Question on motor height?

[IBFishing]

Hello,<br />I am new to boats and I bought a 1977 Skeeter boat with a Mercury 1500 motor recently. I am curious as to why they raised the engine using a board on top of the transom. I believe this motor is the original motor for this boat. My question is, if this is the stock motor for this boat why would it need to be raised like it is? Also, when I take the boat out it sounds as though the exaust is not in the water far enough and makes a gargiling sound when picking up speed. Could this be because of the engine sitting too high on transom?<br /><br />Pictures at this link: http://www.apwebcreation.com/boat/motorheight/ <br /><br />Thanks for any help you all can give me.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

Welcome to Red Neck Outboard World.<br /><br /> The picture dosent show how the bolts are mounting the engine. Are all four transome bolts through the transom? It was likely done for a reason, and it probably is at an optimum hight, (PROBABLY), Not for sure. Or they would have lowered it. If you find that it is at a good hight, I would get a piece of aluminum plate made with the plate going under the mounting holes, and a box welded to the plate that supported the engine. Likely the wood isnt really doing anything, just taking up space.<br /><br />Looks like an expensive project, but if you got it right you could have a nice boat when your finished.<br /><br />That year Skeeter was a fast hull, did I say fast? They were light also. Nothing else was very well made though. But hey, we all have to start somewhere, and thats a good start. Actually the Starfire series was my dream boat back then.

 

[IBFishing]

Re: Question on motor height?

Thanks for the reply. I will play around with the height a little to see if it is at optimum height. Also making an aluminum piece won't be a big deal to make where I work. And all four bolts are through the transom.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

If you decide to make the aluminum piece, sandwich the transom and put the top bolts trough it all. Oh, and the wider the better.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Question on motor height?

The cavitation plate should be even with or just above the bottom of the hull. Check the search as there is a lot here on engine height relative to performance.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

Originally posted by SoLittle:<br /> The cavitation plate should be even with or just above the bottom of the hull. Check the search as there is a lot here on engine height relative to performance.

I believe these were a stepped transom, you can place a straight edge along the botom of the boat and then measure to the ventilation plate on the engine. It should be at least an inch above the straight edge and could even be as much as two.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Question on motor height?

Bain't never heard of no cavitation plate!<br /><br />That be a new one on me fella's.<br /><br />Be good to get it right. How about AV plate - Anti Ventilation plate?

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Question on motor height?

How about AV plate - Anti Ventilation plate?<br /><br /><br />Hey, man, like .. who cares!

 

[ddaigle]

Re: Question on motor height?

If its got a good prop and doesnt "ventilate"(correct?) the prop, then the higher the motor, the better for speed and efficiency.

 

[IBFishing]

Re: Question on motor height?

LubeDude,<br /><br />You are correct that it is a stepped transom. Do I measure from very bottom of hull or from the step. I was unable to use a straight-edge due to the trailer being in the way, but the ventilation plate appears to be around 3 inches above bottom of hull and almost even with step in transom. The motor is already to max height but can be lowered 2 inches. I added more pictures to bottom of page at this website: http://www.apwebcreation.com/boat/motorheight/ <br /><br />I will play some with the height when I get the boat back on the water.<br />Thanks for the replies.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

What prop are you running?

 

[danie]

Re: Question on motor height?

In my opinion, motor sits too high.<br />D

 

[IBFishing]

Re: Question on motor height?

I am running a stainless steel 21 pitch, 3 blade prop.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Question on motor height?

Theres a world of difference between a 3 blade 21 Quicksilver and a 3 blade 21 Mazco. And a bunch of props in between. With a Quicksilver prop youre probably about as high as you want to be until the prop gets the least bit worn or relaxed. If its a Turbo, its can probably go higher as long as its not worn.<br /><br />What brand prop is it?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

I agree on the turbo props, I can still maintain top speed even though throwing a huge rooster tail, makes no difference if I trim down a bit. They really hook up. The prop in question is a 14.25 four blade. I cant waite to raise the engine some.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Question on motor height?

LD, which Turbo are you running?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

Originally posted by Dhadley:<br /> LD, which Turbo are you running?

I believe its a Turbo II.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Question on motor height?

Have you tried a Lightning?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Question on motor height?

Dont mean to hijack this thread, but no I havnt.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Question on motor height?

If your not loosing water pressure at max tilt, you can raise it more obviously..