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Author Topic:   Engine Height on NEWPORT 17

FRTDOG540 posted 07-14-2004 05:05 PM ET (US)
Gang,
Heading to the camp this weekend and am thinking of changing the height of the engine mounting on our 1982 NEWPORT 17. It is powered by a 2000 115-HP Ficht. Does great, but top end porpoises a lot. I am not sure what hole its in now, but will when I get there. We mostly ski behind the boat, so I care about holeshot more than top end. Any thoughts on where the engine mounting height should be?
Scott
jimh posted 07-14-2004 09:53 PM ET (US)
That 115-HP Ficht is probably much heavier than the hull designer anticipated the motor would be. The original recommendation was probably to mount the engine one hole up from lowest possible.
If you want better acceleration from a standing stop, a lower engine mounting heigh is probably better than a higher one.
tully_mars posted 07-24-2004 10:46 PM ET (US)
I have the 2002 75 FICHT on my 16'7 and it runs really great. The motor is not to heavy, but you do need to think about where all the weight is in the boat. In my boat which is a Montauk, the oil and battery are under the console which removes 70 or so pounds extra to the center of the boat. This helps bring the overall weight in the stern down counteracting any additional weight added by the newer motor. There is approx. 65 lbs more weight in the 115 2002 Evinrude than the older style 90 degree v-4 evinrudes.
BTW, your 115hp FICHT and my 75 FICHT weigh exactly the same, the computers are the only difference in the motors.
My boat has a full trim range and I can pull a slalom skier with 4 adults in the boat. With 4 adults and no skier I can top out at 37 mph, 39.5 mph alone in the boat and not have a porpoising problem. With 1 person driving and no passengers the boat can pull a slalom skier out no problem and trim is no issue. I also use a ski pilon which really helps in handling.
For some further information, a friend of mine repowered is 1982 Newport 17 with a 115hp Suzuki 4 stroke. I am not sure of the mounting hole, but he doesn't have a trim problem. The boat does though sit low in the water in the stern since the motor weighs in the 400+ lb range. He did take my advice and moved his fuel tank and battery (no oil tank) under neath his console. The boat when running planes nicely, and tops out around 45mph.
Hope this helps.
Capt. Tully Mars

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Author	Topic: Engine Height on NEWPORT 17
FRTDOG540	posted 07-14-2004 05:05 PM ET (US) Gang, Heading to the camp this weekend and am thinking of changing the height of the engine mounting on our 1982 NEWPORT 17. It is powered by a 2000 115-HP Ficht. Does great, but top end porpoises a lot. I am not sure what hole its in now, but will when I get there. We mostly ski behind the boat, so I care about holeshot more than top end. Any thoughts on where the engine mounting height should be? Scott
jimh	posted 07-14-2004 09:53 PM ET (US) That 115-HP Ficht is probably much heavier than the hull designer anticipated the motor would be. The original recommendation was probably to mount the engine one hole up from lowest possible. If you want better acceleration from a standing stop, a lower engine mounting heigh is probably better than a higher one.
tully_mars	posted 07-24-2004 10:46 PM ET (US) I have the 2002 75 FICHT on my 16'7 and it runs really great. The motor is not to heavy, but you do need to think about where all the weight is in the boat. In my boat which is a Montauk, the oil and battery are under the console which removes 70 or so pounds extra to the center of the boat. This helps bring the overall weight in the stern down counteracting any additional weight added by the newer motor. There is approx. 65 lbs more weight in the 115 2002 Evinrude than the older style 90 degree v-4 evinrudes. BTW, your 115hp FICHT and my 75 FICHT weigh exactly the same, the computers are the only difference in the motors. My boat has a full trim range and I can pull a slalom skier with 4 adults in the boat. With 4 adults and no skier I can top out at 37 mph, 39.5 mph alone in the boat and not have a porpoising problem. With 1 person driving and no passengers the boat can pull a slalom skier out no problem and trim is no issue. I also use a ski pilon which really helps in handling. For some further information, a friend of mine repowered is 1982 Newport 17 with a 115hp Suzuki 4 stroke. I am not sure of the mounting hole, but he doesn't have a trim problem. The boat does though sit low in the water in the stern since the motor weighs in the 400+ lb range. He did take my advice and moved his fuel tank and battery (no oil tank) under neath his console. The boat when running planes nicely, and tops out around 45mph. Hope this helps. Capt. Tully Mars