Hello everyone,
I'm having some serious problems with my dealer and my new Lowe.
Here's some facts;
1. Merc. motor tests conclude WOT= 31/35 mph @ 5500 to 6000 RPM with 11, 12 or 13 pitch prop...depending on test boat and hole choice of #2 or #3.
2. Boat appears to have "Aft Overload" at all times and conditions.
3. The Manual shows measurement of hull bottom to V plate in parallel condition = flush to 1" below hull bottom.
Here's some problems;
a. Dealer installed a (Lowe recommended) 17 pitch prop. WOT = 20mph @ 4000 RPM. Wouldn't plane or trim w/o porposing. Steering pulls hard to the right. No trim w/o porpoising. Mounted motor in #1 hole.
b. Changed prop to 10 3/4 x 12 Alum. Black Max. WOT= 29 @ 5350 RPM. Boat won't plane until above 20mph, two short bump's on trim button causes poroising.
c. Raised motor to 3rd hole. WOT = 32 @ 5700 RPM. Adjusted "Trim Tab" to eliminate steering pull. Now have constant vertical spray from transom soaking stern. Transom corners @ waterline while underway. Some trim adjustment.
d. Moved motor to 2nd hole. WOT = 31 @ 5600 RPM. Still have vertical spray, also a large wave constantly coming over transom at any speed (possibly caused by top plate on lower unit being 1/2 out of the water?). With zero trim, the measurement from bottom of hull to front of ventilation plate = 1". But, rear of V plate is 6" below hull bottom because of the mounting angle. Parallel condition = 1.5" below hull bottom.
Dealer wants to install trim tabs to raise the rear of the boat while underway. I don't want to alter the hull or use a hydrofoil.
~Is my 247 lb. motor simply too heavy for this little boat? A 50hp 2stroke is 50 lbs lighter. Did Lowe miscalculate affect of added weight when offering the 4 stroke?
~Do I need to lower motor to first hole and reprop?
~Shall we see what happens in the 4th hole?
~ Although, owners manual recommends V plate @ 1" to flush when parallel to hull bottom, (the #3 hole = 3/4" below hull) condition causes alot of vertical spray between lower unit and transom.
I love the design, amount of storage and compact size of this little boat. But, after 2 1/2 months we still can't find a good setup so the boat is fun to use. I'm about ready to contact a lawyer.
Thanks a bunch,
Chucko
I'm having some serious problems with my dealer and my new Lowe.
Here's some facts;
1. Merc. motor tests conclude WOT= 31/35 mph @ 5500 to 6000 RPM with 11, 12 or 13 pitch prop...depending on test boat and hole choice of #2 or #3.
2. Boat appears to have "Aft Overload" at all times and conditions.
3. The Manual shows measurement of hull bottom to V plate in parallel condition = flush to 1" below hull bottom.
Here's some problems;
a. Dealer installed a (Lowe recommended) 17 pitch prop. WOT = 20mph @ 4000 RPM. Wouldn't plane or trim w/o porposing. Steering pulls hard to the right. No trim w/o porpoising. Mounted motor in #1 hole.
b. Changed prop to 10 3/4 x 12 Alum. Black Max. WOT= 29 @ 5350 RPM. Boat won't plane until above 20mph, two short bump's on trim button causes poroising.
c. Raised motor to 3rd hole. WOT = 32 @ 5700 RPM. Adjusted "Trim Tab" to eliminate steering pull. Now have constant vertical spray from transom soaking stern. Transom corners @ waterline while underway. Some trim adjustment.
d. Moved motor to 2nd hole. WOT = 31 @ 5600 RPM. Still have vertical spray, also a large wave constantly coming over transom at any speed (possibly caused by top plate on lower unit being 1/2 out of the water?). With zero trim, the measurement from bottom of hull to front of ventilation plate = 1". But, rear of V plate is 6" below hull bottom because of the mounting angle. Parallel condition = 1.5" below hull bottom.
Dealer wants to install trim tabs to raise the rear of the boat while underway. I don't want to alter the hull or use a hydrofoil.
~Is my 247 lb. motor simply too heavy for this little boat? A 50hp 2stroke is 50 lbs lighter. Did Lowe miscalculate affect of added weight when offering the 4 stroke?
~Do I need to lower motor to first hole and reprop?
~Shall we see what happens in the 4th hole?
~ Although, owners manual recommends V plate @ 1" to flush when parallel to hull bottom, (the #3 hole = 3/4" below hull) condition causes alot of vertical spray between lower unit and transom.
I love the design, amount of storage and compact size of this little boat. But, after 2 1/2 months we still can't find a good setup so the boat is fun to use. I'm about ready to contact a lawyer.
Thanks a bunch,
Chucko