Hard to get on plane

[brownings]

I have a 1991-23 foot Four Winns with 5.7 liter and King cobra out drive.
The problem is that it is very hard to get on plane and once it is on plane if I have to go slow because of ruff water the bow of the boat points up high enough that I have to stand to see where I am going.
Need help
Thanks

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Hard to get on plane

I'd have to suggest adding trim tabs. I have Bennetts and they are great, most use a auto adjusting tab, like smart tabs and have good luck. They are cheaper than Bennetts but they cant be adjusted as the load changes.
If your only issue is bow rise the smart tabs should be the ticket.
You can buy them at the iboats store and they are easy to install, I have heard they Smart Tabs has excellent customer service also.

 

[brownings]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Do you think that this model boat(sundancer) has always had this problem and should I call the boat MFG. before purchasing trim tabs.

 

[burp]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Is the outdrive fully down when you try to come up on plane? Does it stay there (fully down) or does it come up some as you try to come up on plane?

A 5.7L engine should have minimal problems getting a 23' boat up on plane.

 

[brownings]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Yes I run with the outdrive all the way down and I am sure it does not move upwards.

 

[likalar]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Is the boat recently new to you? Is this a new problem? The reason I ask is that I'm wondering if you changed something lately. Have you added any extra weight in the stern or removed any weight from the bow (like storing heavy anchors and chain in a new spot near the stern). Also, is there any possibility of extra water in the bilge? Have you changed to a different size prop lately?
As far as going slow in rougher water....you are probably going too slow to be on plane, but too fast for the boat to ride level. On most planing hulls, it's normal for the bow to rise, even dramatically, when at that "in between" speed.

Larry

 

[brownings]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Larry
The boat is new to us this summer and is used in the great lakes(lake Huron)
for transportation to town and back.The boat has a cabin and we load all the stuff we can in the bow.The boat has always done this and is worse with people aboard sitting in the aft of the boat.I guess I could try and add some weight at the tip of the cabin.
It does not have back to back seats just captian chairs and a seating bench on each side of the motor which puts more weight to the rear of the boat when people are aboard.
Joe

 

[likalar]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Thanks for the additional info. When you purchased the boat, had the engine been tuned or inspected recently? I admit I'm not familiar with your boat and motor combo, but your reply has me wondering if the engine is low on power for some reason, or if the drive has the wrong size prop fitted. For instance, if the prop is oversized, the engine could struggle to perform efficiently, not reaching its optimum RPM range.

It might be worth having it evaluated before adding trim tabs, Doel-fins, etc., though these items can certainly help, if all else is up to par. Good luck.

Larry

 

[DC20]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Could the boat be water logged?

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Hard to get on plane

Thanks for the additional info. When you purchased the boat, had the engine been tuned or inspected recently? I admit I'm not familiar with your boat and motor combo, but your reply has me wondering if the engine is low on power for some reason, or if the drive has the wrong size prop fitted. For instance, if the prop is oversized, the engine could struggle to perform efficiently, not reaching its optimum RPM range.

It might be worth having it evaluated before adding trim tabs, Doel-fins, etc., though these items can certainly help, if all else is up to par. Good luck.

Larry

what RPMs does the boat top out at?