tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

[kyricochet]

i have a 1986 hydra sports tunnel hull bass boat 17.5 foot . i had been running a merc 150 xr4 black max, but recently after the merc shot its wod. ive purchased a 98 evinrude ocean pro 150 ficht . being an ocean pro with the 25 inch shaft a jackplate was a must so i found a used plate for peanuts but its a 10 incher . ive never ran a jackplate before so i dont know how the boat will react. before with mercury mounted on the transom the boat did not have hardly any lift to the bow . ive heard that the tunnel hull was built not to lift much and to get a smoother ride <br /><br />ultimatly my question is with the jackplate and the little heavier motor will the boat lift enough that wind will become a big factor by catching in the tunnel chambers on th bottom of the boat.<br /> <br />im picking the boat up tomarrow and hopefully if the weather is fair enough i might go on the maiden voyage thanks for any advice you give

 

[lakerunner]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

Hey Hydro Hound<br /><br />Just moving the weight of the engine back 10" is going to shift the center of balance to the rear agood bit. You can look for alot more bow lift so be careful with the trim and work your speed up a little at a time until you become familiar with the new setup. It's almost as much fun as getting a new boat.<br /><br />P.S. Watch the water pessure as you rise the engine on the jack plate.

 

[KCook]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

Here is another forum where you might find some help - <br /> Hot Boat Cats and Tunnels <br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Dhadley]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

The 10" should help with lift. Keep in mind that you will be putting the heaviest part (powerhead) of the motor at least 5" higer. That may cause the boat to act differently especially if it tends to chine walk at all.<br /><br />Its odd that you need more lift. Any tunnel design should get plenty of lift. What kind of prop are you running?<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[kyricochet]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

i had lifted the merc 150 up another hole to try to get more lift but didnt realy give a noticable change in lift. it did improve fuel economy but not speed. <br />the boat was setting very flat in the water <br />i had sat on the dock and watched my buddies run it up and down the lake to look at it and it was riding level<br />with the mercury i was running a stock 23 mercury prop<br />im hoping that as stubborn as the boat is about lift that this big jackplate might finally allow it to lift but hopfully not to much lol

 

[Dhadley]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

Which Merc 23" prop were you running? What diameter? If its the Quicksilver there are ones that have more lift. If it's something like a Trophy it should have decent lift. <br /><br />The additional setback will definately change your center of leverage. <br /><br />Look at the bottom and make sure you dont have a huge hook in the bottom. Look at the last 3 - 4 feet of running surface.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[kyricochet]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

i was told by local prop shop that the 23 on the merc was what would have came on it when new<br />the prop dint have hardly any cupping to it <br />i believe it to be a 14 diameter<br /><br />as far as hook in the hull i hadnt realy noticed any<br /><br />im going to try to get in the water this weekend and try so i will keep you posted<br /> the weather here is being a bear very cold and snow flurries this weekend but we will try to bear it

 

[lakerunner]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

Hydro <br /><br />Are you still swapping to the 150 rude? If so look around for a Raker 24 or maybe a 26 prop.

 

[kyricochet]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

finally got the boat out today and was very pleased with performance<br /><br />although the 10 inch jackplate is big it didnt lift the boat to much<br /> <br />when running full throttle at about 5300 rpms i had about 4 inchs of boat in the water motor runs like a dream jumps on plane pretty quick<br />with the 24 raker ive got borrowed<br />gets a little wild in the corners but i need practice driving the new setup<br /> <br />top speed with gps left a little to be desired<br />running around 60 with 2 persons and full of gear<br />but as long as its dependable im satisfied<br /><br />the rude ficht is great <br />it was around 40 degrees today when i turned the key for the first time and she fired with no hesitation<br />i love the fuel injection<br />thank you all

 

[lakerunner]

Re: tunnel hull bass boat. dangerous?

That's great news Hydro. <br /><br />You may pick up a little more top end by raising the engine. What's the measurement from the bottom of the pad to the center of the prop shaft? <br /><br />You'll need to back out of the gas and trim down for the corners .<br /><br />60 mph is pretty good loaded up and ready for a day of fishin.<br /><br />I do like the Hydro-Sport bass boats mines a 1990 18 footer.