Dauntless 14 Mecury EFI 60 HP 4-stroke - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Post-Classic Whalers
  Dauntless 14 Mecury EFI 60 HP 4-stroke

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Dauntless 14 Mecury EFI 60 HP 4-stroke

Whaletosh posted 04-22-2002 09:07 AM ET (US)
After several "tweaks" I finally have solved all the planing problems I had last summer. Saturday idled out away from the dock for few minutes, as is my practice to let the motor warm up. I told her to get ready, and throttled up expecting to plow water for 10 to 20 seconds. However, a few seconds later (apx. 4.5. to 5) my wife turned to me and said “went right up on plane didn’t it”. While I love my wife, she isn’t the most mechanically oriented person. For her to notice this indicates what a dramatic change occured. She was right, and I was very surprised and pleased the boat is finally jumping up on plane the way it should have been from the very beginning. This was while we were seated, we didn’t need to stand up. Our boat has never responded this well. I was hoping that the EFI on the 2002 would help and it has. With just me onboard it is difficult to quantify how fast it planes as it happens so quickly.
I am sure that I can move up to a higher ptich prop without sacrificing hole shot.

Ventura16 posted 04-22-2002 09:50 AM ET (US)
Hey Sean, glad to see that you've been out and that the boat is working better for you. What tweaks did you do? I put on a doel-fin, which helped a lot, but I am still looking for other ideas.
Tom
Whaletosh posted 04-22-2002 12:44 PM ET (US)
1) The biggest tweak was adding an EFI 4-stroke as opposed to a carbed 4-stroke. Of course I didn't pay for this tweak, Mercury did. For those new to the forum and want to know why this happened, here is an oppurtunity to learn how to expand the listings to show the past year.
2) I added transom wedges when the new motor was put on. Didn't work.
3) Took off transom wedges, and raised motor one bolt hole. Made thing even worse. This may help classic hulls, but it was not the right answer for my Dauntless. I also put on an 11" ptich prop at this point.
4) lowered motor to position that the original motor was in. This was the key.
the 11" pitch prop is too small. I can overrev the motor, even without trimming it out. I will be getting a better prop, 12" pitch. This should bring the motor WOT back into the proper range. The 11" prop will make a good spare and will help when I have extra large people onboard.
Now if I could just keep the boat.
tbyrne posted 04-22-2002 01:02 PM ET (US)
If you want a SS prop in excellent condition for that motor, see my post in Marketplace from late last week. I am selling an 11" pitch SS prop that runs like a 12" due to the increased cupping possible with SS over aluminium.
Stonacek posted 04-23-2002 09:35 PM ET (US)
Tell me more about the Mercury sponsored tweak to EFI vs carbed? Was it a recall or full replacement? I have a 2001 90HP carbed 4 stroke on a 16 Dauntless w/ planing problems as well. Current plan is to drop prop pitch by 1-2" as soon as the ice thaws. 10" last weekend still. Gotta love MN.
Stonacek posted 04-23-2002 10:00 PM ET (US)
ok Sean I give up. I looked back to July of 01 when you bought your boat and couldn't find anything since in this forum about the switch from carb to efi. Please advise date of post please.
Whaletosh posted 04-24-2002 08:53 AM ET (US)
Mark,
I apologize, the original post is buried somewhere in one of the other topics sections. I wasn't trying to aggravate you or others.
Shortly after I got my boat I got a recall letter from Mercury. It seems that a very small percentage of the production run of 2001 50 and 60 HP 4-stroke motors had a defect in the camshaft. This resulted in premature wear of the cams on some of the motors. Mercury, to their credit, replaced all of the motors that the had a defective camshaft in them. Mine was one of them. Much to my surprise and delight, they gave me a 2002 EFI 60 HP 4-stroke as the replacement. Including all of the rigging costs and a new warranty which began when the new motor was put on.
Whaletosh posted 04-24-2002 09:05 AM ET (US)
Mark,
Switching to a lower pitched prop may be what you need. If your present prop is aluminum you might want to try a SS prop. I rembeber seeing several Tropy Plus props on e-bay a while back. These are four blade SS props made by Mercury, the big brother to a Trophy Sport, and should fit your motor. You might also be able to find a Vengance.
Several other Dauntless/Ventura 16 owners have used Doel-Fins or other hydrofoils with good results. I have an SE Sport 300 which I would send you if you like for the price of shipping if it helps you can send me $25. If it doesn't keep it, would trust you. You would be gambling on puttin holes in you anti-cavitation plate.
Stonacek posted 04-24-2002 02:46 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the offer. You now have me rethinking my decision not to pay up last year for spread between 90hp and 115hp EFI. Water under the bridge however. In the meantime my plan is new prop first, doel fine second. My dealer recommends going with lower pitch aluminum based on lower price. (i'll probably only use 30% of the time for watersports). Do you concur or do you think it's worth going stainless? My current prop is SS vengance, I think 17' but need to check once boat out of storage.
As far as doel fins my deal recommended against saying they have potential in a hard turn to dramatically increase torque to point of having trouble straightening up. Not a big concern for me but my wife drives our boat occasionally w/out me around and don't want to do anything that makes boat harder to handle. Thus priority of prop first, then doel fine only if necessary. Can anyone comment on this phenomena? Several of you have referenced to porpoising in turns, but not increased torque.
In my search for you previous posts, I came across comments on bar mounted rod holders. I plan on installing same. If I remember correct, was told bow rail is 1" and stern rails are 7/8". Is this correct?
Just so you all know, the 10" of ice on my lake is only melting very very slowly as forcast for this weekend is now high 30s and chance of snow. Nice. Have heard they have nice cheap homes for sale in Punta Gordo, FL....
Whaletosh posted 04-24-2002 04:23 PM ET (US)
The dealer is trying to save you some money on the prop by suggesting an aluminum. I would wait until you have a good supply of summer weather then see if your dealer will let you try some props.
I have never had a problem with a the SE Sport 300 increasing turning effort or making the boat right slower after a turn.
The side rails are 7/8" and the bow rail is 1". the Dot Line come with inserts for 7/8 and 1" round plus 1" sqare rails. The West Marine/Perko units fit both. Other makers have sizes to fit either.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Dauntless 14 Mecury EFI 60 HP 4-stroke
Whaletosh	posted 04-22-2002 09:07 AM ET (US) After several "tweaks" I finally have solved all the planing problems I had last summer. Saturday idled out away from the dock for few minutes, as is my practice to let the motor warm up. I told her to get ready, and throttled up expecting to plow water for 10 to 20 seconds. However, a few seconds later (apx. 4.5. to 5) my wife turned to me and said “went right up on plane didn’t it”. While I love my wife, she isn’t the most mechanically oriented person. For her to notice this indicates what a dramatic change occured. She was right, and I was very surprised and pleased the boat is finally jumping up on plane the way it should have been from the very beginning. This was while we were seated, we didn’t need to stand up. Our boat has never responded this well. I was hoping that the EFI on the 2002 would help and it has. With just me onboard it is difficult to quantify how fast it planes as it happens so quickly. I am sure that I can move up to a higher ptich prop without sacrificing hole shot.
Ventura16	posted 04-22-2002 09:50 AM ET (US) Hey Sean, glad to see that you've been out and that the boat is working better for you. What tweaks did you do? I put on a doel-fin, which helped a lot, but I am still looking for other ideas. Tom
Whaletosh	posted 04-22-2002 12:44 PM ET (US) 1) The biggest tweak was adding an EFI 4-stroke as opposed to a carbed 4-stroke. Of course I didn't pay for this tweak, Mercury did. For those new to the forum and want to know why this happened, here is an oppurtunity to learn how to expand the listings to show the past year. 2) I added transom wedges when the new motor was put on. Didn't work. 3) Took off transom wedges, and raised motor one bolt hole. Made thing even worse. This may help classic hulls, but it was not the right answer for my Dauntless. I also put on an 11" ptich prop at this point. 4) lowered motor to position that the original motor was in. This was the key. the 11" pitch prop is too small. I can overrev the motor, even without trimming it out. I will be getting a better prop, 12" pitch. This should bring the motor WOT back into the proper range. The 11" prop will make a good spare and will help when I have extra large people onboard. Now if I could just keep the boat.
tbyrne	posted 04-22-2002 01:02 PM ET (US) If you want a SS prop in excellent condition for that motor, see my post in Marketplace from late last week. I am selling an 11" pitch SS prop that runs like a 12" due to the increased cupping possible with SS over aluminium.
Stonacek	posted 04-23-2002 09:35 PM ET (US) Tell me more about the Mercury sponsored tweak to EFI vs carbed? Was it a recall or full replacement? I have a 2001 90HP carbed 4 stroke on a 16 Dauntless w/ planing problems as well. Current plan is to drop prop pitch by 1-2" as soon as the ice thaws. 10" last weekend still. Gotta love MN.
Stonacek	posted 04-23-2002 10:00 PM ET (US) ok Sean I give up. I looked back to July of 01 when you bought your boat and couldn't find anything since in this forum about the switch from carb to efi. Please advise date of post please.
Whaletosh	posted 04-24-2002 08:53 AM ET (US) Mark, I apologize, the original post is buried somewhere in one of the other topics sections. I wasn't trying to aggravate you or others. Shortly after I got my boat I got a recall letter from Mercury. It seems that a very small percentage of the production run of 2001 50 and 60 HP 4-stroke motors had a defect in the camshaft. This resulted in premature wear of the cams on some of the motors. Mercury, to their credit, replaced all of the motors that the had a defective camshaft in them. Mine was one of them. Much to my surprise and delight, they gave me a 2002 EFI 60 HP 4-stroke as the replacement. Including all of the rigging costs and a new warranty which began when the new motor was put on.
Whaletosh	posted 04-24-2002 09:05 AM ET (US) Mark, Switching to a lower pitched prop may be what you need. If your present prop is aluminum you might want to try a SS prop. I rembeber seeing several Tropy Plus props on e-bay a while back. These are four blade SS props made by Mercury, the big brother to a Trophy Sport, and should fit your motor. You might also be able to find a Vengance. Several other Dauntless/Ventura 16 owners have used Doel-Fins or other hydrofoils with good results. I have an SE Sport 300 which I would send you if you like for the price of shipping if it helps you can send me $25. If it doesn't keep it, would trust you. You would be gambling on puttin holes in you anti-cavitation plate.
Stonacek	posted 04-24-2002 02:46 PM ET (US) Thanks for the offer. You now have me rethinking my decision not to pay up last year for spread between 90hp and 115hp EFI. Water under the bridge however. In the meantime my plan is new prop first, doel fine second. My dealer recommends going with lower pitch aluminum based on lower price. (i'll probably only use 30% of the time for watersports). Do you concur or do you think it's worth going stainless? My current prop is SS vengance, I think 17' but need to check once boat out of storage. As far as doel fins my deal recommended against saying they have potential in a hard turn to dramatically increase torque to point of having trouble straightening up. Not a big concern for me but my wife drives our boat occasionally w/out me around and don't want to do anything that makes boat harder to handle. Thus priority of prop first, then doel fine only if necessary. Can anyone comment on this phenomena? Several of you have referenced to porpoising in turns, but not increased torque. In my search for you previous posts, I came across comments on bar mounted rod holders. I plan on installing same. If I remember correct, was told bow rail is 1" and stern rails are 7/8". Is this correct? Just so you all know, the 10" of ice on my lake is only melting very very slowly as forcast for this weekend is now high 30s and chance of snow. Nice. Have heard they have nice cheap homes for sale in Punta Gordo, FL....
Whaletosh	posted 04-24-2002 04:23 PM ET (US) The dealer is trying to save you some money on the prop by suggesting an aluminum. I would wait until you have a good supply of summer weather then see if your dealer will let you try some props. I have never had a problem with a the SE Sport 300 increasing turning effort or making the boat right slower after a turn. The side rails are 7/8" and the bow rail is 1". the Dot Line come with inserts for 7/8 and 1" round plus 1" sqare rails. The West Marine/Perko units fit both. Other makers have sizes to fit either.