Mercury 175 Sport Jet / Bayliner Jazz 1998

[MKline]

I recently traded for the above mentioned boat. On the first trip out I was impressed with the power out of the hole but soon after hitting 25 mph + - the bow starts to bounce.
I suspect it is a trim problem.... but seeing no adjustments I am looking for info related to this problem.
The boat does have a plate under the Jet nozzle that is approximate 1/4 inch thick it has a 90* bend of about 1/4 inch ( for rigidity I assume)
On this plate the 90 degree angle is pointing upward.
The boat came with no owners manual or shop manual ( both of which I would like to have ) since I have only had the boat in the water one time I would like info from anyone having experience in this area. Trim tabs may be the option but I have never seen a Jazz with trim tabs before.
This is a 15' boat 1998 model 175 Mercury Sport with Jet drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercury 175 Sport Jet / Bayliner Jazz 1998

I changed your title a little, along with removing your email address.
The Sport Jet's are by Mercury, not Mercruiser.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Mercury 175 Sport Jet / Bayliner Jazz 1998

You can buy a place diverter for it, but they are not cheap. ($500+) The other option, FREE, is that you actually DO have control over the trim. Get an allen head socket and a wrench, loosen up the bolts at the back of the ride plate. (the piece you were talking about) Once you have the bolts backed off a couple turns, hold the bolt tight and then tighten down the nut to lock it. It doesn't take much, I would start by backing the allen head bolts out maybe 1 or 2 turns only, tighten it down, and then try it.

From the factory there should be two washers on top of the ride plate. It might be possible someone forgot a washer since those bolts are the absolute first things you take out any time you service the jet pump.

fun boat though! If you don't know the history, either find the maintenance writeups or have a mechanic go through it. Change the stator AND gear oil if it hasn't been done. (cheap insurance either way just to change it). Also, the 175's are a bear to start, I just did a writeup about how to improve the starting dramatically.

http://tinyurl.com/23fhofk

(and yep, mercury, not mercruiser. The engine is almost identical to a black max 2.5l outboard, no resemblance to any inboard at all.)