First Splash
 

Took Old School out this afternoon for the first time, motor runs like a top, the wind was horrible and all the boats were coming in as I went out. Bad chop, big swells. Boat did good a lot drier than my old CC. Of course I did not bring the enclosure because I wanted to check RPM's after my tune up. In the wind and chop the motor got to 5300 RPM. There definetly is a problem though, if you try to trim the motor up at all in a good chop and get going about 2o mph the prop ventilates as it goes over the swells. Could not trim or do anything about it. It is a 115 Johnson and weighs very little and the Armstrong bracket is mounted at least 2 inches to high from what I can see. I have one more hole I can go down on the mount but don't believe it will be enough. I either need a much heavier motor or some other way of lowering the motor on the bracket anyone got any ideas ???

Re: First Splash
 

When in a big chop I tilt all the way down to get that nose plowing thur the water!! Not up for the very reason you say.

Well you can try a bigger prop to see if that will give you some more push??

115 is under powered IMO, But ok if you are not pushing it.

Were is the cavatation plate lining up on the hull?? It needs to be even eith the very bottom of the boat were the drain plug goes.
If not then try going down the one hole, if thats not enough then you will need a Jack plate or something to get it down there.
Is the motor the right shaft leanth for the boat?? older was 20" and the newer in 25"
Someone will chine in and say what year they switched.

But hey you got out there and she moves and runs great, and thats Great news!! The rest will come!

Re: First Splash
 

Thanks MJ, went out and measured, it appears I have a 25" shaft. I measured the keel line as best I can and it appears the ventilation plate is about 4" above that line. I went to the web and got mounting instructions for the Armstrong and they say you need to raise the motor approx 2.5" above that line for a 30" bracket. So I am at least 2" too high. I have one more hole on the motor I can go down, about 3/4 " maybe that will help. If not I might be able to drill new mounting holes from what I can see in the bracket and seal up the old ones. I have to do more checking because I have so much positive floatiation in that boat and I was flying solo today. Put a couple more guys and a cooler of ice and it may be a non issue

Re: First Splash
 

well I did not follow the direction's when I added my bracket :o
What I did is mesured the 25" from the plate to the mounting bracket, then I mesured the bracket on the boat so that the motor when hanging would be right in line with the bottom of the boat.

I have had no problems, was it the right thing to do?? But I like it!!

175 yamaha weights in at 390# and the full swim platform bracket weights in at 125 total 515#

Re: First Splash
 

MJ your boat and mine ride lower in the water. *Willy how much do you weigh? *Glad you got out on the water. *You'll fine the answer. *Good Luck! *Bill Mc *;D

Re: First Splash
 

Hey Mac, I weigh 230, and I think the motor weight is an issue, being a 4 cyl. If I had my old Merc 150 on it , it would sit 2 inches lower in the water. Put it this way, if I get water in the cockpit it does not run to the back unless I'm moving. The smaller motor and the floatation of the bracket are the reasons that the normal formula for installing the bracket are issues. Plus it was installed well but measured wrong, it is at least 4" above keel line if not a little more, that is too much. This winter I think I will drop it down to the last hole and gain about 3/4" more drop. I that does not work I will have to redrill the mounting holes

Re: First Splash
 

As it stands now I cannot trim the motor up at all unless it is real smooth water, which I never seem to get

Re: First Splash
 

But the good news is that the motor after tune up and w/o the enclosure does get close to max rpm which was a concern I had from the sea trial with Fillet. I was up to 5300 and I was in a horrible chop and wind so it should do max under normal conditions. And it puches that big boat pretty well, I was surprised how quick it jumped out ;D

Re: First Splash
 

Anyone know does the armstrong bracket come pre drilled with the motor mount holes on tha back plate or do you do that when you install them

Re: First Splash
 

Bump

Re: First Splash
 

all the brackets come perdrilled, all you have to do is measure and install.

Re: First Splash
 

Thanks MJ do you think it is feasable if I have the room on the bracket and clearance from the engine controls to drill out new wholes an inch or so lower ?

Re: First Splash
 

you will have to look at the thickness of the metal, I am not familiar with Armstrong brackets.

My Yamaha would not be flush against the bracket if I went down at all, it needs to hook over the top. I am sure yours it the same way??

So you won't be able to down any more then the motor will allow.

Hate to say it but if you can't come up with away to make it work like it is, then you are going to have to remove the bracket and fix the mounting holes and then redrill the hull and remount the bracket were it belongs.

Re: First Splash
 

Looks like my Johnson has at least a couple of inches I could go down on before any clearance problem. But I would have to relocate factory holes down an inch. They look like they are just drilled into the plate like you would drill into a transom

Re: First Splash
 

Well hopefully you will have what you need.

Re: First Splash
 

The tech from Armstrong just called me back. He figured out for my boat that the cavitation plate is approx 2" too high. He said that if I had a 150 hp on it it would be sitting just about perfect. The holes are drilled at the factory but he said he has seen them drilled out lower and that it is not an issue as long as it is done well and measured right. So if I drop the engine to the last hole ( approx 3/4" ) and it still ventilates I can re drill for another 1". He also said that even though 3/4" does not seem like alot it can make all the diffrence, and that I want the plate as high in the water as I can get w/o ventilation as it adds performance. Whodda thunk.
Either that or I go and buy that Yamaha 150 I've been dreaming about ;D

Re: First Splash
 

what I don't understand is if you have a 25" shaft 115 and a 24" 150 they are both going to end up in the same place??

Re: First Splash
 

I don't understand MJ what do you mean a 24" 150, don't they have a 25" shaft too. The difference I was talking about was in weight on the end of the bracket, the 115 weighs approx 300 lbs and the 150 six weighs around 425-460 depending on which one. That would make the boat sit lower in the water 1-2"s

Re: First Splash
 

sounds like the boat would sit lower given the add'l weight of a 150...but...won't you still be 4" above the keel

Re: First Splash
 

?

Re: First Splash
 

Yes Phester it would. But with the armstrong bracket it is set 1" high for every foot back off the transom the bracket runs. I n my case it sits 30" back so it is supposed to be about 2.5" higher. Mine is approx 4-4.5" high. With the heavier engine that 2.5" would likely be a moot point because the stern would sit lower, but with a 1999 115 4cyl and the positive flotation that bracket gives those 2.5" are causing problems

Re: First Splash
 

Willy,
I would question just how much the situation you describe*will improve with a heavier engine. *The stern might sit 2" lower with the 150 when the boat is "at rest" .... *but that is not the critical time for you. *You need the engine 2" lower *... *when the boat is "up on plane". *When on plane, the height of the cavitation plate - relative to the keel and to the water level flowing by - *might not be all that different for the 115 vs 150. *At least ... *that is how I see it. *I am interested in knowing how you make out - *good luck.

Re: First Splash
 

so at the end of the day, you're still 2.5 " too high while under way...like Brian said

Re: First Splash
 

Gotcha guys, I understand, right now I have one more hole left on the engine I can go down, I can also drill new mount holes in the braket. It looks like I would have at least 1.5"s there I can go down. And though I would like to go with a 150 I can't afford to do that. But I do disagree that that would not effect the problem. I think even on plane the boat would sit slightly lower in attitude toward the stern and that would make a difference. I am also installing a 9.9 kicker motor on the stern this winter that might even help a little. So that motor and lowering the engine approx two inches should solve all ills.

Re: First Splash
 

Willy, those brackets are ENGINNERED to specific configurations...you might wanna talk w/ Armstrong prior to redrilling mounting holes...my HOPE is you can, but I'd sure check first...there are props designed to run close to the surface that might help you out, but if you can't get it down enough otherwise, I'm like MJ...might have to relocate bracket :'(...

There is a ''formula'' that says for evey X the foot is away from the transom, it needs to be X above the keel...Armstrong should give it to you...you might wanna call 'em... ;)...

OK...dummy here just realized page TWO!!... ::)...sounds like you're on the right track...

Re: First Splash
 

Had me goin a minute there Rap, good recovery ;D

Re: First Splash
 

I don't know if Armstrong has this available, but some manufacturers have local installers that might be able to help after they examine your installation. Maybe even a factory rep in your area.

Re: First Splash
 

Thanks Seacrets, don't think I will need them, spoke with their tech on phone and he agreed with my take and approach to correct it

Re: First Splash
 

Willy, really glad for you that you'll be able to redrill instead of repositioning the bracket... ;D...

Re: First Splash
 

Me too Rap ;)