2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
Deere4955
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Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:02 pm

2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby Deere4955 » Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:28 pm

My 2004 SPORT 13 boat with a Mercury 40-HP engine will not get on plane with a crew weight of 700-lbs but does plane slowly with 500-lbs crew weight.

Where do I start [to improve the performance]?

I got advice to change the propeller.

BACKSTORY. The boat was purchased in 2004, but it sat unused from 2009 until 2019. The engine started fine. I read about people pulling a tube or skiing behind these [boats]. No way I could do that with this. Maybe [the cause of the inability to reach plane with 700-lbs crew weight is] the engine isn’t making enough power.

jimh
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Re: 2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby jimh » Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:20 am

Small boat performance is very much affected by crew weight.

In order to assess the engine performance, a tachometer is needed. If the boat has a tachometer, then give the following information:

  • Propeller type, number of blades, pitch, and diameter
  • Engine gear ratio
  • Manufacturer's recommended full-throttle engine speed range
  • actual observed engine speed at full throttle

In order to assess propeller performance, boat speed is needed. If you have a speedometer, then give the following information:

  • boat speed at full throttle
  • engine speed at full throttle
  • weather conditions
  • sea state
  • presence of wind and wind direction
  • presence of current and current direction

If the boat has neither a tachometer or speedometer, giving advice will be difficult.

jimh
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Re: 2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby jimh » Tue Aug 03, 2021 8:50 am

To assess the general condition of the engine, follow the procedure given in the REFERENCE section article:

ASSESSING USED OUTBOARD ENGINES
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/outboardCheck.html

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Phil T
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Re: 2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby Phil T » Sat Aug 28, 2021 4:49 pm

Given the low power rating for this model, you may need to be more aggressive with your acceleration to get on plane. Once on plane, back off on the throttle to get to your intended cruising speed.

Warn your crew to hang on and then move throttle quickly to full throttle to get up on plane and then reduce throttle to get to cruise speed.

Report back results, questions etc.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

Oldslowandugly
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Re: 2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby Oldslowandugly » Sat Aug 28, 2021 10:06 pm

I have a 15 footer with a 30hp motor. At first it would not plane even though the same combination planed my 18' aluminum skiff. I changed the propeller pitch by 1" lower and it helped a lot, but not enough. The second 1" lower prop pitch change did the trick. Alone I can go pretty fast. With a companion it still planes but not as fast. Your 13 footer with a 40hp motor should be very fast. Report what prop you have with pitch and diameter. Someone will know exactly what prop to recommend.

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Phil T
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Re: 2004 SPORT 13 40-HP Won't Plane

Postby Phil T » Sun Aug 29, 2021 2:51 pm

Old -

Keep in mind the 13/130's have become progressively heavier in each model offering while keeping the same 40hp rating.

While the the 13' Standard/Sport started out at less than 300 lbs with a horsepower rating maximum is 40hp.

In 2000, Whaler introduced a new version, the 130 Sport. 600lbs. Same hp limit.

The current 130 SuperSport weighs 695#. Same 40 hp maximum rating.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003