Bow to high

[Paul101]

I have a 14ft flat bottom 18inch sides 36 inch bottom type unnone (OLD), That I picked up the spring and i am using a johnson 8hp sailmaster motor. With Me at 170lb, Battery,3gal gas can all in the back. When I started out it did very good<br />but when above half to full speed the front of the boat comes out of the water and the more gas i give it the more it goes up and seams the lest<br />power no you thank is all the weight in the back or the motor that has a long shaft. The Anti-cavitation plate is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches below<br />the bottom of the boat or could it be little of each.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bow to high

Paul - First a big welcome!!!<br /><br />Now when a boat is moving at displacement speed it's attitude is basically horizontal +/-. As power is applied the bow raises and if enough power is available the boat will rise and ride on the top of the water rather than displacing it. It is called getting up on plane. The point of transition form displacement to planeing is called the step. What you are experiencing is the step and you don't have quite enough power to climb up on plane. You have a most of the weight in the stern which makes if more difficult. I think you will find that by moving weight forward or adding weight forward that you can get up on plane.<br /><br />Do that first then start moving your motor higher on the transom if you can. Ideally the cavitation plate should be even with or just a bit higher than the bottom. The reason I say ideally is that I have a 13'er with a long shaft 1975 9.9 so my cavitation plate is way below the bottom. It does not stop me from getting up on plane even with the wife aboard. In fact it is easier to get on plane with the wife aboard due to the added weight forward.

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Bow to high

maybe throw the battery in the front with some longer cables? If it works it works right?

 

[wayne h]

Re: Bow to high

i have my trolling motor battery and cooler up front when i am lone. bring a cinder block with u and move it around the boat to see where u need the weight to get her on plain. i bet u willl find out u need it about 2 foot in from the bow. that is where i needed it on my 2 boats

 

[Paul101]

Re: Bow to high

Thanks Guys, I will try that.

 

[oregonducker]

Re: Bow to high

I added water in those collapsible 5 gallon containers to the bow of a boat with that problem way back when. Worked great. <br /><br />Another possibility is the trim on the motor. I don't know about that particular motor but it probably has tilt adjustment rod on the transom bracket. There are probably 4 or 5 holes in the bracket with a metal rod through one set of them. Putting that rod through the holes closest to the transom will bring the bow down, farther away will bring the bow up. Try that if you haven't.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Bow to high

Paul, There are tiller extensions available so you can operate the motor from the middle seat (if there is one). This puts your weight in the center, should balance the boat more.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Bow to high

Paul101;<br />Your problem is common, and ewasily corrected. Moving weight to the front will change the balance and improve the boat attitude, but this woould need to come out if you had another person with you in the boat.<br /><br />The best answer is Smart Tabs ST780-20 as they will not only change the attitude but improve the performance and handling. check this site and do a search for topics on this site.