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Dauntless 16 with Yamaha F100

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 11:03 pm
by Eagle1499
I recently purchased a 2001 Dauntless 16 with a Yamaha F100. I use it to fish in the Pacific as well as cruising around the harbor. In the open ocean I would like to get the DAUNTLESS 16 to plane at a lower speed; sometimes the ocean has 3 to 4-foot surf, and the boat and passengers take a pounding,

I have mounted a four-blade propeller and a small dolphin on the engine.

To anyone who has mounted trim tabs: did trim tabs improve the planning performance?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:21 am
by Tim S
I had the same set-up, loved that DAUNTLESS 16, recently sold it due to a growing family.

I also had the same problem: the DAUNTLESS 16 had too much bow up-attitude at slower speed which caused a rough ride.

I first put on a stainless propeller—helped but didn’t solve the problem.

Next put on a hydrofoil—helped but didn’t solve the problem.

Next I put a wedge behind the engine bracket to give the engine 5-degrees more negative trim—problem solved! I ordered the wedge on-line for $15. You will have to remount your engine to get the wedge behind the engine bracket. Once the wedge is installed you can plane at a slower speed, but more important you can keep the bow down for the appropriate angle to the waves.

Either the Yamaha 100 does not have enough negative trim or the 2001 Dauntless (with the transom notch) was not built for an engine that heavy.

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 10:53 pm
by GoldenDaze
I have a 2003 model with a Mercury 115 4-stroke. I added a foil a long time ago, and it certainly helped a lot. But I've never been completely happy with it, since trimming the engine all the way down induces a lot of steering torque (that is, the wheel is easy to turn one way but hard to turn the other--see P-factor for an explanation of the same phenomenon in aircraft). I fear that Tim's solution, while helping to keep the bow down, would make the steering even worse.

Lenco has some narrow 4" trim tabs that *should* fit, just barely, inside the swim ladder. These are on my "do this someday" list, but I haven't tried them yet.

I also switched to a 4-blade 17" Trophy Plus prop, which made a significant improvement, and I generally don't fill the fuel tank anymore. That huge 45 gallon tank is a lot of weight in a small boat. A second battery in the console probably didn't hurt either, though I can't say I noticed a particular difference.

-Bob

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:04 am
by Jefecinco
For best performance the Dauntless 16 needs a 115 HP engine but that doesen't help solve your problem. My 16 had a 115 HP engine with a stainless steel four blade propeller and two heavy AGM batteries in the console. I avoided weight behind the console. I also raised the engine higher than the dealer setting. The Dauntless was able to plane at low speeds and the boat had startlingly good acceleration after the changes.

Before spending the time and money for trim tabs I would experiment with adjusting the engine mounting height. That can help enormously and it's free. Trying some different propellers can also help a lot. When you find the perfect engine height and propeller combination you may find trim tabs are no longer desirable.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:41 pm
by rsantiago
Hello Eagle1499,
I have a 2001 Dauntless 16 which I recently repowered from a Yamaha F100 to a Yamaha F115. With the F100 I had a Doel Fin, a 3 bladed black Yamaha stainless steel 17 pitch propeller, and it was mounted one hole away from the highest engine height. The boat planed well with this setup but often got airborne on stiff chop even at slower speeds. When I repowered with the F115 I used a 4 blade Solas HR 15 pitch propeller. This combination really smooth out the ride and reduced pounding. I'm not suggesting you repower. The F100 serve me well for 16 years. I just wish I had tried out the 4 blade Solas propeller earlier.
This season I mounted the Bennett SLT6 trim tabs for boats up to 17 feet. This addition has given me the smoothest ride I've had on this boat in the 17 years that I've owned it. I am really happy that I added the trim tabs. The drawback was that I had to remove the swim ladder, which I've used only once since owning. It also lowered my top speed from 40 mph to 38 mph. The SLT6 was cheaper and simpler than installing a fully controllable trim tab system.

Ralph

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 5:32 pm
by ATPNW
rsantiago wrote:... I mounted the Bennett SLT6 trim tabs...


Recently had SLT6's installed on our 2001 16 Dauntless with 115 and 6-HPnkicker on the back. Only been out once, but [installing trim tabs] helped with planning. [The Dauntless] handled a rough spell of water on Puget Sound last week so much better—before you felt your teeth were about to rattle off.

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:52 pm
by rlynch03
rsantiago wrote:...used a 4 blade Solas HR 15 pitch propeller...

Can you confirm the size of the [SOLAS] propeller?

Was it a stainless or aluminum version?

Thank you

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:56 pm
by jimh
rlynch03 wrote:...confirm the size of the [SOLAS] propeller...

The propeller was described as a "4 balde SOLAS HR," which I would assume is the SOLAR HR TITAN, a four-blade propeller, and the pitch was mentioned as being "15-pitch". What further dimensions or descriptions do you need?

rlynch03 wrote:Was it a stainless or aluminum version?

The SOLAR HR TITAN four-blade 15-pitch propeller is a stainless steel propeller. Compare at an on-line seller

Re: Dauntless 16 with Yamaha F100

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 4:26 pm
by rsantiago
Jim is correct . It is the Solas HR Titan 4, 15 pitch, 4 blade stainless steel propeller.

Re: Dauntless 16 performance

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:58 pm
by GoldenDaze
GoldenDaze wrote:Lenco has some narrow 4" trim tabs that *should* fit, just barely, inside the swim ladder. These are on my "do this someday" list


Now it's on my "almost done" list. I'll let you all know in a week or two how well they work.

Re: Dauntless 16 with Yamaha F100

Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2018 11:58 pm
by Masbama
Check the 16 DAUNTLESS transom thru-hull fittings for leaks. Your 2001-model-year 16 DAUNTLESS uses plastic thru-hull fitting.

Boston Whaler uses plywood in the transom for support.

Re: Dauntless 16 with Yamaha F100

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2018 9:08 am
by GoldenDaze
Yes, I saw the thread about the Nantucket transom, and it led me to give my through-hulls a good inspection. Both the motor well drains were loose, as was the bilge drain. One of the cockpit drain transom fittings was loose and cracked at the base (great recipe for a sinking if it wasn't a Whaler) and both cockpit fittings were loose and leaking. Over the last week I've replaced everything but the bilge pump outlet, which is fine. 18 holes in the transom for the trim tabs excavated only bone-dry wood, so I thank all the contributors to that thread for the early warning!

Re: Dauntless 16 with Yamaha F100

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2018 9:23 am
by GoldenDaze
Eagle1499, I've now had a chance to put about 25 hours on my 160 Dauntless since installing the Lenco 4x12" trim tabs. The results are fabulous! See my writeup at http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3860. This upgrade was well worth the cost and effort!