Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

[dennis in pasadena]

Tried this new Sea Eagle 285 the other day for the first time and everything seemed OK but the engine is new so basically idling around first couple of hours & a little more the next 8 (total 10 hr break in) blip-ed it once or twice and it seemed to really dig in and bow was high. I went home and decided to balance the load. The pics show the original load (everything in the rear) and the new plan (as much up front as possible). Boat is 9ft x 4ft and load capacity is listed at 450lb total. I'm about 160 & the engine is 30. Maybe another 45 or 50 up front. Was wondering if maybe the engine should be an inch or 2 lower? Appreciate any feedback.

 

[jondavies]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Dennis,

I would definitely try lowering the motor.

The cavitation plate is supposed to be just below the keel of the boat. It's hard to tell for sure but it looks as though yours is slightly above the keel.

You might also try experimenting with the trim of the motor (using the trim pin). Moving the prop closer to the transom will tend to push the bow down. As you suggest, moving weight around in the boat will also have an effect but I would try to get the motor dialed in first.

Good luck!

Jon

 

[dennis in pasadena]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Hi Jon, Thanks for the input. The trim pin is adjusted all the way forward. I guess after this next trip I will try to trim the motor mount to get an inch or 2 if it still pulls wheelie's

 

[paulpost]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Hi, to me looks that you have everything back wards but is just my opinion

 

[partskenn]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Hi, to me looks that you have everything back wards but is just my opinion

Yea, after looking at those pictures, I'm starting to think I have my motor on the wrong end.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Move the railed seat towards bow the most if possible, place gear at bow area including gas tank, inflate sib's tubes properly or engine mount will flex accordingly when underinflated, trim engine 2-3 holes from tramson out, wot, when on plane water flow should pass horizontal under cav plate for best sib/engine performance. This is a trial & error experimentation, play with trim angle, motor height to achieve this position. What HP engine are you using ?

Happy Boating

 

[emoney]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

It looks backwards. My neighbor has one very similar and The "open" end should be the transom ....but, then again, th website shows it the way you have it??l.

I bet it's because the 4 strokes are a lot heavier than the "specs" allowed for when they came up with them. A 3hp 2 stroke is quite a bit lighter than it's 4 stroke brethren. May hafta re-think the OB?

 

[dennis in pasadena]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Thanks for the input All! Its not a weight issue as the little 2.5 Suzuki weighs a mere 30 lbs (the lightest ever made by Suzuki). I think the little transom by being non adjustable is the offender. Its just a piece of wood so I ripped one with new dimensions
(took 2" off the top). That looks like it got the motor into a better working position but as you pointed out it will be a trial and error process taking all variables into consideration. I guess the design is like a 'double ender' as rowing it in either position is effortless. Thanks again for the input.

 

[likalar]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Nice looking rig! Judging from the photos, though, I'm not sure it's designed to ever get up on plane. It looks more like a displacement hull. That's my guess, anyway, and I'm often wrong. ;-)

Larry

 

[jondavies]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Looks much better Dennis.

Let me know when you're going out -- I'd like to try fishing some local lakes and I'm fairly clueless about bass tactics.

 

[grasswalterman]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

I have purchased the same motor and have the new pro 285 (green) and was how this is working for you. I have not mounted the motor yet, but may be subject to similar problems? Any feedback would be appreciated .

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Thanks for the input All! Its not a weight issue as the little 2.5 Suzuki weighs a mere 30 lbs (the lightest ever made by Suzuki). I think the little transom by being non adjustable is the offender. Its just a piece of wood so I ripped one with new dimensions
(took 2" off the top). That looks like it got the motor into a better working position but as you pointed out it will be a trial and error process taking all variables into consideration. I guess the design is like a 'double ender' as rowing it in either position is effortless. Thanks again for the input.

Is your motor short shaft or long shaft?
Inflatables should only use short shaft motors

 

[grasswalterman]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

Is your motor short shaft or long shaft?
Inflatables should only use short shaft motors

Mine is a short shaft 15", my concern is about the cavitation plate being below the boat for proper trim and performance ; was wondering if Dennis had any success with his 285 after lowering the motor mount. Not being a displacement hull, I guess I should not expect great performance?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Balance Load or Reposition Motor?

That model is just a fast displacement non planing inflatable, the small transom being mounted on top of a bracket will rock the motor when giving gas no matter how well you have inflated that sib. Lacks stern/engine rigidity, a 2.5 HP is a poor performer, a 3.5 weighting same would have been more appropriate. Anyway, counting with a small engine is more fun than rowing...

Happy Boating