I have a 89 laser bass boat with a 175 johnson we took it out today but couldnt seem to keep the nose down?

Question

I have a 89 laser bass boat with a 175 johnson we took it out today but couldnt seem to keep the nose down. it only stayed down when my friend was up front when he came to sit in the seat in the back the nose would come up almost to the point of flipping us.

Answer 1

The engine is probably to big for your boat. You know its to big for your boat if you can't level it out at a good cruising speed like 10-20 mph. Should probably just get a smaller engine like a 75 or an 85 HP

Answer 2

to powerful

Answer 3

Dirty Dave is right. If the boat doesnt level off while cruising then the motor is too big for the boat.

Answer 4

Although the girls might like it, I suspect that your Johnson is too big.

Answer 5

It sounds to me like you had too much weight in the boat.  Was the boat overloaded?

Answer 6

Too large a motor WILL NOT cause a boat to not plane! Sorry Guys!

Several things will though.

1. Check to make sure the unit is trimmed full down. When trimmed up the unit will tend to lift the bow out of the water.

2. It is also possible to mount the engine too low on the transom + this will also lift the bow. Has the engine recently been removed and reinstalled?

3. Many boats are made to “bow lift” on early takeoff for easier planing. If your engine is not running at full strength you may experience a condition where the boat cant “break out” of the hole and just runs continuously bow up.

4. Too much pitch to in the propeller can cause the same condition as above. Has the boat run with that prop before?

5. Too much load in the boat? Was it overloaded with camping equipment etc???

Check these things out and if you still need help take the boat to a marine shop and have them help you out or email me if there is anything I can help with.

Answer 7

The smallest laser that will take 175hp (recommended) is the TX3800. If your boat's a smaller model , it's overpowered according to the manufacturers. Having said that , I  had a 25hp on a 10 foot tinnie , my mate had a 35 on a 12 foot tinnie , a few fishermen round here have 40hp's on 13 foot tinnies and I also had a 50hp on my 12 foot fibreglass and a 175 on my lightweight 16 foot fibreglass. None of these boats have flipped or have trouble planing with 2 people down the back. Check you don't have a big load of fuel in the stern , check the pitch of your prop and check the hull isn't waterlogged.( of course make sure your motor isn't sitting too low on the transom as the other answerer suggested )Last time I was out , 2 guys passed me in a 16' bass boat with a 175 optimax on it and they were both sitting in the rear seat , the boat was riding fine.