Help - new bass boater, engine or planing issues.

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

1600, I have an 18' aluminum Tracker (probably around the same weight as your 16' fiberglass, glass boats are usually a little heavier than aluminum) with a 115 on the back. I have a 13-1/4 x 20 stainless prop. I have had the same difficulty in getting on plane on a couple of occasions. Both of those times, the boat was seriously overloaded with fat fishermen, and 350 lbs of livewell water.

Your prop is one inch higher than mine, which would make it slightly harder to get out of the hole, on a similarly sized motor, like you have. Is your motor older; i.e. maybe not cranking out a true 115 hp anymore?

Did you have the livewell(s) full when you had the problem?

I still think if your boat is rated for 115 hp it should get up on plane, even if loaded a bit...just thought I'd throw some maybe's out there.

nofear, you never fail to crack me up.