Stupid boat won't plane.

Post by **High Noon** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 7:21 pm

Hi everyone,

I have a Lund wc14 with a 9.9 on the back. This spring I put a trolling motor on the back with a size 27 battery. The thing planes okay with someone in the front of the boat. However, when I am alone it feels like the back of the boat is getting sucked under. I did re-set the trim but that didn't help. So, I took the battery (55 lbs.) out and the plane was back. I have the battery installed in the back against the transom because space is an issue and it's the logical spot for it. Just for fun I tried to move it up a bit in the boat (18 in.) to see if that would help with the problem of the boat pointing damn near straight up at full throttle. It didn't. Here is my question. Did I make the age old mistake last year when I purchased the package of not getting enough h.p.? Do you all think if I moved up to a 15 h.p. that I would be able to plane with the battery installed where it is. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks High Noon

Post by **TLunge** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:24 pm

How's it going hi noon, ya the wc14 is one well built heavy boat, even with a 15hp it still only does 18 to20mph,not enough, I would like it with a 20. Whats the max hp rating ? I forget. The other problem it has is transom height ie. sometimes a shim has to be used to raise the motor to the proper height for better performance on that hull.
TLunge

Post by **Lunker Larry** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:57 am

Hi TLunge.
Back in the old days I had a 12ft with a 7.5 honda four stroke on it. With me, that heavy motor, gas, etc in the back (had to be 400lbs easy) I had to put a cement block in the front to keep it down and it still handled terrible. If I tried to go into the wind or waves the boat would almost stand straight up.
Then I tried one of those fins that you put on the cavitation plate (I think the brandname i used was Dolefin) and the boat got up on plane easy and fast and handled like a charm and I no longer had to compensate by adjusting weight to the front of the boat. It was amazing how big an improvement there was. The 'fins' run about 30 bucks or so I think. I strongly suggest you give one of these some consideration.
Good luck.

Post by **Fisher Dude** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:51 am

Hi T,

I have a WC-14 as well. I have the high transom with a 20 HP 4-stroke. Runs like a charm! I've had two full size adults and 2 children in the boat, fully loaded with gear - no problem. Before my 20 came in, the dealer loaned me a 15hp just so I could get the boat into the water. The 15 ran very well as well (in fact I'd say there is only a marginal gain from the 15 to the 20 Honda 4-stroke). I hate to say it

, but it sounds like you are under powered.

Post by **Fisher Dude** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 8:53 am

BTW - I think the max power rating for this boat is a 25hp.

Post by **mikemicropterus** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:15 am

Drop 2 to 4 inches in prop size and see what that does. I suspect the motor is not getting full hp because of the lack of rpm

Post by **almontefisher** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:55 pm

My knowledge on boats is basically looking for a bottom and no water coming in but I remember when I was a kid we used to load to much weight in the back just so the boat drives like that....That being said High noon is it an engine thing or just how you have the weight distributed...Try running the battery from the front...

Post by **jmikail** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:41 pm

You might want to consider extending the wires and placing the battery in the front or middle of the boat unless you are willing to drop some money for a bigger motor.

Post by **BronzeBack** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:06 pm

jmikail wrote:You might want to consider extending the wires and placing the battery in the front or middle of the boat unless you are willing to drop some money for a bigger motor.

I would concur. I had a 14' with an old Merc 9.9 on it. Add me, the transom mount troller, my gear and the battery and it took a llloonnggg time to get on plane. Never even happened if it was windy. I moved the trolling battery to the middle of the boat and my gear in front of the back bench and it solved the problem in 90% of the situations.

Post by **High Noon** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 3:55 pm

Thanks for the help so far. Please keep the advice coming. Most of the time I have my wife and two kids in the boat with me so, moving the battery forwards isn't really an option. Things are tight in the rest of the boat as it is. The back is about the only spot with room that does't see a lot of hyper kid traffic. I am beginning to think that a 15 is in my future. My dealer isn't sure that the 15 will definitely solve the problem but they are pretty sure. Again the problem only exists when I am alone in the boat. What does everyone think about moving up to the 15? I can only afford the jump to a 15. A 20 doesn't fit the budget. Man oh man there is a lot more to boat ownership than I ever imagined. As a new boat owner I really, really appreciate the help and advice. If we can find a solution I owe you all a cold beverage of your choice.

Post by **jmikail** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:19 pm

It depends on the model of your motor but if it is a 9.9 that only differs from a 15hp by way of the carburetor then you could covert the 9.9 to a 15 easily and with less money than a whole other 15.

Post by **beachburger** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 9:50 pm

Get a couple of the Reliant 40L round blue water jugs. When full they weigh about 40kg. Fill them up when you launch, place them in the boat where required and dump them out when you are done for the day. Beats moving batteries and cement blocks around.

Post by **TLunge** » Tue May 01, 2007 6:51 am

Lunker Larry has a good point, a 15 with the "doelfin" might get the planing to be a lot better, but really that hull would be sweet with a 25hp, sometimes you have to bite the bullet and shell out more $$. Checking for proper rpm's is a good idea also to make sure it is reving up properly
TLunge

Post by **xcal** » Tue May 01, 2007 7:26 am

High Noon;
The fins might solve your planing problem, as well as adding more weight to front when you are alone, but have to agree with T-Lunge. If you can somehow trade up motors to a 20 or 25 withuot killing budget too bad you may be happier in long run. Another thing to consider. Don't know how old your kids are, but when mine were between 8 and 14 they both had hours of fun behind boat on donuts and skiis. They were able to learn to ski and all I had was a 14 footer with a 20hp. Granted once they got older they wanted to go faster and I eventially upgraded to larger boat and motor, but for 7-8years they were more than happy to be pulled around lake with the 20. Anyways, just something to consider. Good luck with decision.
xcal

Post by **Fisher Dude** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:23 am

Hey Xcal,

Don't know how old your kids are, but when mine were between 8 and 14 they both had hours of fun behind boat on donuts and skiis. They were able to learn to ski and all I had was a 14 footer with a 20hp.

When you towed your kids, did you just use the handles on the transom of your 14' boat as the pick-up points for the tow lines? Are they meant to tow something or might they pull-out one day? I've used them in the past but was concerned.

Thanks,
FD

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Stupid boat won't plane.

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