Bass boat not plaining out

[Eabel71]

Ok here is my prob. I have a 95 stratos 258v 15.6'. And a 95 johnson 70hp pushing it. Motor runs out of water fine. Carbs have been gone through plugs wires and coils have been replaced. Boat will plane out when someone goes to front of boat and run like a champ no problems at all. My prob is from a dead stop it will not get on plane until someone adds weight to front then it only takes a second and shes on plane and going strong. Then they can sit back down and all is good. If i slow down she rides good to and will get back on plane no problem really. Its only from a dead stop. My prop is a 17 pitch. Three blade it is dull and banged up a little idk how much diffrence it will make if i put a better one. Also motor isnt sitting on transom its a little up but the av plate is even with bottom of boat so i think thats good. I do trim motor all the way in when i take off to. It just seems to not "bite" the water like it should. This is my first bass boat. It does have a whale tail on it. Could that also hurt? My nxt two things to try are propeller and maybe take off whale tale. I can see water churning up when i try to take off from a dead stop. Motor dont turn off or anything runs fine. Any ideas would be great!

 

[jakedaawg]

Is this a new to you boat? Has it ever run properly? If new does it seem to be in good shape (stored indoors or with cover on). Any soft spots in the floor? Are you new to boating, is all your gear stored in the back of the boat?

 

[Eabel71]

New to me boat its in good shape floor is strong body is great little oxidized but not bad believed to have run strong before took to mechanic to get carbs gone through. It runs very very well once a little weight is applied to front i keep most gear in front whixh isnt much it does have two live wells one in front and rear. Both are plugged and dry since aerators are not working yet.

 

[Eabel71]

Yes im new to boating but but have a good handle on it. Just trying to figure out this last little problem

 

[flyingscott]

What hole is the tilt pin in it needs to be in the lowest hole if not could be stopping your negative trim. Also are you trimming the motor in all the way

 

[Eabel71]

I think the pin can go one lower and yes trimming all the way in to start

 

[Eabel71]

Just sounds like the motor is a tad "boggy" trying to get on plane but once a little weight is added to the front dont take but a instant it planes out very easily

 

[flyingscott]

put the pin in the lowest hole and try it. You can also try vent holes in the prop.

 

[Eabel71]

I will try for sure! Thanks for ur help!

 

[jakedaawg]

My questions were to determine the condition of the boat and wether or not it was water logged. Have you mentioned the poor performance to the mechanic who fixed your carbs? Did he take it for a ride?

Moving the pin lower may help but I am guessing the previous owner had it working with the pin where you found it.

 

[emdsapmgr]

I'd think the 17 pitch prop should be a good selection, based on the length of the boat. The fact that the prop is dinged up does not help it's performance, either. Correct prop pitch depends on the tach readings. When you are on plane and at WOT at full max trim, what rpm's do you see on the tach? That's the number that determines if it's the correct pitch or not. However, it is possible that the 17 pitch prop is still just too tall for that setup. If the engine won't twist up from a dead stop, the prop may be too much pitch for the engine's hp. Try a 15 pitch prop.

 

[Eabel71]

My rpm gauge isnt working unfortunately and the boat isnt water logged its in great condition. I have a video of it on plane running perfect but that was only after adding anlittle weight to the front to get it to plane out

 

[gm280]

The boat is 20 years old. And unless if was meticulously taken care of and sheltered, I think you could be on the heavy side as well with some water intrusion, if not in the floor, stringers and transom materials, then the foam. It would be a good idea to have it weighed out at a scale and then find out what the trailer's normal weight is and do the math. If the hull seems too heavy, you have issues. Sounds like you are right at the pivotal point and any extra weight can do that. When you move weight forward, you are pushing the balance forward forcing the rear of the hull to come up. That is enough to plane out it seems. So check the weight first. It is the least costliest option to try. One other thing, what does the capacity plate say as maximum HP? JMHO!

 

[Eabel71]

I will check but i really dont think it has water intrusion its a clean kept up boat didnt need a complete over haul or anything. Thanks for the ideas

 

[flyingscott]

I am not going to go with the weight theory as when you slows down and speeds up it works fine. Weight in the back should make it drop off of plane quicker and the previous owner had the same problem as he has a foil on it. Check and see if your carb has the adjustable low speed jets they may need to be adjusted

 

[Eabel71]

Carbs have been gone through if i can upload pics i will that way u can see prop and motor heights

 

[pro-crastinator]

Here's an answer that may get some opposition. One of those plastic fin things that bolts on to the bottom of the motor. (fin? hydrofoil?)
Seems to solve the hole shot problem for many. You wont be solving a problem, you'll be treating a symptom.
The boat still may be too heavy, the motor still may be weaker than it was etc...

I have a 1998 vintage that I can relate to your tale of woe. I put on a fin thing and I've been happy as a pig in mud.
good luck.

 

[flyingscott]

He has a fin. My question is because if the low speed jet is adjustable it could be to lean or rich.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Discount the idle jets as part of the problem, even though those 3 cyls have a history of uneven idle. The low speed jets control the engine when it's at dead idle. 650-750 rpm's when in the lake and shifted into forward gear. That means when the carb butterflys are closed. That can mean closed at idle, or when just shifted into gear at idle. Once you crack the throttle even slightly-off idle-the carbs will immediately draw extra fuel from the other carb jets. That's when it starts to make real hp.

 

[Tim Frank]

Needs to fix tach so he can really tell what is going on.
"Sounds like motor is a tad boggy" is not accurate enough.