4m searider nose up!

Dino89 · 18 July 2006, 20:38

have a 4m searider with 1998 merc 50 my problem is the nose up in the air tried trimming but the only thing which works is to get it on the plane then back it off a bit but this can be quite a problem in rougher seas ,looked at a few posts about dol fins hydro foils etc would these benifit and are there any downsides ,or is there another way round this problem?
what is the optimun prop for this outboard
thanx

Biggles · 18 July 2006, 20:55

Dino,

Hi. What layout does your boat have ? Where do you keep the fuel and battery etc ? Also what is the weight of your engine ? Have the ballast holes been filled ?

Dino89 · 18 July 2006, 21:55

i have two bucket seats side by side front , a bench seat to the rear with the battery and anchor in ,the fuel tank is under the front of the boat ,its the fabric covered front with perspex wrap screen
not sure of the weight of the engine but is a big lump compared to the old blueband merc 50s
i still have two small holes at the front and a large hole approx 4inch hole at back
there was only me and my son in it this weekend and it was still nose to the stars!
the only item at the rear is the engine

Nos4r2 · 18 July 2006, 21:56

Post a photo-or several- of it if you can Dino.

It WILL get the nose in the air before planing quite markedly if you've still got the flooding hull. Mine does it.

I really wouldn't use the doel fins. They continue to lift all the time you're moving and slow you down too. I had a set on another boat and they were bloody awful.

gaviotapete · 19 July 2006, 04:02

hi Dino,
i would look into some of the threads on here discussing the smart tabs with the 30lb actuators. lookit ollyit's photos to get an idea of what they look like. seems like quite a few sr4 guys are using 'em and i know they work well on mine.

bedajim · 19 July 2006, 06:44

Hi

I've moved my battery and fuel tank forward and that has helped, also fitted a set of smart tabs hope to try them this weekend

Dino89 · 19 July 2006, 11:15

uploaded a photo read the posts on the tabs and checked out the photos very interesting reading my only query like others is do these present a problem on recovery in rougher conditions also i have a speedo and transducer fitted for the fishfinder will these still fit on
what is the best prop for this merc ?
on the out board itself is the following 12x22 1.83.1 not sure what this refers to and on the prop itself there is a lot of little numbers filled with black paint which i cant make out and the last bit looks like 15p

Biggles · 19 July 2006, 16:07

Dino,

I can't see why your having a problem. Nothing looks out of the ordinary on your boat. Seariders do sit nose up until they scavenge their ballast then they level out.
Have you checked the trim of your outboard. Does it trim in far enough. If it doesn't this will make the nose sit up.
Also can you get good speed out of her and if you do does she chine walk badly. If so the engine needs trimming down more.

Try putting the adjustable trim stop bar down to its lowest level.

Keep us posted.

Dino89 · 19 July 2006, 16:46

thanx for all the replies .it seems to trim down far enough right down almost touching the powertim rams, top speed is about 30 - 35 mph heard the expression chine walk but not sure what it is !
the boats handles fine once on the plane ,but it could be the flooding hull emptying which delays it and keeps the nose up, but in rough seas can struggle to get it on the plane ! may have a try @ making a valve for the rear hole like Nos see if that helps
also enquired about the tabs told 120.00 +vat 7 post for my boat
not going to rush into these though because i can envisage probs with my transducer and speedo sensor!

bedajim · 19 July 2006, 16:51

I've got them on mine give me a few mins and i'll post you a pic

Biggles · 19 July 2006, 16:56

Dino,

Reading your posts again I don't think you are having any more problems than the rest of us with Seariders.
What I have learnt to do to reduce the ballast filling when stopping is not to stop as often. If I can I just slow down so this stops the hull filling with water. This means you can get instant plane.
I must say even with my quite modern Yamaha I can have some problems getting it to plane at times. Thats when I double check the engine is trimmed all the way in and its also why I don't stop unless I have to.
Sometimes I just back off on the power and re accelerate. It just seems as though the prop has got in some bad water at times and needs another go to get some grip.
Hope this helps.

bedajim · 19 July 2006, 17:00

here's the pic

I've also attached two lines to pull the tabs up if required

We went out on Sunday without any problems and the drainer works fine to

Dino89 · 19 July 2006, 17:25

does seem as though this is just something thats a characteristic of the flooding hull just seemed more of a problem last weekend because of sea condititons and i do stop quite a bit !
the tabs do seem to make a difference from wat i have read something prehaps to consider
thanx for all the advice and help at least i know its normalish!!

wavecrosschris · 19 July 2006, 22:02

Hi Bedajim - how much were the smart tabs and where did you get them from?! - they look great, were they easy to setup/install?

bedajim · 20 July 2006, 05:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavecrosschris

Hi Bedajim - how much were the smart tabs and where did you get them from?! - they look great, were they easy to setup/install?

Hi

I can't remember how much as i also got a prop fom these people, but I think it was £120.00 ish

Fitting was simple all of the nuts and bolts are in the kit just need a drill and some sealant + adjustable spanners as the bolts are us sizes

http://www.streamlinedpropellers.co.uk/smarttabs.html

James

wavecrosschris · 20 July 2006, 08:12

Brilliant - thanks for that - From looking at yours I might need to take a closer look at them/my rib before I buy - your hull is a perfect 'v' at the transom, but mine is stepped as the rails/chine run all the way back and break up the 'v' so I'm worried they wouldn't fit flush - however they do make smaller ones for tenders (which would probably fit) - I'm wondering if these might work - even though they are only designed for boats up to 25hp, its just whether they would be effective!?? - probably better than nothing - and a better looking alternative to hydro wings on the engine.

Nos4r2 · 20 July 2006, 08:21

Wavecrosschris,

Your best bet is to go to the iboats.com forums and talk to a guy called Nautijohn. He's the proprietor of Nauticus inc. that makes smart tabs and about as knowledgeable as you'll get on them. It may be that you'll have to mix/match blades and actuators.