Bow Lifting

[BigWeakSauce]

Good morning! I restored a 1974 Caravelle CIV 19B, Mercruiser 165 I/L6, had her on the lake on Friday morning and noticed when engaging throttle the bow would rise considerably. Didn't get on plane because the engine stalled when throttling above 2000 rpm, so never got above 10-15mph (loose fuel line I believe). Question, should the bow lift at such slow speed? And how can I drop it?

My trim was all the way down, at least as far down as I think I can get it. The gauge still showed about 1/4 inch to the bottom but thats where it stops moving.
Please note Friday was the first time I've ever driven a boat, so treat me like the rookie I am.

 

[Scott Danforth]

bow rise is normal until you get up on plane

make sure that the outdrive is all the way down, mash the throttle, then as the bow starts to drop, start trimming up a bit.

 

[BigWeakSauce]

Do you know approximate plane speed for an 18' boat with the Mercruiser 165? I've read it tops out about 35mph but I'm not sure I want to jump to 35mph with little kids in the boat on an old engine.

 

[harringtondav]

For reference my 17' stern heavy boat will plane at 20 mph with two passengers. It easily gets on top of the water at 25 mph.

 

[tpenfield]

Since it was the first time you have ever driven a boat, it is hard to say what you are experiencing is abnormal . . .

Bow rise is normal until the boat lifts itself out of the water and gets up 'on plane'. With experience you will find out if that is a normal thing for that boat. Sometimes weight balance can improve the situation, as too much weight aft makes it harder for the boat to come up on plane.

 

[JASinIL2006]

My boat will plane out at 19-22 mpg, depending on how it's loaded and condition. Bow-up while you're transitioning from displacement speed to planing speed is normal. If that transition is taking a long time, there are things you can do to improve it (e.g., adjusting trim properly, adding tabs, having the correct prop).

 

[Scott Danforth]

most of my boats would get out of the hole between 18-22mph