Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar rigs

[fxsales]

Hello To All and thanks for hours of reading here.

Just yesterday I got my Zodiac 420 (1991) back from the dealer with a shiny new 50HP E-TEC. While going through the gauges and operation with the guy that rigged it, he stated that it did stand up when coming out of the hole. Previously I had a heavier. older and less torque Merc 60HP 2-smoker on the back of it. It stood a little, but this new motor just scared the schmit out of me. On the first take off the bow rose so high I immediately pulled back the throttle and the transom went under water for a second (becuase it was so vertical.)

If I hand't had the black anchor on there previously I might have expected this, but know it cant be safe.
The merc had a hydrofoil, but I can't imagine it making enough difference. I use this boat alone a lot, so it is rear weighted. I made sure the trim was all the way down, as I thought it was up the bow rose so high.

I know I cannot be the first to rig this boat with this engine.
Obviously I'm taking it back to the dealer, but wanted to ask for advice or other folks who have experienced this,

1991 Zodiac 420 center console
2013 Evinrude ETECw with SS prop

Thanks
John

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Take some pictures of how the engine is mounted on the transom...

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Smart tabs...

 

[ssobol]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Don't go to WOT from a standstill. Open the throttle more gradually.

Also, make sure you have the right engine length on the motor leg. My Zodiac came with a long leg when it should have a short one.

50 horse engines are harder to find in the short version.

 

[Peter_C]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Yes the hydrofoil makes that big of a difference.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Trim tabs, smart tabs, or any kind of fin on the cavitation plate will help. Shifting weight forward in the boat will help. But, putting the correct prop on the boat is the smartest thing to do. Go up in prop pitch.

 

[fxsales]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Thank you all for the replies. In the interim after speaking with the rigger and Evinrude specialist at the dealer, they are going to try a set of wedges to give the engine a little more tuck. I really want to avoid "hydrofoils" (i.e.Stingray) and there is not enough room to install the "smart tabs" that the dealer has without removing my transducer. We'll see how that works. I don't want to sacrifice top end. The boat goes from 0-23 in two seconds, it just hate abrupt rise of the bow that is scary. SSOBOL, what do you mean by "leg". It is a stock 50hp with a 20" shaft.
Also, gradual accelleration only makes the trait worse. I still get the same amount of rise and takes longer to be able to see what's in front of me.
FWIW, when the rigging tech took the boat on its prop fitting rides he took another passenger and the rise was not nearly as dramatic. The problem is, I use the boat alone as much as I do with a passenger.

Again, thank you! i'll update with the new solution, and if i can figure out how to get an image on here, will provide pictures.
John

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

if i can figure out how to get an image on here, will provide pictures.
John

This will help;
http://forums.iboats.com/non-boating-technical-topics/how-posting-pictures-videos-533219.html

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Zodiac 420 with E-TEC 50 doing wheelies out of the hole Need advice from similar

Check wether you have a long shaft mounted in a short shaft transom.You need to have that engine sitting at the correct transom height to begin with. What's you transom height to lower keel distance in straight line. Is your 420 sib a black heavy duty with alum panel flooring ? A 30 or max 40 HP would have been more than optimum specially if boating solo or with mate.

Happy Boating