cavitation plate

[boge]

I have a 14ft. Lund with a 15hp sort shaft Evinrude. It moves the boat really well but the bow rides very high out of the water. The cavitation plate sits 2 to 2 1/2 inches below the bottom of the boat. I can move the motor up about 1" with the aid of a spacer board on top of the transom. Do you think this would help. Is it worth the effort? I have put gas tank and anything I can in the bow. I'm really new to this so don't want to do anything stupid. Thanks.

 

[roscoe]

Re: cavitation plate

Raising motor will help some.<br /><br />Also. there is a pin, to adjust the angle that the motor is at. It is located on the motor mounting bracket, just below the pivot. You want to bring the bottom of the engine closer to the boat. This will help to level the boat.

 

[boge]

Re: cavitation plate

I have the bottom of the motor tucked in as close as it will go. Raising is the only way I see.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: cavitation plate

The cavitation [anti-ventilation] plate should be about even with the bottom of the boat. 2 to 2 1/2 inches is too low. This may or may not help get the bow down, but your boat will perform better. An aluminum boat is light and if you're sitting in the stern seat to steer the motor, it's going to be tough the level it out. If it's worth it to you, you may want to consider remote steering and control so you can sit in the middle seat and distribute the weight better. Put a chunky friend in the bow seat and see how it does. A much cheaper option is a tiller extension that lets you steer and control the throttle from the middle seat. Can't change gears or start from here, put will give an idea of how it will do with weight further forward.