Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

[Ragamuffin Man]

New to the forum. I recently purchased a 2003 Starcraft Starfish 18' pontoon, with a 2010 Merc. 4-stroke 60 (standard 20"). The shop that installed this motor set it as high on the transom as they could. When I try to trim out above 3000 rpm, it blows out at the surface, and loses most of its forward momentum. Could someone give me a guideline as to how many inches below the bottom of the transom the prop should be located? I'm sure it's too high, but the installation instructions that were in the ower's manual did not specify. I believe there are 5 stops on the vertical adjustment. Thanks.

 

[treker]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

I used a level sitting on the cavitation plate to show the height as to where it is in respect to the bottom of the pontoons(the level is level)

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

Trimming an 18 footer is practically useless. Trim the motor all the way down and then if it still ventilates, lower the motor.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

Engines on pontoons operate in very turbulent water and need all the clean water they can get. Mount the motor as LOW as it will go and go boating. Trim will have more effect -- although still nowhere near that of a V-hull. You have a barge -- not a planing hull so speed will not be impacted.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

The 60 has 20 degrees of trim. A standard transom/motor mount is 14 degrees. You have 6 degrees of trim up from level and the rest is tilt. The motor performs best when trimmed level or down. Trim it up when in rougher water and running at lower speed to keep your toons tips out of the waves. Trim it down and adjust for weight distribution when running at speed.

My little Jetcraft has the 60 on it and it did the same thing and it's not a toon. I finally figured out that it ran just as well trimmed down and if I was in rough water I should just slow down and take it easy.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

I have the same motor on a 20'. It's set at the second lowest setting. Any lower than that, the steering arm rubs the deck. Drop it as low as possible.

 

[Ragamuffin Man]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

Thanks, all you Guys. I appreciate your comments and advice. When I get this fixed, I'll be back with some dumb prop questions. Where I live, I can enjoy the boat 12 months of the year, so I've got lots of opportunity to sort things out. Already mounted a combination GPS/fish finder. Have procured, and will be installing a trolling motor and 4-speaker stereo with powered sub-woofer in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

Thanks, all you Guys. I appreciate your comments and advice. When I get this fixed, I'll be back with some dumb prop questions. Where I live, I can enjoy the boat 12 months of the year, so I've got lots of opportunity to sort things out. Already mounted a combination GPS/fish finder. Have procured, and will be installing a trolling motor and 4-speaker stereo with powered sub-woofer in the next couple of weeks.[/QUOTE
As to the prop, if it's a Bigfoot model, the best will be a 14x11

 

[Ragamuffin Man]

Re: Proper height adjustment on Merc 60 hp

Thanks, all you Guys. I appreciate your comments and advice. When I get this fixed, I'll be back with some dumb prop questions. Where I live, I can enjoy the boat 12 months of the year, so I've got lots of opportunity to sort things out. Already mounted a combination GPS/fish finder. Have procured, and will be installing a trolling motor and 4-speaker stereo with powered sub-woofer in the next couple of weeks.[/QUOTE
As to the prop, if it's a Bigfoot model, the best will be a 14x11

Mine is not the Bigfoot model, just standard lower end. Previous owner transferred the aluminum prop for older 2-stroke 60 motor, so I don't know if it is the best choice (?).