2024 190 MONTAUK: Bow Oscilation on Plane

[LBGreg]

Q1: is the c.2024 190 MONTAUK known to exhibit repeated bow oscillation (“porpoising”) while on plane?

Q2: should a c.2024 190 MONTAUK have trim tabs?

Q3: will a change to a different propeller [help reduce bow oscillation while on plane in a c.2024 190 MONTAUK]?

Q4: will [adding a foil appendage to the Anti-Ventilation plate of a Mercury 150-HP engine on a c.2024 190 MONTAUK help reduce bow oscillation on plane]?

Q5: will Bennett-brand self-leveling trim tabs [affect the tendency for a 190 MONTAUK to exhibit bow oscillation while on plane]?

BACKSTORY
I have a 2024 190 MONTAUK with a Mercury 150-HP engine with a “stock” Mercury 14.5 x 17-pitch propeller, and I have problems with the hull [exhibiting repeated up-down oscillation of bow while the boat is on plane].

[jimh]

Q1: is the c.2024 190 MONTAUK known to exhibit repeated bow oscillation (“porpoising”) while on plane?

I doubt there is any element of the hull design in the c.2024 190 MONTAUK that would cause the boat to be particularly prone to having the bow oscillate up and down while on plane more than any other particular Boston Whaler hull design of that style.

Generally just about any moderate V-hull boat can exhibit bow oscillation while on plane at a particular boat speed, engine trim setting, seas state, and weight distribution. However, often this tendency occurs only at a certain range of boat speeds, and with a certain weight distribution of gear and crew aboard the boat, and at a certain and often narrow range of engine trim settings.

Typically careful adjustment of the engine trim setting can stop bow oscillation. However, there may be a certain boat speed at which the hull just has a tendency to bounce the bow while on plane. However, that tendency often occurs at the very highest boat speeds possible with that hull, and in some cases may not be able to be effectively stopped with just engine trim adjustment.

It would be helpful to readers if you gave more information about the boat speed range, and boat weight distribution when the bow oscillations occur. Also give information about the engine trim settings and variations of engine trim--if any--that have been tried to suppress the oscillation.

[jimh]

I have a 2024 190 MONTAUK with a Mercury 150-HP engine with a “stock” Mercury 14.5 x 17-pitch propeller...

Typically Boston Whaler matches a particular hull and engine with a propeller that best suits the boat, selecting the propeller from the enormous number of models and sizes produced by the Mercury Marine division of Brunswick.

Rather than describing the current propeller as the "stock" model, please give more information, such as the manufacturer, the propeller family, the material used, the number of blades, and any particulars about the blades or the suggested assets of the particular model.

Typically, Boston Whaler provides detailed information about performance from their own testing of the boat, engine, and propeller combination. For example, a performance report for testing from February 2018 using a Mercury 150-HP FourStroke engine and an ENERTIA 14-5/8 x 17-pitch propeller is available at

https://www.bostonwhaler.com/content/da ... -SHEET.pdf