CONTINUOUSWAVE

Hello. Brand new participant here.

I just bought a 2000 13’ Sport that was recently re-powered with a SUZUKI 30.

I went for the maiden voyage yesterday. The boat runs well at speed and [the SUZUKI 30] tops out about 6000-RPM.

The boat is slow to accelerate to plane with two adults, and the boat cannot get on plane with two adults and two kids.

The hull is rated for 30-HP maximum.

I don’t think [the performance described above is caused by] a power problem.

I got this as a first boat for my kids, and I am not worried about top boat speed.

Q1: [do you recommend adding an anti-ventilation plate foil extension as the first attempt to remedy the slow acceleration to plane with two aboard and lack of ability to plane with four aboard?]

Q2: do you recommend changing the current propeller to a different propeller?

The performance of small and lightweight skiffs is very rapidly degraded by added weight. Four people could represent a very large percentage of the boat’s total weight. To have performance drop off as weight is added is completely expected.

An engine speed of 6,000-RPM at full-throttle sounds about right. Check the engine owner’s guide for the specifications for full-throttle engine speed range.

I have no experience with adding foils to the A-V plate, but it might be an option. But before trying one, I suggest shifting crew weight forward when there are four aboard and the boat is struggling to get on plane. The bow rise should be decreased if weight is in the bow. Once the boat accelerates to plane—if it does—the crew can come back from the bow to a normal position.

The nature of small outboard engines using a four-stroke-power-cycle design is poor torque and low power at low engine speeds. This lack of power is the real problem for your situation.

Adding a foil is a band-aid and does not address the real concern.

Where is the engine mounted? How many empty holes above the top bolt on the engine bracket?

What is the make/model and size of the prop. Look for a model # on the outside or inside of the hub?

What happens when you put one adult in the front and the second child sits next to you?

Thanks for the replies. I did try to shift the crew/weight forward. It didn’t work.

Running well and hitting the top of the WOT range is not very helpful.

Where is the engine mounted? How many empty holes above the top bolt on the engine bracket?

What is the make/model and size of the prop. Look for a model # on the outside or inside of the hub?

Two adults and two kids in a 13-footer with only a 30 hp will be a little slow to get up on plane.

I found when I added a hydrofoil to my 13-footer it stopped the porpoising with me alone in the boat at lower speeds and the boat planes out faster. I set the height of my outboard so the [anti-ventilation] plate is about 1" above the bottom of the boat.

If you don't like the idea of adding a foil extension to your outboard, another thought is a larger diameter prop with slightly less pitch but watch your RPMs. As Jimh said check your engine owner’s guide for full-throttle engine speed range.

2000 was the first year of the 130 Sport and the only year it was rated for 30-HP maximum. Starting in 2001 it was rated for 40-HP. The only real solution if you need power for four people is to get a 2001 or newer model 130 Sport with a 40 HP two-stroke. Or, the best set up may be to get a classic 13 (weight 340 to 360-lbs compared to a 130 Sport at 580-lbs) with a 40-HP two-stroke.

The OP could simply install a 40HP engine of his choice to get the most out of his 130 Sport. That seems to be the most economical approach to get an under powered boat to perform well.

I'm unaware of any law prohibiting the installation of a higher horsepower engine on a hull than the HP the manufacturer recommends as the maximum.

I went from 12 pitch to 11 pitch prop. Hole shot is much better. Problem solved I think.

Put a Dolphin Tail on the motor. I have a 2001 Sport 130 with a 2-stroke 40HP Mercury, had a similar problem, installed a dolphin tail, and the difference is night and day.