How can I get on plane at lower speeds?

[ditch_dr329]

I have a 22' Nitro Bay 2200 with a mercury150 outboard, my boat will jump up on plane easy when I get into half throttle or more. I cannot seem to get on the plane at lower speeds, say 10-15mph. I have tried every trim adjustment I can. Even if I can't get onto the plane at this speed, will a whale tail or something similar put the front of the boat lower to the water? If so, which one do I need?

Thanks for the help

 

[jkust]

Trim tabs are the way to accomplish this. Different props can help somewhat but trim tabs are THE best solution.

 

[ondarvr]

And 10-15mph is very slow for planing a 22' boat, but with some work you can get there, or at least close.

​Bigger tabs will help more than small ones.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Sell boat, buy one with a hull that planes at lower speed

 

[JoLin]

I've been down this road with 2 boats. The first was a 21' Pro-Line with a 175 Johnson. Mounted Smart Tabs and swapped the prop from a 3-blade 19P to a Solas Titan 4-blade 17P. I can't recall the precise numbers, but the combo dropped a few mph off my minimum planing speed.

After hemming and hawing for 2 season about my Carver, I went to my local prop experts. I was running Merc Vengeance 3-blade, 19P props. My minimum planing speed was 20-21 mph, which is too fast for the boat when I'm in heavy chop. I already have trim tabs. They recommended Solas Rubex 4-blades in 17P. I took her out on an hour long ride against the wind and current, and then in the opposite direction. Appears I can hold plane easily at 17-18 mph. I have more testing to do, but results are encouraging so far.

So, trim tabs first. If that doesn't do the trick consider swapping to a 'stern-lifting' prop.

My .02

 

[rallyart]

Scott ^ has the right solution if planing at 10-15 is really important. Either that, or a couple feet of hull extension behind the transom. Trim tabs and hydrofoils will help you plane slower and give more control when not planing. Taking 500# out of the boat will also help.