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85' Enticer 16' w/90 merc inline

R

redsput

Member
just bought this boat, and already love it. But... After reading through many posts, am really not sure what do do in terms of setup. I plan to use the boat for some recreational skiing, tubing etc along with (probably more) joy riding. The boat chine walks pretty bad just over 40 mph, seems to cavitate pretty easy with minimal trim. I think my motor would be considered "buried" as it appears to be about 5"+ from the bottom of the boat to the center of the propshaft. I know the prop is junk (19 alum that I had to bang on for quite a while to make it semi-straight.) Any suggestions on a basic starting point? Holeshot is acceptable now for skiing, but i sure like to get a little more stability and speed if possible (does about 45 according to the speedo - didn't remember my GPS on my first and only outing so far...) Thanks! I love the forum - reminds me of the dirtbike forums I frequent. Cool stuff always attracts a wealth of experience and knowledge from the real enthusiasts
:thumb:
 
First get a good (straight) prop then you can start working on setup, and it sounds like your prop is way too deep if it infact 5" below the bottom of the hull
 
Where in west Michigan are you? I might be able to take a look at it if you're not too far from Kalamazoo.
 
I'm in Holland about a mile from Macatawa, but most often boat in the Grand River (scary shallow this year... - hence the reason I sold my IO to get an outboard.) The boat actually came from a lake not too far from Kzoo (Pine Lake - kind of between Gull and Gun.) *Question on measuring how far down the engine is set. Do I take this measurement with the engine full down trim, or level? What is considered an ideal depth for all around use (with the engine mounted directly to the transom?) *Mine is bolted through the top holes - as low as it can go....
 
You level the motor so the prop shaft is at the same angle as the bottom, then measure down from the pad to the center of the propshaft. If you can find a good stainless cupped prop, like a Laser II, then your propshaft will want to be 3"-4" below the pad for good all-around use. The higher you run the motor on the transom, the better it will handle, but at some point will not hold in turns as well. Make sure your steering is tight by grabbing the back of the motor and move it side-to-side. If there's any play, then you'll have chine-walking problems.
 
I don't think you will be able to go much higher without a jackplate. That transom is already 22" so even at the lowest setting you are 2" higher than most boats.
A Laser is a good choice but again not without a JP as they do not like to run so deep and my experience is it will blow out in turns if you go much higher.
If you are not going to add a JP I would find a used 19" Ballistic. They sell cheap, don't mind running buried, and you will pick up 5 MPH.
That hull should not be chine walking at 45 MPH. Check your steering and motor mounts to make sure nothing is sloppy.
 
Appreciate the responses. I did go through and find a bunch of loose stuff. Tightend up where I could and it greatly improved the chine walking. There is still a little play in the steering - but much less. As soon as I can verify my tach is wrong, I'll be ordering a ballistic (found a source on line for $299.16 - about $170 lower than the local marina!) *Currently showing only 3400 WOT w/ 19" aluminum prop at 44-45 mph (GPS) - sounds like higher revs to me - but I need to verify before picking a prop... Anyone know of an easy way to verify tach operation without just buyng a new one?
 
Enticer Setup

Redsput, what year is your inline motor? My 1980 Enticer has a CMC 5 1/2 inch jack-plate with a 2002 inline 90 horse Merc and with a 20" pitch prop I'm at 6000 rpm at WOT. Chine-walk is only a problem if I hit another wake at the wrong angle and up on the pad. Usually I can drive through it but have gotten all out of shape on a few occasions, nothing that a clean pair of shorts didn't take care of. (LOL) I've done some prop research for this model Mate and would be glad to share my findings with you.

Doug (Enticer1):welcome:
redsput said:
Appreciate the responses. I did go through and find a bunch of loose stuff. Tightend up where I could and it greatly improved the chine walking. There is still a little play in the steering - but much less. As soon as I can verify my tach is wrong, I'll be ordering a ballistic (found a source on line for $299.16 - about $170 lower than the local marina!) *Currently showing only 3400 WOT w/ 19" aluminum prop at 44-45 mph (GPS) - sounds like higher revs to me - but I need to verify before picking a prop... Anyone know of an easy way to verify tach operation without just buyng a new one?
Click to expand...
 
1985 inline 6 ("tower o' not so much power") Actually it seems to run very well, still in the shake down process. The boat/motor/trailer were all pretty neglected when I picked it up just 9 days ago. Motor ran rough at first, but pretty smooth now after a tank of gas w/ seafoam. Plugs, wires, new impeller and a new ballistic prop will be on it before the weekend when I leave on vacation - I hope ...
 
Hey Red, the Ballistic is a good choice if not running a JP. I am running one on my Predictor (closed deck Enticer) and at 4-5 inches below it spools up quicker then most others and provids good bow lift. But, with a JP it sucks. I installed a JP and I cant jack it up at all with that prop.
 
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