Having trouble controlling boat

[calvinbabb]

I have a older (1970's) 16' Bonito v hull with a evenrude vro 90. yes, i think it's a little over powered. would adding a hydro foil and trim tabs make it easier to control? I know the weight of the engine makes the back end sit low and upon take off i have to ease into it to try to be able to see over the bow. When on plane i have to be careful when turning as it feels like it wants to roll a little. this is how i bought the boat and the people i got it from bought it from a dealer with that engine. I got it dirt cheap cause they over heated it and cracked the starboard head. I replaced both heads and basically have less than 500 into it.

 

[MH Hawker]

that hp is it rated for

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

Not sure if you can trim the outboard 'in' a bit to get some stern lift. That might help with the stability. V-hulls usually have quite a bit of bow rise before they lift up onto plane.

​Another thing to be aware of with the boat setup that you have is 'chine walking', which is a pretty violent rocking of the boat back and forth at high speeds.

Make sure to wear a lanyard to cut the engine in case you get ejected from the boat.

 

[ondarvr]

There are a lot of 16' boats rated for 90hp, whether yours is or not is for you to investigate.

​Trim tabs may help, skip the foil.

 

[Tony T.]

Does the boat sit on a trailer with roller supports or may have at one time ?

Have you looked at the bottom hull closely where the boat rest on the supports ?

Reason I ask is several years ago we (my wife and I) borrowed a boat from my father-in-law, it was 15 ft fiberglass 60 hp Evinrude closed bow with windshield. The trailer supports that the boat rested on was the roller type and over time it had warped (waves) the hull on both sides. You could not control the boat when you opened up the throttle, it tracked if you could image like a snake crawls along, it was squirrely as heck and dangerous.


Tony

 

[calvinbabb]

that hp is it rated for

Not sure. the Coast Guard tag how faded and can't make it out.

 

[calvinbabb]

:welcome:

Not sure if you can trim the outboard 'in' a bit to get some stern lift. That might help with the stability. V-hulls usually have quite a bit of bow rise before they lift up onto plane.

​Another thing to be aware of with the boat setup that you have is 'chine walking', which is a pretty violent rocking of the boat back and forth at high speeds.

Make sure to wear a lanyard to cut the engine in case you get ejected from the boat.

I'm not a fast captain, I'm a half fast captain. LOL, don't go that fast but getting it up on plane is where i have the hardest time.

 

[Tony T.]

I'm not a fast captain, I'm a half fast captain. LOL, don't go that fast but getting it up on plane is where i have the hardest time.

Ok so your not having trouble controlling the boat, but just having trouble with hole shot getting it to plane out ?


Tony

 

[calvinbabb]

Ok so your not having trouble controlling the boat, but just having trouble with hole shot getting it to plane out ?


Tony

That and when I turn especially to the right the boat feels like it's trying to learn hard into the turn.

 

[89retta]

Check to see what pitch prop you have. I'm thinking a 17" would work for coming out of the hole. For the turning problem . What side do you keep your battery and fuel tank on ? If they are on the right move them to the opposite side. One more thing to consider is if your helm is on the right side it may just feel like its rolling more as your down lower in the boat when turning right. Just the way our brains work.

 

[calvinbabb]

Check to see what pitch prop you have. I'm thinking a 17" would work for coming out of the hole. For the turning problem . What side do you keep your battery and fuel tank on ? If they are on the right move them to the opposite side. One more thing to consider is if your helm is on the right side it may just feel like its rolling more as your down lower in the boat when turning right. Just the way our brains work.

Right hand helm, battery one the right, tank on the left. not sure of the prop pitch. can't find the markings on it.

 

[QBhoy]

Is it a bonito or Bonwitco? If it's the latter and an Ally hull, surely it's way overpowered ? Be careful.
The above being true...would it be worth selling the 90 and buying a 50/60 ?

 

[calvinbabb]

Is it a bonito or Bonwitco? If it's the latter and an Ally hull, surely it's way overpowered ? Be careful.
The above being true...would it be worth selling the 90 and buying a 50/60 ?

Bonito

 

[444]

I had a glastron GT150 15' shallow V speedboat with a merc 90hp inline 6 and it drove fine. It nosed up a lot when going on/off plane but otherwise was fine. My glastron CVX-20 banks quite hard in the turns. In a sharp turn it feels like the water is right there that I could reach out and touch it. Original engine on there, and it's just how this boat handles. I don't even notice it anymore but it sure was a surprise the first time I put it in the water.

 

[calvinbabb]

It may just be me then. I'm just used to larger boats. never had one this small but economy dictated what i can / can't afford. just seems odd to me how it handles.