieu of deeper inspections, of course. Take the total and subtract outboard, fuel and trailer (take everything else out before you go) and if that number is quite a bit over 900, there's your problem. Assuming you don't have any way to look under the floor/at the flotation foam? Does the floor feel spongy at all? Does the transom flex? These are signs of rot which would also answer your waterlogged question. No way a 115 doesn't plane a 15.5 boat usually pretty quick, two people or one.

Manster2266 · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Thanks for all the help, I will weigh it this weekend when I'm off. If it is waterlogged is their a fix?

Manster2266 · Jul 26, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Yes their was some rot in floor. I laid new plywood over it. That may be problem. Any good fix or am I doomed?

jestor68 · Jul 27, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

I'm still associating the name Skeeter with bass boats. Is this a bass boat? 15.5 ft fiberglass boat is not much of a description.

It's common for a bass boat to be tail heavy, and harder to plane.

Manster2266 · Jul 27, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Yes It is a bass boat

Texasmark · Jul 27, 2012

Re: Planeing problems

Bass boats? I had a Ranger with a bass boat hull and the weight associated with the brand with a 115 Merc tower. It could pop me up on a slalom and run me as fast as I could ski and when fishing have 50 mph in sight. Hole shot was accented by ports in the prop. My gearbox and my prop was either a 19 or 21P Laser. His boat ought to scream.

Planeing problems

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