2000 Outrage 18 with 225-HP Cannot Stay on Plane at Low Speed
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2022 3:16 pm
[For an OUTRAGE 18 with a 225-HP Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine:]
Q1: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull more stability?
Q2: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull more lift?
Q3: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull the ability to keep a constant boat speed of 20 to 22-MPH?
BACKGROUND: I have 2000 OUTRAGE 18 with a Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine with a MIRAGEplus three-bladed 15.5-inch-diameter x 17-pitch propeller. The PVS vents are closed with solid plugs. The engine mounting height is three-holes-up from lowest position.
I have had this boat for eight years. I use it for angling on Lake Erie. Lake Erie often has "snotty" conditions. [Lake Erie is famous for being a shallow lake with a very long fetch possible, leading to wind waves of significant height and very short spacing--Moderator]
I have installed trim tabs on the OUTRAGE 18 hull. There is also an aluminum anti-ventilation plate foil extension of the type sold under the brand name WHALE TAIL XL STABILZER on the engine.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine can accelerate to 5,600-RPM, and the boat speed will be around 48-MPH, varying with the boat weight from loading.
The 225-HP engine is more power than I need. If I jam the throttle (to FULL from IDLE) the boat practically jumps out of the water. There is NO concern about the time to accelerate to plane from a standing start.
At times to go fast is fun, but I would not have a care if some of the boat's top speed were lost.
The boat's performance in calm condition is excellent. The boat's performance in "mid" conditions is excellent.
When there are choppy waves, I typically have to search for a boat speed that is the slowest on-plane boat speed, usually between 18 to 20-MPH. There is a tendency at that speed for the boat speed [to increases and for the boat to get more on-plane, resulting in a boat speed increase] to about 27-MPH or higher; for the wave conditions a boat speed of 27-MPH is too fast.]
As a result of the too fast boat speed, I reduce the throttle. The boat then ends up dropping off plane. Then the cycle starts over.
The engine speed seems to surge depending on how much forward pressure I am getting from waves.
SUSPECTED CAUSE OF INABILITY OF ENGINE TO MAINTAIN THE BOAT ON PLANE AT A SLOW SPEED
The Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine is an excellent running engine. I believe [the problem with the inability for the engine and propeller to be able to maintain the boat on-plane in head seas at a modest just-on-plane boat speed is] all propeller-related.
Also, I do trim the motor and trim tabs to enhance the ride for the conditions as needed.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN THE FUTURE
I may buy a HUSTLER brand four-bladed 15 x 15-pitch propeller.
I could change the propeller back to the MIRAGEplus 15.5 x 17-pitch propeller when I use the boat on smaller lakes
Since I did not install the trim tabs, I believe that without experiencing any loss of planing of boat control I could remove the WHALE TAIL foil extension appendage from the anti-ventilation plate
ASIDE: I have searched and can't seem to come to a conclusion on how to improve the performance I am trying to achieve.
Q1: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull more stability?
Q2: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull more lift?
Q3: would switching to a 15 x 15-pitch four-bladed propeller give the hull the ability to keep a constant boat speed of 20 to 22-MPH?
BACKGROUND: I have 2000 OUTRAGE 18 with a Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine with a MIRAGEplus three-bladed 15.5-inch-diameter x 17-pitch propeller. The PVS vents are closed with solid plugs. The engine mounting height is three-holes-up from lowest position.
I have had this boat for eight years. I use it for angling on Lake Erie. Lake Erie often has "snotty" conditions. [Lake Erie is famous for being a shallow lake with a very long fetch possible, leading to wind waves of significant height and very short spacing--Moderator]
I have installed trim tabs on the OUTRAGE 18 hull. There is also an aluminum anti-ventilation plate foil extension of the type sold under the brand name WHALE TAIL XL STABILZER on the engine.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine can accelerate to 5,600-RPM, and the boat speed will be around 48-MPH, varying with the boat weight from loading.
The 225-HP engine is more power than I need. If I jam the throttle (to FULL from IDLE) the boat practically jumps out of the water. There is NO concern about the time to accelerate to plane from a standing start.
At times to go fast is fun, but I would not have a care if some of the boat's top speed were lost.
The boat's performance in calm condition is excellent. The boat's performance in "mid" conditions is excellent.
When there are choppy waves, I typically have to search for a boat speed that is the slowest on-plane boat speed, usually between 18 to 20-MPH. There is a tendency at that speed for the boat speed [to increases and for the boat to get more on-plane, resulting in a boat speed increase] to about 27-MPH or higher; for the wave conditions a boat speed of 27-MPH is too fast.]
As a result of the too fast boat speed, I reduce the throttle. The boat then ends up dropping off plane. Then the cycle starts over.
The engine speed seems to surge depending on how much forward pressure I am getting from waves.
SUSPECTED CAUSE OF INABILITY OF ENGINE TO MAINTAIN THE BOAT ON PLANE AT A SLOW SPEED
The Mercury OptiMax 225-HP engine is an excellent running engine. I believe [the problem with the inability for the engine and propeller to be able to maintain the boat on-plane in head seas at a modest just-on-plane boat speed is] all propeller-related.
Also, I do trim the motor and trim tabs to enhance the ride for the conditions as needed.
POSSIBLE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN THE FUTURE
I may buy a HUSTLER brand four-bladed 15 x 15-pitch propeller.
I could change the propeller back to the MIRAGEplus 15.5 x 17-pitch propeller when I use the boat on smaller lakes
Since I did not install the trim tabs, I believe that without experiencing any loss of planing of boat control I could remove the WHALE TAIL foil extension appendage from the anti-ventilation plate
ASIDE: I have searched and can't seem to come to a conclusion on how to improve the performance I am trying to achieve.