proper outboard height

[KCMILLS]

I have done a search but couldnt find my question.<br />I have a 1996 23 ft wa with a 200hp evinrude attached to a gil bracket which sits s few feet from the stern, I have read the plate should be even with the bottom of the transom with this bracket do I run a straight edge from the bottom of the boat and see where I end up on the motor,This is my first outboard and it seems like its dragging and sparying water when im up at plane the spray stream is on both sides of the engine and at lower speeds the outboard looks like its really deep in the water how do I measure the prope height when im finaly going up at plane it looks like the plate above the prop is under the water just right but what do i know.I will be putting a 15x16 ss prop on this week

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: proper outboard height

Yes, you can run a straightedge level across to find out how close the cavitation plate is in relation to the bottom of the hull. Should be even for starters and definitely not below...

 

[Dhadley]

Re: proper outboard height

The further back you go with the motor, the higer the plate can be above the keel. A very general rule of thumb is for every 5" you go back. you can go up 1". A lot has to do with hull design and prop design but thats a starting point.<br /><br />If it a true Gil bracket it'll be back about 28" or so. Again, depending on the prop and hull you'll be up about 5" to 6".

 

[KCMILLS]

Re: proper outboard height

thanks thats 5-6 inches above the level line from the transom?

 

[KCMILLS]

Re: proper outboard height

also i see that i can raise it a couple of bolt holes higher are there other ways to get engine height raised

 

[Dhadley]

Re: proper outboard height

With the motor trimmed in a position thet the anti-ventalation plate is parallel to the keel, the AV plate will probably be about 5-6" up.

 

[KCMILLS]

Re: proper outboard height

I looked at the plate theone directly above the prop it appears to be about an inch higher than the keel is this right? it is a true gil drive

 

[Dhadley]

Re: proper outboard height

Ah! A Gil Drive. OK, that's different than a Gil Bracket. It's newer and definately a better design. <br /><br />Yes, that's how you measure it. At 1" above I would expect it to throw water up all over. Let's get it raised as soon as we can. That's how motors get water sucked inside.

 

[KCMILLS]

Re: proper outboard height

thanks again any tips on where and how to lift this motor i dont just wrap a strap around the pan/motor and hoist do i? i noticed it is set on the top hole and can raise it another hole which will give me about 1 1/4 inches i think...do you have a link on the "how to" and i just bought a 15x16 prop and thinking about throwing a se300 hydrofoil should i wait and instal those two first?

 

[KCMILLS]

Re: proper outboard height

dhadley just bumping this up to get an answer on how to lift the motor thanks