Need to plane at low speed

[NoNeed4Speed]

I've got a Crestliner 1850 with a Yahama 150 outboard with the stock prop. It has a top-end of around 50 mph and has no trouble pulling several skiers out of the hole or at speed.

The problem I'm having with it is that it planes around 21-22 mph and my kids want to wakeboard at around 15-16 mph. I can't keep it going that slow. Are there any prop or hydrofoil changes that will allow me to keep the boat at plane at that low speed?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

In my opinion that issue is something trim tabs are best suited for. The tabs can help the hull plane at lower speeds, and that lets you use the drive trim to set the prop angle of attack to keep the speed where you want it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

Wakeboarding is way more fun when the boat DOESN'T plane out! Kids must be pretty young? 15 mph for wakeboarding is SLOW, I only pull people that slow on their first couple of times up on a board.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

smart tabs and a 4 blade stern lifting prop will get you as good as ur gonna get.....

otherwise ditch some weight and or move weight (people) to the front

 

[JoLin]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

smart tabs and a 4 blade stern lifting prop will get you as good as ur gonna get.....

My advice, too. Worked on a 21' outboard I owned. The pair together knocked my minimum planing speed from 20-21 mph, to 16-18, somewhere in there. As smoke said, that combo will get you as good as you're gonna get

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

Wakeboarding is way more fun when the boat DOESN'T plane out! Kids must be pretty young? 15 mph for wakeboarding is SLOW, I only pull people that slow on their first couple of times up on a board.

+1. My kids like it when just below planing speed (~20), when the wake is large but not so wide they can't jump across it. It actually takes a lot of effort on the throttle to do this. Most Wakeboarding boats use cruise control (perfect pass) to keep the speed constant.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

First off, congratulations for being willing to tow the kids slow. Falls hurt less and they enjoy it more. I started my kids behind my old I/O at even slower speeds, especially for learning slides and edge control inside the wake. Second, a speed control like PerfectPass will make your life easier and the everyone will think the driver is better. However I know of no company that makes it for an outboard engine. Dropping prop pitch a bunch (20% or more) puts the engine in a better RPM range at slower speeds and this results in faster response to throttle changes so you have more control over the boat speed for wakeboarding. A foil on the leg can give you more control and faster starts. You would then trim the engine up and out when you reach the speed you want to ride at to drop the stern lower into the water. When you do this you also, normally, want the bow weighted by putting people or movable ballast forward.
It is tougher wakeboarding behind an outboard by it is certainly possible and can produce great results. You do want to run the boat below planing speeds to create a bigger wake.

My current boat is a wakeboard designed inboard.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

A lower pitch prop will develop more power at lower speed, and could reduce planing speed. Trim tabs will definately reduce it some. A lot of what is possible will depend on the type of hull. Flatter hulls can plane at lower speeds. More weight in the bow helps as well.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

I could keep our old Bayliner 175 on plane at 13 mph, but it required near constant messing with the throttle. Not sure I could've held it while towing boarders. The Bayliner only weighed like 2200#, heavier boats displace more water, and that requires a higher breakout speed to achieve planing-

I think Chris above hit the nail with the suggestion of a lower pitch prop. However, I don't think it will get you on plane at a slower speed, but it WILL allow your engine to reach higher power rpm's to help you "plow" at 15 mph much easier and with less engine stress--

--and the kids will LOVE the huge wake!

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

Nauticus Smart Tabs are the way to go...a true "RonCo"-esque product. "Set it...and (everybody) Forget it!".

You'll have no "holeshot" per se...as they virtually eliminate the "hole" and will allow your boat to plane at around 14mph give or take with little bow rise, depending on the 4 "F's"(Fuel, Food, Frosties & Fools!).

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

Unless Oshkosh has intimate knowledge and experience with the OPs boat, motor and loading habits, I find his claims to be w/o merit

 

[southkogs]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

Wakeboarding is way more fun when the boat DOESN'T plane out!

x3 - isn't that kinda' the point of wake boarding? (or at least the reason I get annoyed to no end with those boats? )

Fat sacks in the back, keep her nose high and digging in the water and there'll be a sweet pile of water for that wakeboard to surf away on ...

... and I'll be the grumpy dude givin' y'all stink eye for cuttin' the lake to pieces. LOL

 

[NoNeed4Speed]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

... A foil on the leg can give you more control and faster starts. You would then trim the engine up and out when you reach the speed you want to ride at to drop the stern lower into the water. When you do this you also, normally, want the bow weighted by putting people or movable ballast forward....

What's a "foil on the leg"?

 

[rallyart]

Re: Need to plane at low speed

A hydrofoil blade that is attached to the cavitation plate on the outboard leg like a Doel or Stingray. There are other brands and models than those I have linked here. They act as a wing that lifts the engine and, hence, the back of the boat.
Foils can increase spray a bit at the transom and make steering stiffer. You often have to adjust the trim fin on the leg to compensate for different water flow past the leg. (Usually it is straighter than without a foil)