65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

[ronrobbie7]

Hi, I just acquired a 65 Lone Star 16ft fiberglass boat in great shape. It has a 50hp West Bend(chrysler) ob that runs great. Could anyone recommend the best setup as far as prop, engine height, ect. I'm new to boating and any help keeping this classic running smooth would be great. Also the fuel/oil ratio and recommended gear lube. Seems to have trouble planing but bow is very light. Thanks

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Check to see that the cavitation plate on the outboard is even with, or within an inch above or below, the bottom of the boat when the outboard is sitting straight up and down (vertical). If you post the model/serial number of the outboard, someone can date it for you and get the oil/gas mixture right. I would suspect the gear lube for any outboard 50 hp or greater would work just fine. If the cavitation plate is right, as stated above, try putting some weight in the bow to get it better balanced. Is the floor soild? If not, could be some water under the floor adding to the boat's weight.

 

[ronrobbie7]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

The engine model# is 50531 and the cavitation plate is about 2 inches below bottom. The engine sits in the trim pin closest to the transom, will moving it up help? Also will synthetics work with this 40 yr old engine.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Being trimmed all the way in could be the reason for your bow rise. Try moving the pin out a hole or two, running it in each position and noting the performance. Ideally you want the outboard perpindicular, straight up and down...not leaning back or inwards. 2 inches is about 1 inch too low, but not bad. Modern TCW-3 outboard oil is fine for your gas/oil mix, don't know about synthetics for the gear lube...I use only dinosaur-based petro products. Back when my daughter was small enough to be a lake rate like her Dad we had a 73 Ebbtide 15 foot glass trihull with a 73 Merc 500 50 hp outboard. Always ran it in the second or third hole out from the transom. Putting a fin on the cavitation plate made a difference too, got us up on plane quicker for tubing, etc. If the trim tab bunch read this, I'll get slammed for mentioning a fin but they work well for some of us. First make sure your outboard is exactly straight up and down, adjust it using the trim pin holes, and see if that puts the nose down...maybe all you need is a little weight up there.

 

[ronrobbie7]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Thanks , I'll move the position of the pin and experiment this weekend. Next step is to move my large father-in-law that I fish with to the front of the bow.

 

[ronrobbie7]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Just recieved service manual for this West Bend ob I ordered off ebay. It says recommended fuel/oil mix is1/3 pint to each gallon which I figured to be about 25 to 1. It also says could be reduced after broken in to 50 to 1(41 yrs should be broken in). What are the benefits to running leaner and what would be a good median.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

If the manual recommends 50:1 go with that. Running richer will just gum stuff up, won't burn as clean and carbon build up is more likely. Put a can of Sea Foam in your next couple of tanks of gas...it really cleans the innards out...no more carbon. Highly recommended for the older iron. You can find Sea Foam at most auto parts stores.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

thats a lot of boat for a 50hp which was rated at the power head, probably equal to a 40+ in todays engines. getting your load balanced (FIL) will help. try moving weight forward. i also like my AV plate even or 1" above the bottom of the hull. also as mentioned above play with the tilt of the engine. have you check the compression on the engine.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Motor setup can br critical. Trimming out will most likely make hole shot worse but may give a little more top end.
As stated start with the antivent plate about even with the bottom of the boat.2 inches below is too much.
Raising the motor as little as an inch can give 2 to 3 mph.If you really want to fine tune it start at about even with the bottom and raise it a little at a time until just before ventilation becomes a problem.Just be sure it pumps water ok.
I have had good luck with foils but they can be a problem and at 2 inches below the bottom i would almost bet it would be a problem.Under most conditions they will sapp a little top end. Usually hard to tell without
a speedo.With the motor properly set up and weight distributed right you could try a foil for the price give it a try.No doubt something like smart tabs is a better solution.

 

[ronrobbie7]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Thanks, Is it easy to move motor up on transom,it seems to sit with the mount right on top of transom.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 65 Lone Star w/50hp West Bend

Some motors are set up so you can raise the motor on the mounting bracket.Others you have to raise the whole thing.Raise it about 1/4 of an inch at a time just be sure the clamp/bracket has a good grip on the transom.If it is a typical clamp type mount just loosen it and raise it and slip a 1/4 inch stick under.And thighten her down.Some do this by lowering the trailer tongue,put a support under the motor then carefully raise the tongue until the motor is where you want it.
Just be sure the trailer is secure and the motor doesn't
get up too far and fall off.