engine height OR prop?

[1988bomber]

I have a 1988 bomber delta 160 (16 foot) bass boat with an 88 evinrude v4 110hp engine. I have a 13x19 aluminum michigan match prop and my cavitation plate is about 1" above my boat bottom (I have one slot lower that I could go to). I run about 38mph @ 5400 rpm and my hole shot really really stinks with 2 men on board.<br /><br />Here's the problem...I can't trim the outboard up to even parallel before the prop starts ventilating(I always run negative trim). If I drop the engine down to the last slot (about 1" drop - should put cavitation plate right at the very bottom of the boat), will that allow me to trim my engine up further (hopefully at least to parallel)? Also, I think it would probably increase my hole shot a little too?<br /><br />OR could I accomplish the same with with a raker prop at the current height? Anyone had any similar situations? Any suggestions? <br /><br />Thanks for any help!

 

[Solittle]

Re: engine height OR prop?

Welcome bomber - You want to adjust the height so that the cavitation plate is even with the bottom of the hull. It is OK if it is a tad higher but that is the recommended setting. That should fix the hole shot.<br /><br />Other things to try are to have one of your crew sit farther forward. You could also add Dolfin type fins to the cavitation plate. I use em & they are great. Another option is to add trim tabs.

 

[letsbarbq]

Re: engine height OR prop?

Yeah bomber, welcome.<br /><br />Is your boat bouncing up and down in calm waters as soon as you rev the motor up? SOlittle is right, it should fix your prob. I been on a boat that was a little lower then the bottom and it didn't effect anything. A wing or fin is the cheapest fix. I believe there is nothing wrong with your prop.

 

[1988bomber]

Re: engine height OR prop?

That's what I was thinking, but others have told me that my engine is already too low. It seems that lowering my engine an inch will give me a longer lever to pick my boat out of the water AND allow me to trim up a litte more because of the increase leverage. I sure hope it doesn't affect my top speed that much. I think I'm going to try that before spending $$$ on a new raker.<br /><br />Thanks SoLittle!

 

[1988bomber]

Re: engine height OR prop?

Lets Bar -b- q,<br /><br />My boat isn't bouncing up and down, it's just that once I get planed out and I start to trim the motor up to lift the bow, after very little trimming, the motor starts to rev up and the boat begins to slow down. From what I read, I think this is ventilation.<br /><br />thanks for the feedback.