Boat Take Off

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bulldgogamber

Recruit
Joined
Aug 6, 2012
Messages
1
Hoping someone can answer why when my 21' Thompson Cruiser takes off, it's nose is in the air for quite awhile. :confused: I pretty much have to have no one sitting in the back before it finally levels down. We are new to boating & think it may be related to the propeller?? Please Help!!
 
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capecodtodd

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
128
Re: Boat Take Off

Hello
all boats do this to a certain degree. If you have a outboard or I/O how you have the trim set can make a difference. It should be set all the way down when you start and as the bow comes down and speed increases you trim it up a bit.
This bow lift use to annoy me to no end so I put a Stingray hydrofoil stabilizer on and it has almost eliminated the lift. Some guys like them others don't and I'm sure you will get more advice shortly.
For now try starting off slower and work up gradually until you are up to desired speed.
Good luck. Todd
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: Boat Take Off

capecodtodd said:
For now try starting off slower and work up gradually until you are up to desired speed.
Click to expand...
That's an odd suggestion for a bow high complaint . . . I was going to remind him that full throttle is OK. Hammer it with the trim in and go. If that does not work then possibly trim tabs, and also make sure you are getting full power.

To the OP. Welcome aboard!! Yes, this could be a propeller issue as well, but we need to know what the RPM is at full speed and wide open throttle before we can really determine this. Do some reading ion the propeller section to understand this more. Also, you may need to read up in the Owners Manual for your engine/drive combo (what is it?) if you have one. Lots of good info there.
 
Oshkosh1

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: Boat Take Off

I always take off full gas...and full trim down. Oh...and don't trust the trim gauge if you have one. Trim down until you hear a definate change in pitch from the pump which indicates that the drive has reached a full down position.

You want to get up on plane as quickly as possible. The sooner you can get the revs up, the better. Languishing in that realm between a fast idle and plane(the "hole") is no good for the engine. The other option, as mentioned, is to install trim tabs. Nauticus makes a great product called "Smart Tabs", and if you can drill a few holes you can install them easily in an hour. They're the "Ronco" of trim tabs..."Set 'em and forget 'em"!
 
G

generator12

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
666
Re: Boat Take Off

+ 1 on the Smart Tabs. Bull, do a search on the forums for comments on smart tabs and you'll see what I mean. I got a pair and immediately wondered what took me so long...!
 
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