Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Npitocco on 07/22/21 - 7:42 PM

My first boat. I can't get it to plane - bow does not come down. I replaced fuel line, fuel filter, primer bulb and gas. Every once and a while the bow does drop and the boat flies. What am I doing wrong or is this an engine problem. Thanks!

Posted by butchdavis on 07/23/21 - 7:59 AM

Your engine trim may need adjustment. Because this is your first boat it may be useful for you to bring an experienced friend along for a ride to provide a few pointers.

After your engine has been warmed up trim it in fully. Next give it full throttle until your boat is on plane. Next trim it out very slowly until the hull begins to oscillate up and down at the bow. Very slowly trim the engine in until the oscillation stops. If you are uncomfortable with the boats speed very slowly pull back on the throttle until you are satisfied. If you sense your boat "falling" off plane adjust your throttle or trim until you regain plane.

When you make sharp turns it may be necessary to adjust trim in and/or throttle until the boat is on plane again.

Learning the relationship between throttle and trim takes a few hours. As you use your boat the needed actions become automatic. It's a little like learning to drive a car. Practice will result in expert boat handling.

Edited by butchdavis on 07/23/21 - 8:00 AM

Posted by Npitocco on 07/23/21 - 6:07 PM

Thank you for your quick response - and advice - I replaced the spark plugs today and tried what you suggested - I can't get the engine above 3000 rpm - so it doesn't plane. Any ideas. Could it be the safety switch?

Posted by sbk440 on 07/23/21 - 8:33 PM

What type of motor and horsepower do you have. I have a 2004 Sport 130 with a 40hp 2-stroke and am around 5500 rpm at full throttle, which is in the typical neighbourhood for outboards at wide open throttle.

Posted by NShoreMA on 07/24/21 - 6:31 AM

What motor and how much weight is in the boat? They’re sensitive to weight and if several people they might have to move forward. Can the motor ever get above 3000 rpm?

Posted by butchdavis on 07/24/21 - 6:55 AM

Yes, we need to know the engine make and HP. It would also be useful to post any numbers stamped into the propeller to help identify it. A picture of the boat on it's trailer from the rear would also be useful.

Is the propeller in good condition with no chips or dents?

Posted by Npitocco on 07/24/21 - 9:42 AM

NShoreMA wrote:
What motor and how much weight is in the boat? They’re sensitive to weight and if several people they might have to move forward. Can the motor ever get above 3000 rpm?

Mercury 40 hp 4 stroke - just me in the boat.

Posted by Npitocco on 07/24/21 - 9:48 AM

sbk440 wrote:
What type of motor and horsepower do you have. I have a 2004 Sport 130 with a 40hp 2-stroke and am around 5500 rpm at full throttle, which is in the typical neighbourhood for outboards at wide open throttle.

I have a 2007 Sport 130 with a 40hp 4-stroke and can idle at 5500+ rpm - but when I get it in gear I can get past 3000rpm.

Posted by Npitocco on 07/24/21 - 9:59 AM

butchdavis wrote:
Yes, we need to know the engine make and HP. It would also be useful to post any numbers stamped into the propeller to help identify it. A picture of the boat on it's trailer from the rear would also be useful.

Is the propeller in good condition with no chips or dents?

I believe that the propeller is fine.

Posted by CaptCol on 07/25/21 - 5:44 AM

#10

The boat tends to be tail heavy at maximum weight if most of the weight is centered on the main bench area or closer to the engine. The motor trim should be full nose down when trying to accelerate. Safely, have someone sit up near the front of the boat. See if the boat will plane out, and what RPM does the motor reach. If you can’t get above 3000RPM I would check your fuel tank vent being full open.
I had a 19 foot center console that acted just like what you are describing, it was because my 400+ pound passenger was in the back of the boat, moved him forward, boat planed out and accelerated normally.

Edited by CaptCol on 07/25/21 - 5:46 AM

Posted by NShoreMA on 07/25/21 - 6:25 AM

#11

I have a 2006 130 with a new Merc 40. With just me it will jump onto plane. With 4 people in the boat it will still plane fine. I did switch to a 4 blade 11 pitch prop to make it easier to plane loaded though. Can pull a tube or skier even with that prop no problem.

Start with making sure you’re trimmed all the way down. Make sure all weight is as far forward as possible. Switch to 6 gallon tank under the seat if you haven’t already. Under forward bench is even better. Battery under the seat.

Fuel tank vent is a good idea. Make sure opened. Other possibility is it’s just propped wrong. What prop is on there?

Posted by Phil T on 07/25/21 - 12:44 PM

#13

Launch the boat and take a video with your phone. Show how the engine starts, how it idles.

Pause.

Show the boat going slow, then accelerate as quick as possible.

Upload the video and share the link.

If you need help with technology, click on my name and send me an email.

Posted by Npitocco on 07/31/21 - 6:42 PM

#17

Phil T wrote:
Launch the boat and take a video with your phone. Show how the engine starts, how it idles.

Pause.

Show the boat going slow, then accelerate as quick as possible.

Upload the video and share the link.

If you need help with technology, click on my name and send me an email.

Posted by Npitocco on 07/31/21 - 6:48 PM

#18

NShoreMA wrote:
I have a 2006 130 with a new Merc 40. With just me it will jump onto plane. With 4 people in the boat it will still plane fine. I did switch to a 4 blade 11 pitch prop to make it easier to plane loaded though. Can pull a tube or skier even with that prop no problem.

Start with making sure you’re trimmed all the way down. Make sure all weight is as far forward as possible. Switch to 6 gallon tank under the seat if you haven’t already. Under forward bench is even better. Battery under the seat.

Fuel tank vent is a good idea. Make sure opened. Other possibility is it’s just propped wrong. What prop is on there?

13 pitch 73136A40P

Posted by Npitocco on 07/31/21 - 6:50 PM

#19

CaptCol wrote:
The boat tends to be tail heavy at maximum weight if most of the weight is centered on the main bench area or closer to the engine. The motor trim should be full nose down when trying to accelerate. Safely, have someone sit up near the front of the boat. See if the boat will plane out, and what RPM does the motor reach. If you can’t get above 3000RPM I would check your fuel tank vent being full open.
I had a 19 foot center console that acted just like what you are describing, it was because my 400+ pound passenger was in the back of the boat, moved him forward, boat planed out and accelerated normally.

Fuel tank vent is open.

Posted by butchdavis on 08/01/21 - 8:18 AM

#20

From the first photo I believe the engine may be mounted too low. I would raise the engine up two holes and try again. That is extremely easy to do and costs nothing with the exception of a little new caulk around the mounting bolts. It can be done on your driveway with the boat on it's trailer. The tongue must be disconnected from the tow vehicle. Raise the trailer tongue with the engine tilted down until the skeg just touches a 2X4 piece of lumber. Loosen the mounting bolts and remove the two bolts in the round holes. Slowly raise the trailer tongue until the mounting holes line up with the transom holes two holes higher than before. Recaulk the bolts and tighten them to the proper torque setting. Tighten the bolts in the groove. test the boat.

Posted by Npitocco on 08/04/21 - 5:25 PM

#21

butchdavis wrote:
From the first photo I believe the engine may be mounted too low. I would raise the engine up two holes and try again. That is extremely easy to do and costs nothing with the exception of a little new caulk around the mounting bolts. It can be done on your driveway with the boat on it's trailer. The tongue must be disconnected from the tow vehicle. Raise the trailer tongue with the engine tilted down until the skeg just touches a 2X4 piece of lumber. Loosen the mounting bolts and remove the two bolts in the round holes. Slowly raise the trailer tongue until the mounting holes line up with the transom holes two holes higher than before. Recaulk the bolts and tighten them to the proper torque setting. Tighten the bolts in the groove. test the boat.

I believe the engine is in the correct location please see photos below.

Edited by Npitocco on 08/04/21 - 5:39 PM

Posted by Npitocco on 08/04/21 - 6:39 PM

#24

Phil T wrote:
I think the engine is not running correctly.

Please capture a video showing the boat in the water as requested.

I captured a video - having trouble uploading it - filesize to large ...

Posted by butchdavis on 08/05/21 - 7:13 AM

#26

I assume the figure in your post 21 is from an owner's manual? I won't disagree with the manual although in my experience the recommended mounting height is sometimes too conservative.

I suggested raising the motor because it is one of the few virtually free methods to change/improve boat performance and can be done in only a few minutes with minimum exertion by two people. It is also a method I've used a time or two with good effect.

Perhaps, as Phil suggests, the engine is not running properly. The video should provide some useful information.

Posted by Npitocco on 08/05/21 - 11:49 AM

#27

butchdavis wrote:
I assume the figure in your post 21 is from an owner's manual? I won't disagree with the manual although in my experience the recommended mounting height is sometimes too conservative.

I suggested raising the motor because it is one of the few virtually free methods to change/improve boat performance and can be done in only a few minutes with minimum exertion by two people. It is also a method I've used a time or two with good effect.

Perhaps, as Phil suggests, the engine is not running properly. The video should provide some useful information.

Thanks for the reply Butch - greatly appreciated - from what I have read raising the engine is one way to get better engine performance. I have been looking for a video on how to do that. If you have a link could you please send it along? thanks!!

Posted by Npitocco on 08/05/21 - 11:53 AM

#28

Phil T wrote:
I think the engine is not running correctly.

Please capture a video showing the boat in the water as requested.

I installed a new fuel line, primer bulb and upper fuel filter - and since then I haven't been able to get the boat to plane - I took out the upper fuel filer and the small rubber O-ring was stretched out of shape. When I am on the water in full throttle it sounds as if the engine is flooded - I installed a new fuel filter today - taking care not to stretch the rubber o-ring. I will get it on the water this evening and see if it will plane.

I will post a number of short videos - appreciate your assistance on this ... thanks!

Please see below picture of the old fuel filter - the O-ring has returned to it's normal size and the filter looks like I tightened it too much - I read the manual and it says that the cover should only be hand tightened - which is what I did with the new fuel filter.

Edited by Npitocco on 08/05/21 - 11:58 AM

Posted by Npitocco on 08/05/21 - 1:17 PM

#29

Phil T wrote:
Load it to your google drive, i cloud account, then share a link in this thread.

Hi Phil - please try the iCloud link below - appreciated - thanks!

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_GdebsK26DqfIEWWs?e=JKqA6s

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_GdebsK...s?e=JKqA6s

Edited by Npitocco on 08/05/21 - 1:18 PM

Posted by acassidy on 08/06/21 - 5:11 PM

#31

Have you replaced the fuel filter on the motor. Sounds like a fuel issue. I would drain the VST and see what the gas looks like. Screen in VST may be plugged up and stopping fuel flow. Next I would check fuel lift pump. Revs to 5500 does now mean anything if not under load. And I would not rev so high with out a load. Some thing does not seem right with the outboard. Sounds like a classic fuel problem.
Archie

Posted by acassidy on 08/06/21 - 5:31 PM

#33

What is that tapping sound in the video. Is that coming from the motor? What did the plugs look like? Is it missing on a cylinder? Plugs should be dry right after you run. If that sounds is the Bimini or something. Definitely fuel. Motor might have set up with ethanol in it. Ethanol is terrible when it sets up. It can leave gummy deposits in the fuel system. Is the gas in the tank all fresh. To me sounds like VST screen. Drain it and pump fresh gas through with prime bulb and plug out. And catch is glass jar and see how it looks, put money on crap in gas.
Archie

Posted by Npitocco on 08/10/21 - 9:54 AM

#34

I couldn't get out on the water for a couple days. Perhaps the fuel injector cleaner is kicking in - I got up to 3150 rpms today - but only for awhile then it just dropped to 3000 rpms and stayed there. I did not get the boat to plane. I have posted some more videos.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_GfNdaf...I?e=xayOst

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_GfYv4U...c?e=haoDOc

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_Gf5FsV...s?e=YS9p8R

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhdB9z-TJi_Gfm9oh...g?e=2M3Yik

Posted by Npitocco on 08/10/21 - 9:56 AM

#35

acassidy wrote:
What is that tapping sound in the video. Is that coming from the motor? What did the plugs look like? Is it missing on a cylinder? Plugs should be dry right after you run. If that sounds is the Bimini or something. Definitely fuel. Motor might have set up with ethanol in it. Ethanol is terrible when it sets up. It can leave gummy deposits in the fuel system. Is the gas in the tank all fresh. To me sounds like VST screen. Drain it and pump fresh gas through with prime bulb and plug out. And catch is glass jar and see how it looks, put money on crap in gas.
Archie

I put new plugs in a couple weeks ago - gapped and torqued correctly. I need to figure out how to get the lower cowl off so I can replace the fuel filter and check the VST. Please see new videos below. Thanks!

Posted by Npitocco on 08/25/21 - 2:57 PM

#36

Npitocco wrote:
My first boat. I can't get it to plane - bow does not come down. I replaced fuel line, fuel filter, primer bulb and gas. Every once and a while the bow does drop and the boat flies. What am I doing wrong or is this an engine problem. Thanks!

I wanted to update my post with the resolution - Mercury Service technician replaced an ignition coil - boat runs fine now. A lot of good information below. Thanks to those who responded.