planing out with manual trim

[sod breaker]

I am still new to boating . i have a older 14 ft richline with a 9.8 mercury. The thing is i cant seem to find any good instructions on the web about planing it out. Everything i find is how to plane out using electric trim. Help. My motor just has a pin with about six holes. So how do i know when im planned out and which hole should i be using for trim? Thanks sod breaker

 

[wrvond]

The boat works best when the prop is perpendicular to the surface of the water. Assuming you trailer the boat,the next time you pull it out take note of the water line. Draw an imaginary line aft past the motor then adjust the motor so it is as close to perpendicular as possible.

 

[southkogs]

... and good ole fashioned trial and error will work with a setup like that. 1st pin setting = "Hmmm. Ran okay." 2nd pin setting = "Seemed to run better." 3rd pin setting = "Gee, that stunk!" - - Set pin at 2. <== as an example.

14' with a 9HP won't be tearing down 30MPH, but you should plane out and feel like you're moving. What is it set at now? And how's it running?

Welcome aboard.

 

[robert graham]

Once you adjust that pin for best running try adding some weight to front of boat ( like a cooler, sand bag, concrete block, etc. to help balance the weight for more level/better running attitude.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

doubt you can get a 14' to plane out with a 9.8 without playing with weight distribution (such as putting the fuel tank and gear up front)

However Southkogs has the method spelled out

my current 14' with a 12hp gale will barely plane out with only me in the boat and the tank in front. then again, Im pushing 210# and the boat hull is #280. 2 people and gear....fugetaboutit

 

[sod breaker]

Set one hole behind center. runs okay but still pushing alot of water with the bow. So better question. What size outboard SHOULD i be running to plane out

 

[CV16]

Try moving it one more hole out. What is the max hp that boat is rated for?

 

[fhhuber]

Friend's 14 ft "square" nose 4 ft wide at bottom Jon boat planes well on a Tohatsu 20 4-stroke, with 2 people and some fishing gear. I think its rated 25 max.

Depends a lot on the 14 ft boat... his son has a 2 ft wide at the bottom 14 ft rated just 10 hp. (almost like a "Jon boat canoe" it has flat sides and bottom but not too stable) You wouldn't want that thing to plane....

 

[Scott Danforth]

My 14' is rated at 25hp. It works better with a 20hp motor than it does with the 12 that is on there. However the 12hp gets the boat to fish

 

[steelespike]

Empty the boat of all extra tools etc. take a straight played along the keel out to the anti vent plate.
Should fit smoothly with the boat bottom.
Run the boat lightly loaded try different settings A 14 footer lightly loaded should approach 19 to 21 mph.
If the boat seems to lay down flat possibly even bow steering would indicate a poor hull with a hook near the transom.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Empty the boat of all extra tools etc. take a straight played along the keel out to the anti vent plate.
Should fit smoothly with the boat bottom.
Run the boat lightly loaded try different settings A 14 footer lightly loaded should approach 19 to 21 mph.
If the boat seems to lay down flat possibly even bow steering would indicate a poor hull with a hook near the transom.

19-21 mph with the OP's 9.8..... dont think so my wooster hellion with a 9.8 only did 25 and that was 7' long

 

[airshot]

I had a 14' sylvan extra wide with a 9.9 jonnyrude that would plane out easily with just me on board so you should be able to get er done! As stated by others you will nedd some weight forward, on my boat this is what worked....moved 6 gal fuel tank right behind middle seat as well as the battery for the electronics. Anchor was kept in front between bow and front seat. I normally sat in middle seat when fishing alone. With a hand held GPS you need the speedo page to get your top speed as it is to difficult to tell exactly when you are running at top speed. Find some calm water and make various runs in different pin locations on tilt. Take note on how fast the boat planes out or how long the bow stays up in the air....you need it to lay down as quickly as possible then take note of speed on gps. On my rig I had one pin hole that was ideal but had to move it out one hole if someone else came along or the water was rough. Before long you will have a reference of which hole works best in which condition. You may have to compromise on the pin hole that works best but sooner or later you will have it narrowed down.

 

[southkogs]

9.8 will move a 14' ... we have an old fiberglass Pierre Marquette from the late 50s with a 9.9 Johnson on it. Two big adults and it'll still plane out. Nuthin' fancy, but it goes. I've never run a speedometer on it, but I'm guessing it's in the 15MPH zone.

 

[Blind Date]

My 7.5 HP outboard on a 12' Lund will easily plane out with 2 adults in it. Is your motor running correctly? Is the prop the correct pitch and not all banged up?

 

[Captain Caveman]

I used to have a 14' but now have a heavy 12' Starcraft. The same 5.5hp motor moved the 14ft boat better. Each boat is different so you've got to figure out what works best with your specific boat.

On my rig I had one pin hole that was ideal but had to move it out one hole if someone else came along or the water was rough. Before long you will have a reference of which hole works best in which condition. You may have to compromise on the pin hole that works best but sooner or later you will have it narrowed down.

Exactly. Small boats and motors are very weight sensitive. You'll need to adjust the pin if you've got more gear or other people in the boat.

I'd also follow Blind Date's advice and check the condition of the prop and motor. Old beat up props don't do a small motor any favors.