Not enough HP for my sled?

[North Plains Drifter]

Hello all!

New to the forum but not new to boating.

I just bought a 16' sled that has a 2005 Honda 25hp. It really seems under powered as I can barely get on a plane. Am I correct in thinking that it just doesn't have enough HP? I was wondering if I changed props or something else if I could get a little more bump in power and speed.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

Well Mr. Drifter a couple of things. First hard to guess without knowing what rpm's you are getting at WOT. If low you have an engine problem as 25 hp should be adequate for a 16'r. Changing props might help if you have too much pitch but that won't help if your engine is not putting out. Next how is it loaded when you are trying to get up on plane? If you have 4 200 pounders, that will make a difference. And I don't know squat about a "sled" but if it is fiberglass with foam for flotation and the foam is waterlogged - - - -

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

what RPM are you running. what is your weight, what kind of boat - flat bottom, deep vee, tri-hull, pontoon, etc. what shape is your propeller in.

these are all details needed.

BTW, you spelled Oregon wrong

 

[jestor68]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

Hello all!

New to the forum but not new to boating.

I just bought a 16' sled that has a 2005 Honda 25hp. I was wondering if I changed props or something else if I could get a little more bump in power and speed.

Yes, switching to a prop with less pitch would likely help.

 

[North Plains Drifter]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

At this point I have no way of determining RPMS, it does sound as if I'm not on the high end, it sounds as if the motor should go higher. As for a "sled" that is what us Orygun guys call a flatbottom boat. I have yet to weigh my boat because I've only had it a couple weeks now, it is an open 16' flatbottom aluminum Smokercraft, if I was to guess it would be around 800lbs dry. When I took it out there was my wife, daughter and me with little else for gear. The prop is a 9 1/4x12, I feel like I need to change the prop but I'm unsure what to go with. I understand that I should get a tach and go that route but I hate to spend the money on something I'm only going to use once to get it dialed in. Just hoping for a little insight on which way to go for a prop.

BTW, Orygun is just a silly way to spell Oregon.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

you should post a picture. if the prop is too low, it will be a real dog. the anti-cav plate should be just a smidge above the bottom of the keel/transom edge. if your boat motor is trimmed in too far, it will also reduce performance.

you will need to determine RPM, either with a tiny tach or with an optical tach on the flywheel. you can not tell RPM of a motor by listening unless its a low-speed hit-n-miss motor where you can count the Revolutions.

you will need your RPM at WOT to determine if it is a propeller issue, etc. you will also need to make sure your motor height is correct. too many times there is a long shaft motor on a short shaft transom and the complaint is "it wont go" you CAN NOT fix a wrong height motor with a propeller.

you can look up the spec's of your boat here: http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Smoker-Craft_Boats/bp/20br1444

if your boat is a 1648J, then it should weigh 285# plus motor.

 

[North Plains Drifter]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

Thanks all for your suggestions, looks like I might have to invest in a tach. :-( I have played with the trim (no electric) and according to the manual the motor is sitting correct, I will recheck this though. While running at WOT the AV plate is just above the water. I probably did guess a little heavy on the boat.

Again, thanks for the tips, now for a little more research.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Not enough HP for my sled?

... I have played with the trim (no electric) and according to the manual the motor is sitting correct...

This is a trial and error item.

Depending on how much weight is in the boat, and who is sitting where, The correct trim setting will Keep changing.