Suzuki DF 140's - Page 3

randlemanboater · #21 05-01-2008, 07:08 AM

Cool deal.

snoozer · #22 05-01-2008, 01:46 PM

It could be there is more weight in the stern. There is certainly less in the bow.

It is not me anymore, I have lost 130 lbs since last august.

The water coming over the stern is the ONLY thing I do not like about this boat. And I know how to fix it, but most likely will not, now that I have a 20 inch motor. I bought this boat as a 'beater', but think enough of it now to put some money in it. The fix may be to put this motor on a bracket and build up the transom. Living in the Keys is tough because there is no 'down' time between seasons to do the bigger jobs.

THEFERMANATOR · #23 05-01-2008, 01:53 PM

A bracket will make your problem WORSE! You will be giving it even more leverage, and when you come down off plane you will be putting it further back in the oncoming water. A good splashwell is the solution to your quandry you have. If you have a good splashwell, whatever water comes in will go right back out. Maybe also put your batteries in the bow somewhere. You need to move your CG furthur forward to keep the water off the stern with a 20" shaft. If you had a 25" shaft that would be different.

snoozer · #24 05-06-2008, 06:08 AM

Very True.
I did not want to sink any money into this hull untill I decided wether I liked or not.
But it has worked out to be a a fine boat for the Keys and the type of 'playing in the water' I do.
The stone crab pots are on the hard now for the off season, so the boat will come out next week for a bottom job and oil change. The splash well on this one needs some attention to stop some leaks. I'll look at moving the batteries, but I am not optomistic that just moving them will do a lot.

A suzuki note: I have a 18 pitch wheel on this one. I hauled in ten pots at a time (all in the bow, 500 extra lbs) and the boat planed out at 4000 and was just a knot off her usual speed. I never run WOT, and seldom as fast as 5000 rpms. today we will be in the gulf, looking at lobster holes.

randlemanboater · #25 05-06-2008, 07:48 AM

Notice how many times snoozer rubs it in that he lives in the Keys?

Just kidding snoozer, I'd brag about it too.

Snoozer, I think you would do well to switch to a 19 or 20 pitch prop, I am running a 21 pitch and it works good for me (even when loaded up with a bunch of people/weight), and brings down the RPM's considerably. I tried a 17 and an 18 pitch when I first got the motor and they were way too little pitch.

I was running a 19 pitch and it was ok, but still spun higher than I wanted. You know that sweet spot in the RPM's where the motor sounds happy, I was always just above that with the 19 when cruising around 25 mph.

I'm with you, I rarely run WOT, infact the only time I ever have with this motor was to check top speed with the different props.

THEFERMANATOR · #26 05-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Living in the KEYS isn't all that you would expect it to be RANDLEMAN. I did it for awhile and it got old quicker than you think. The average person is lucky to last 6 months down there before you leave.

randlemanboater · #27 05-06-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

Living in the KEYS isn't all that you would expect it to be RANDLEMAN. I did it for awhile and it got old quicker than you think. The average person is lucky to last 6 months down there before you leave.

I still wouldn't mind giving it a shot.

Slightly_Twisted · #28 05-06-2008, 02:32 PM

I have the 20 in transom on a CC also. This past winter I moved my two battries forward to just infront of the console and before the fishing platform. I've only had the boat in once to change out my bunk brackets, but I noticed a BIG differance in how she sat in the water. I've only been at headway speed and just above so I can't tell you how the proformance is, but it has to be better balanced then before.

I got new cable off ebay for half price about 1.60 a foot and ran the cable in the void space between the outter hull and the cap. It was no problem at all. Since I put my battry switch under the console front seat I think it took 40 feet of cable, but you could do it with less if you try and fish it though with your controls and depending on where you switch is.

snoozer · #29 05-06-2008, 08:14 PM

Sorry Randle,
I am told what an insensitive pig I am a lot, so it must be true.

I am from Cape May NJ, and used to fish in the bay. The wave sets are different down here, it is roughter than I thought it would be. The flare on this V-20 keeps me dryer than I thought I would be. So I am plesantly surprised.

I do have too much weight aft in the boat; I looked today. It is due for some yard time and maintaince. I'll see what I can do.

On the Keys: This place is not for everyone. I have been here four years and I have seen them come and seen them go. It is very expensive to live here if you must work. Rents are high and prices higher. Insurance is untouchable for wind or water damage. Everone needs two jobs to stay even. Wages are low and so are the brows of the people who can afford to buy a house here now (this can't include me as I live on a boat).
But the water is clear most of the year, the reef is still full of fish, temp is warm. Let me recap; clear water, fish, warm, yep that's it. I am a very lucky sob, and I know it.
I guess that is bragging a bit, But anyone can come on down and try it. Any job that there is up north, there is one like it here.

THEFERMANATOR · #30 05-06-2008, 08:24 PM

The rampant drug use is the major reason my dad left there years back. He worked at the JEEP dealer in KEY WEST and the guys down there would do lines of coke right out in the open on top of there tool boxes while working on COP cars with the cops STANDING RIGHT THERE! Then there was the high costs(the conch card helped with that a little), and then the massive GAY PRIDE PARADES was a real deal killer for an old time FLORIDA CRACKER that had grown up in old time FLORIDA(where the elite wore white robes). Couldn't take it for but 6 months before we left. He moved up to NAPLES area, and I went back with my mom for my senior year of high school.