New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

[jonnybob]

Over the past couple of years I've pieced together motor, boat and trailer. I've got a narrow 14' shallow v and a 9.9. My question is can I flip the nose up so far as to sink the back of the boat? I've got the trim set all the way in and my anchor and gear up front but it still feels like the back is going to go under. I do have a trolling motor and battery on the back as well.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

Not sure a 9.9 will get a 14' boat to plane. Others will be more helpful.

 

[jonnybob]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

That could be but I'm more concerned if it's possible for me to sink the stern with to much throttle.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

One solution would be to throttle up a bit more slowly, next would be to move more weight up front, lastly would be to ditch the trolling motor.

 

[airshot]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

You should not have any problem, with only you in the boat it will climb until the speed picks up then it will flatten out and go like crazy.
I had a 14 with a 9.9 Johnson and it ran very well, I later converted the 9.9 to a 15 hp as I picked up a fishing partner and with the extra weight I needed the extra hp to get me on plane quicker. Some things you may want to consider, I had my 6 gallon tank up by the middle seat and my battery as well, still had a trolling motor on the back with the 9.9. Anchor and accessories were in the front to help with balance.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

You're not going to sink the back of the boat getting on plane. Don't throttle up too slow. The slower you go, the longer the bow will be in the air. You could possibly swamp the back of the boat if you come off plane too quick. Just ease 'er back down w/o killing the throttle. Put a kid in the bow, that will keep it down too. Make sure "everyone" is wearing life jackets.

Another trick when you're by yourself is to move the gas tank as far forward as you can. that actually helps.....

 

[jonnybob]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

Thanks guys, that's the advice I was looking for. I'll be ditching the troller as soon as I'm comfortable that the 9.9 will run reliably with the ignition module I built for it so that will probably help. Sounds like I need to tighten down the life jacket and open it up

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

Thanks guys, that's the advice I was looking for. I'll be ditching the troller as soon as I'm comfortable that the 9.9 will run reliably with the ignition module I built for it so that will probably help. Sounds like I need to tighten down the life jacket and open it up

Now your talkin'!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

No way you'll sink the stern. Our Johnson 9.9 pops our 14' v-hull right on plane, as long as the boat isn't overloaded.

 

[Pony]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

As others have said, with that size boat/HP, where you put your gear makes a big difference. On my 14fter, I kept as much stuff in the bow as I could, and the gas/battery in the middle. If the weight balance or trim is wrong, you will know right away.....mine would porpoise like CRAZY.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

I must have a different minds eye than the rest of you. PICTURE a 14' wooden resort boat that is barely 3.5' wide. Some of you may remember those. made of plywood.

 

[southkogs]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

14' with a 9.9 says to me aluminum or fiberglass rowboat (3 benches and oar locks). We've had one for years with a 9.9 and unless the transom is real low, you can pull the power from hero to zero and nuthin' will happen. trolling motor wouldn't really even matter in ours either. If you can get the gas tank forward to the middle bench as mentioned it'll help some when you're alone in the boat.

We've put a 15 on ours once ... it was a little too much. Dad tried an old 20 we had just to see. I've not seen him scared too often in my life, but his eyes were a little wide comin' back in to the pier. We stayed with the 9.9

 

[jonnybob]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

Yup it's an aluminum 52" beam row boat, real light weight. Small 4th seat up front and the old style where the rails pull in real tight at the rear. The lake down the road only allows 10hp although the boat says it's rated for up to 15hp. I'm gonna take it out again today and see what I can do with some weight forward and more throttle.

 

[Lou C]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

You could also try getting or making a tiller extension and sit in the middle seat. We have a 10' Walker Bay dinghy that we use for a little water taxi and when I'm in it by myself I use the extension and sit in the middle seat. Much better trim angle that way....
If we have a person in the middle or front and one in the back then its level. If just one in the rear most seat it always runs bow high but will not plane with the small size and only 2.5 HP from the 'Zuki 2.5....

 

[jonnybob]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

got all the gear up front including the trolling motor and battery and she jumped right up onto plane. Ran great, that is until I lost spark on one cylinder. Ah well, back to the garage.

 

[eng208]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

I ran a 10' inflatable dingy with a Nissan 9.9 on the back. Want to talk about interesting. I truly believe, with just me in it, opening it wide open from a stop would send the transom under the bow of the boat. Hit it one time and the boat stood straight up! I backed off just a bit and stood forward, feet on the transom! Bow came down and off we went like a banshee! That boat was insane. It was so skittish at speed, any little movement of the tiller would just about throw you out of the boat.
Glad you got your jon boat settled in. You sure it is a 14' and not a 12'? I would figure a 9.9 on a 14' would have trouble planing a 14' reliably. That inflatable could be carried by one person without the motor.

 

[Pony]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

I would figure a 9.9 on a 14' would have trouble planing a 14' reliably. That inflatable could be carried by one person without the motor.

There are a couple different 14fters out there.....mine had a 65" beam. The one in question has a 52" beam. Mine is rated for 10 more hp, and I have seen others rated for 10 to 15 more than mine. His being much smaller I wouldn't see why a 9.9 wouldn't plane nicely. On my 14fter it might not...

 

[gtochris]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

My very first boat was a 14ft aluminum with an OB, I recall sometimes putting a 50lb bag of sand in the way front to help with keeping the bow down when running light. It worked!

 

[cannonman]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

Your making me laugh as I remember my buddy with a similar setup take off across the water with the bow so high he couldn't see where he was going. When I got in the front of the boat it held if much flatter and worked much better. If you get your weight distributed properly, you'll be fine. Thanks for the memory.:joyous:

 

[southkogs]

Re: New to power boats, nervous to get on to plane

You could also try getting or making a tiller extension and sit in the middle seat...

We did that too, Lou. Smoothed out the ride and helped avoid any porpoising.