2016 tracker pro guide sc-16

[Revo1976]

So I’ve had this boat for 2 years now, bought it new with a 60hp 4 stroke mercury. The boat itself is ok, aside from the lack of storage, but this 60hp mercury is the most gutless POS ever! I don’t know if it is just not enough motor for the boat, but I do know that it’s going to have a 90hp on it next year, and with as disappointing the 60hp mercury is, I don’t think it will be another garbage mercury going back on my boat!

 

[ahicks]

Well, unless you've done due diligence regarding your "gutless" 60, some of it's "gutless' performance may point to you for a cause. There's a few simple things most owners are capable of handling/checking that can be key when it comes to getting top performance out of a hull.

You mention only "gutless" with no justifying info. Many minds will wonder if you've looked into any of the following to arrive at that opinion....

Like the proper prop for instance. What are you turning for max rpm?

Just how gutless is this engine? What is your top speed when lightly loaded? The factory says you should be seeing 28-30 with that engine. Looks like that info was available when you bought it? You mention marginal storage, what are you carrying with you? Can that load be reduced without sacrificing safety?

What about your engine height? Where does the engine's anti cavitation plate sit in relation to the bottom of the boat? Is it even with the bottom? Below?

Throttle linkage set up properly?

 

[jbcurt00]

A 60hp is about the smallest OB you'd want it, about 75% of max, which is a 90. For many reasons you're likely to be much happier w the perforance of the 90.....

 

[Revo1976]

You are right about the lack of information in the original post, I will be sure to add “posting stuff when irritated” to my ever increasing list of things not to do when mad! Lol
With the 13 pitch 3 blade original prop, it would get about 24-26 mph @5400-5600 rpm but the rpms would climb up to @6500 rpm while remaining @26 mph. I talked to a Mercury Marine technician, told him the situation and he suggested a 4 blade 15 pitch prop. So I bought the spitfire prop he suggested and then the top speed dropped to 17-20 mph @4500 rpm and the boat just refused to get up on plane. So I’m getting frustrated and hence the original post.
So I went back to the 3 blade prop, lowered the motor down two holes since the anti cavitation plate would be, imo, in a more proper location.
Now the only other thing is, this winter I put a larger bow mount on the boat and added a second battery and a onboard charger, adding about 100lbs. Up front. Yesterday I moved the batteries and charger from the front, towards the back of the boat, but haven’t had a chance to try it out.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Tracker is renowned for selling underpowered boats to get customers in the door then try to upgrade the power to what it should be.

 

[Maclin]

Seems like the motor height may be a factor with the 13p starting to catch air, sounds like it is the proper pitch. Or a 4blade 13p. Obviously with the 4blade 15p there is not enough motor, and to your boat it was like going to a 16p or 17p 3blade.

 

[kawakx125]

is it possible your hub is bad and spinning when getting up in the rpm's?

 

[Revo1976]

Well I’m going to be doing some test and tune today, like I said I removed both batteries and onboard charger from up front and I’m going to see where the best location for the batteries and charger is.

 

[ahicks]

Betting you're going to be much happier with your results with a little patience and some testing. Adding 100lbs to a boat this size is never going to turn out well from a performance perspective. It's a matter of priorities though. YOU are the only one that can say if the convenience that 100lbs adds is worth the little bit of speed it's going to cost you. It's a fishing boat, right?

Merc tech deserves a dotted eye..... I'd be asking for his boss to see about getting a refund on that prop.

 

[Revo1976]

I fully agree about the merc tech needing a dotted eye, the prop he pointed me to was just awful on my boat! But the good news is, after lowering the motor two holes and moving the trolling batteries and charger from the front of to the back of the boat, it now gets up on plane, tops out at 26-28mph at 5800rpm. So it’s were it should be at, at least till there is a 90hp on it! Lol