2004 Smokercraft Stiletto 162-planing problems

[renfree1]

I recently bought a 2004 Smokercraft Stiletto with a 2006 Merc 50HP 4 stroke, (not Bigfoot.) It came with a 10 pitch-3 blade aluminum prop whitch at sea level planed out in 10-12 seconds but at higher elevations it won't even plane. Being retired I am not in much of a hurry so top speeds of 28 are just fine with me but not planing was a little slow even for me! So I did a little prop comparison at the 4,000 ft elevation and found that an aluminum 9 pitch 3-blade prop planed it out in 8-10 seconds with a top crusing speed of 28 mph. So far so good; but then I headed out to Flaming Gorge for Kokanee and with 2 guys and a normal compliment of beer and gear it once again failed to plane off. It just couldn't get over 4500 rpm's in the hole...so there I stayed and let me tell you it is way too big of a lake to idle around!

I bought the 50hp since it is a relative staple on new Trackers, Fishers etc that are 16ft and similar cabin configuration. The 50hp seemed like a great idea...good price, good milage and best of all it trolls when the winds won't let me use my electric, (ie., no kicker yahoo!) Upgrading to a 75 hp will cost me around $3,000 more (if I trade the 50hp back in where I bought it)...ouch! Question...are there other props/types etc that I should try first?

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2004 Smokercraft Stiletto 162-planing problems

You are fighting an altitude, power, and boat problem and trying to correct it all with a prop. The answer is no! You need more power. Have you been paying attention to wide open throttle rpm during your experimentation with props? If it is reving at 4500 and is not on plane that should be the clue that a 9P prop is not a solution. Check the HP capacity plate on the boat. It probably is rated for a 75 or 90 HP engine. The engine installed should never be less than 75% of the maximum for acceptable performance. It should be powered at or near maximum as you go up in altitude.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 2004 Smokercraft Stiletto 162-planing problems

Silvertip pretty much hit it but lets see if we can save you $3,000 at least for a while.The 4 strokes need to be propped near or at their max rpm rating.
Your setup is critical .Start with motor height;anti vent plate(just above prop) even with the bottom is considered a starting point Raise it a little at a time to a point just before venting becomes a problem.If you have no venting problems now you need to raise it.An inch could gain a couple of mph and a little better hole shot.Trim in (prop, closer to the boat) for hole shot.Trim out when on plane.Weight and weight distribution is critical If tanks and batteries are in the stern move something forward.Move folks forward when trying to plane then balance the weight.

 

[the brawns]

Re: 2004 Smokercraft Stiletto 162-planing problems

I somewhat diagree with the others. I had a 2006 Merc 50HP on my 172 smokercraft Osprey and could do just fine with it as long as I had 3 guys in the boat or less when having 4 in the boat I would have to have someone sit on the edge of the bow platform until we got on a plane. My boat weighs 1040lbs empty no gas, no gear, no nothing and has a 92" beam. I would go check the pitch of the prop I had on it butI sold it and moved up to a 75hp. It makes a world of difference.

You don't always need to be at 75% or closer to you max HP to be good. My max HP is 125HP and I am puching about 38 MPH and planing in almost no time with a 75hp yamaha. Just my 2 cents