Should I raise the motor one hole?

[Hawaiian]

The anti-vent plate is about even with the bottom of the hull on my 16' BW Dauntless. The Honda 90 is set on the second hole from top. I heard the plate should be 1 to 1 1/2" from the bottom of the hull. Is it too low?

 

[ob]

Re: Should I raise the motor one hole?

Aloha Perry,Rule of thumb is to get motor as highest location possible without prop cavitation.This can be water tested after raising one hole at a time and operating boat at 1/2 throttle on plane and performing sharp port and starboard turn maneuvers and noting whether cavitation is present.<br />I run a 15 ft Dauntless with a 70 hp rude and anti-ventilation plate is slightly above bottom of transom using the highest position of holes.What hole setting you determine as your final will depend upon where they were originally drilled and water testing final placement.

 

[Hawaiian]

Re: Should I raise the motor one hole?

Thanks for the tip ob. I'll try to test for cavitation with current set up before raising motor. It turns 5900 rpm at WOT with 16" pitch ss prop. What improvements can be achieved by raising a motor? Better hole shot, top end, over all handeling?

 

[ob]

Re: Should I raise the motor one hole?

You are correct sir.Raising to optimum height will reduce overall strain on motor in "out of hole throttle application as well as allow for higher WOT rpms.Sounds like you're not far from that with you're present set-up.If you decide to relocate motor to different height , insure that after your final move that you reseal the transom bolt areas well with silicone upon doing so.This will prevent water intrusion into transom structure and prevent material decay.