How do I get the bow down?

Blake K

Blake K

Active member
I have a County Line 1038 layout boat for which I have purchased a Tohatsu 6hp outboard which I planned to start using on it. I, for the life of me, can not get the bow to come down and just plowed thru the water during my trial run yesterday. It was the most uncomfortable ride and almost felt like the boat was going to flip over backwards-LOL. Most of my boat experience is simply using a trolling motor(have used one on this boat for 2 yrs), so would love some thought and suggestion how to correct this issue. Thank you in advance for any advice!!

FYI - the transom/back of this boat has an outward angle away from the boat. I did try moving the adjustment pin in both directions and didnt really notice much difference in either direction.
 
Blake

Hard to know without being there but I suspect you don't have enough power to plane off and are stuck in that state where she is about to plane over. More power may be your only solution.
 
The boat is 10' and heavy aluminum, I don't see that 6 hp getting it on plane with a load. You are probably stuck with hull speed, which you can probably attain at just over idle with a 6 hp.
 
Boat weighs 150lbs per the website. I tried yesterday without any load in it. The odd part to me is that last year I tried it and it seemed to plane out or at least much better than yesterday(at least from what I remember), but then need to remove the motor to use my trolling motor. Put the outboard motor back on yesterday for a trial run, start motor up, etc and was not a good result.

Eric - Agree from what I can tell, but really dont want/need more power for 90% of my hunting situation. However more power would possibly give me more options of places to hunt.

Tod - correct as to hull speed working at just over idle

If this is the case might as well stick to my trolling motor then for simplicity and ease of use. Currently my furthest boat trip is maybe 1/2 mile so. A couple things for sure is much quieter, doesn't take too long with to travel that half mile, and never have to worry about getting the motor started - so not all bad. Honestly just wanted the extra speed to chase down cripples, sailers, etc. more efficiently.
 
I agree with the opinion that you may not have enough HP, but here are some things to check:
Look at your motor height. On a planing hull the anti-cavitation plate should be level with, or just above the bottom of the hull.
Get a cheap tachometer from Amazon and make sure your motor is performing as it should. Most outboards are happiest at 5,000-5500 RPM. Check your manual for exact numbers for your motor. A different prop might make a difference.
Look at how your weight is distributed. Perhaps try a tiller extension so you can move forward to get on plane.
You mentioned you adjusted the trim by moving the pin, sounds like it should be all the way in (closest to transom) if it isn't already.

Looking at the County Line website, it says your model is rated for 2 HP, so it's doubtful it was ever intended to plane, despite the shape of the hull.
 
Scott Kirkman said:
I agree with the opinion that you may not have enough HP, but here are some things to check:
Look at your motor height. On a planing hull the anti-cavitation plate should be level with, or just above the bottom of the hull.
Get a cheap tachometer from Amazon and make sure your motor is performing as it should. Most outboards are happiest at 5,000-5500 RPM. Check your manual for exact numbers for your motor. A different prop might make a difference.
Look at how your weight is distributed. Perhaps try a tiller extension so you can move forward to get on plane.
You mentioned you adjusted the trim by moving the pin, sounds like it should be all the way in (closest to transom) if it isn't already.

Looking at the County Line website, it says your model is rated for 2 HP, so it's doubtful it was ever intended to plane, despite the shape of the hull.
Click to expand...
Yes agree the website states 2hp. I did talk directly to the owner of County Line and he personally he uses a 6.5hp featherlite longtail on it and has no issues or concerns. Maybe the outboard angle makes a difference compared to the longtail?

I will definitely check the anti-cavitation plate when I get home this evening.

Thank you for your input!
 
Someone above mentioned the prop. The pitch can make a huge difference on small engines. I ran a 15 Johnson on my TDB 14 which went on plane perfectly. Had the marina replace a worn out prop and could not get on plane with the new one, it just plowed water. They changed the prop pitch on me. New prop with the right pitch, problem solved. Good luck.

RVZ
 
As already stated the hieght of the motor makes a differnce as well as the angle.
I found out I was overpropped for years on my 16' boat with a 25hp. once I purchased a tach, which you can get them cheap on amazon, I was able to make a change and get much better performance. I think it is the only real way to determine the right prop pitch. I upgraded to a 40HP yamaha a couple years ago and they told me it was running at around 5500 rpm's with an empty boat from the "sound of the motor" I added the tach and it was only at 4500. Took the prop back and exhanged it for one that was more appropiate. I now change my prop out in the summer for fishing when the boat is not loaded down with Decoys.

If you are looking at getting everything you can out of your 6hp I would suggest getting a tach and looking at height and angle.

 
Blake K said:
I have a County Line 1038 layout boat for which I have purchased a Tohatsu 6hp outboard which I planned to start using on it. I, for the life of me, can not get the bow to come down and just plowed thru the water during my trial run yesterday. It was the most uncomfortable ride and almost felt like the boat was going to flip over backwards-LOL. Most of my boat experience is simply using a trolling motor(have used one on this boat for 2 yrs), so would love some thought and suggestion how to correct this issue. Thank you in advance for any advice!!

FYI - the transom/back of this boat has an outward angle away from the boat. I did try moving the adjustment pin in both directions and didnt really notice much difference in either direction.
Click to expand...
That boat is rated for a 2hp outboard. I might try a tiller extension and get your weight forward. That's a pretty small boat for a 6hp. A 6hp long tail by design will have you farther forward and may be the reason the owner uses a long tail.
Neal Haarberg said:
As already stated the hieght of the motor makes a differnce as well as the angle.
I found out I was overpropped for years on my 16' boat with a 25hp. once I purchased a tach, which you can get them cheap on amazon, I was able to make a change and get much better performance. I think it is the only real way to determine the right prop pitch. I upgraded to a 40HP yamaha a couple years ago and they told me it was running at around 5500 rpm's with an empty boat from the "sound of the motor" I added the tach and it was only at 4500. Took the prop back and exhanged it for one that was more appropiate. I now change my prop out in the summer for fishing when the boat is not loaded down with Decoys.

If you are looking at getting everything you can out of your 6hp I would suggest getting a tach and looking at height and angle.

Click to expand...
 
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