Need some help with a boat problem

[Trophycats]

Hey guys/gals. I have a question about a boat issue. My brother bought a New boat last year, nothing fancy, just a 16 1/2 ft tracker with a 50HP merc on it. I have never had the chance to fish with him untill yesterday, but over the last year he was telling me that his boat seemed like it had a problem getting up on plane. And to be honest, I thought it might have been the operator since it was his first boat.

However I went out with him yesterday and this boat has serious issues. It had NO power at all, and I know a 50HP doesnt have a lot, but this boat would not get up on plane with 2 of us in it, I could not get the boat past 4200 RPM. He said it had never been that bad before, and that it would usually run about 5600 rpm. And one more thing, to put the boat in reverse, i had to almost stand on the shift lever, I have never seen one that stiff.

Any Ideas? Water in gas? ECU gone bad? It is still under warranty of course but we are just curious..thanks Warren

[billm_usa1]

What size prop ?
Have you tried any other props ?

[F16ENGMGR]

4200 RPM sounds like a plug is not firing. Also does it get on plane with him by himself? If it reached the max RPM limit before I don't believe the prop is your problem. It sounds like it's only hitting on 2 cylinders. Also I'd put a "Whale Tail" or whatever they're called on the skeg to allow you to get on plane quicker. Keep us informed. And by all means if it's under warranty.... Need I say more?

[Fishin is life]

had a 115 yamaha....had one spark plug wire come loose and it wouldnt get on plane....boat would just stand right straight up in the air....puzzled me for a few minutes...popped the motor cover off and saw the spark plug wire hangin....tell him to check and plug wires and if they all look good i would make sure one or more of the plugs arent failed

[greenriverman1]

I have a 2003 17' triton crappie boat which is aluminum and It has a 50HP. Merc. It runs around 5600 RPMs.

I think I would be on my way to the Tracker dealership with that boat.

DA

[Jbyrd]

Hey guys/gals. I have a question about a boat issue. My brother bought a New boat last year, nothing fancy, just a 16 1/2 ft tracker with a 50HP merc on it. I have never had the chance to fish with him untill yesterday, but over the last year he was telling me that his boat seemed like it had a problem getting up on plane. And to be honest, I thought it might have been the operator since it was his first boat.

However I went out with him yesterday and this boat has serious issues. It had NO power at all, and I know a 50HP doesnt have a lot, but this boat would not get up on plane with 2 of us in it, I could not get the boat past 4200 RPM. He said it had never been that bad before, and that it would usually run about 5600 rpm. And one more thing, to put the boat in reverse, i had to almost stand on the shift lever, I have never seen one that stiff.

Any Ideas? Water in gas? ECU gone bad? It is still under warranty of course but we are just curious..thanks Warren

Sounds like the linkage or cables may
need adjusting. with the trouble putting it in reverse and all

[Jabbo]

I agree, sounds like a plug issue, and possibly bad gas or a lot of gas.
How full was the gas tank? Did you guys top it off for a day on the lake?
7lb a gallon is a lot of weight w/ two men in a smaller boat.
Either way it should still get on plane, albeit slower w/ the extra weight.
I would be more concerned about the shifting!! IF you have to stand on the throttle lever to get it in reverse, sounds like you have a linkage problem.
Has the lower unit ever been rebuilt or replaced? If so it could be improperly shimmed.
Hope you get it running good soon!! The fall fishin is on!!

[wishniwasfishn]

My Ranger did the exact same thing last weekend, pulled the plugs out, and two of the 6 plugs were fouled, replaced them and it ran great. Tell him to change plugs, and to use the oil that is recommended for his motor, if not his plugs will continue to foul.

[Brad273cts]

I agree with Jbyrd. I had the exact same problem with a 115 Johnson. It was all in the throttle linkage.

[Dave Stewart]

With that kind of drop in RPM I would take straight to the shop...no tinkering...that is why the warranty...better safe than sorry even if the problem is not warrantied...ie..scheduled maintenance.

[Trophycats]

Its headed to the shop, just wondering what it might be...I am betting on the linkage...thanks warren

[stoobie]

I have a similar problem with my 40 hp Merc. it wont rev over 2600 rpm in the water while in forward, but if I rev it in neut or rev it revs to 5200+ rpm. It will rev while in forward when its hooked up the muffs on the hose but not on the water. It ran a little rough one weekend so I ran some seafoam thru it while hooked up to the hose and took it out the next weekend find I had this current problem. Any ideas. The plugs seem fine and the compression seems fine.