15 hp Honda...can't get on plane?

[steelhead22]

Our 15 hp Yamaha that we had on our 16' Smokercraft Alaskan did fine for 15 years. It recently died, so we decided to get a 15 hp Honda. I really like the motor, the 4 stroke is much quieter, but it can't seem to get the boat on plane. We have checked the tilt, broke it in according to instructions....did I miss something? Should we take it back and get a 20...25? We really like the 15's because you can make short runs with them, and yet, still be able to troll with them as well. I'm not sure a 25 would be able to do that, at least with bags out?

What do you guys think? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Paul

[fishkisser]

I'm not a real big honda Guy ... But you should check on changing props maybe with a different pitch before you give up on it ...:twocents:Good Luck Barney:wave:

[Snowwolfe]

The additional weight gain of the new Honda 4 stroke over your previous (assumming it was a 2 stroke) motor could of been enough to prevent from getting on step.
Was your old motor a pull start? Did you also add a battery that you didnt have before?
I would suspect a 15hp would be marginal to get that boat on step in the first place and the additional weight has bogged you down.

[steelhead22]

The old Yamaha was a 2 stroke. It was 30 lbs. lighter (around 70lb) and I'm told the 2 strokes have "more torque" than the 4 stroke does. I think both of those together have led to the problems of getting on plane.

The question now is, should we bail out of the 15 all together and if we do, what size should we go with? I'm pretty sure a 25 would get us on plane (although heavier), but would we be able to troll with it? The 20 is the same weight as the 15, but would the extra 5 horses be enough to get us on plane?

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it!

[Steelie Ben]

I would try a prop change first and foremost!! Its the cheap answer! If that doesn't satisfy you I would think about a bigger motor. I have been in plenty of boats simaler to yours that troll fine with the 25, if you really want to troll slow throw out a sea anchor and that should be plenty slow!!

[dog]

You could also try a hydro foil. It really helped on a 50 horse Yamaha that I had for getting up on a plane. You could put on a trolling plate if you go a bigger motor. In fact Cabelas sells a combo(called hydro troll) for about $100. But if you think your speed is fine once you get on a plane with your 15 then I would definitely try the hydro foil. Good luck.

PS. If you are up in one of the high lakes don't expect to get on a plane at all.

[Salty1]

Let me preface with - I do not know your engine. That said - it's worth checking dollar wise, to see if that motor is similar to the OMC units which simply use a different carb and intake unit to make the extra HP from 10 to 15's.

[Chrome Bumper]

I had a 9.9 honda, which made 12-13 hp when the throttle stop accidentally came off :wink:. On a 12 foot boat. The older 9.9 is the same displacement as the same years 15s, different cams and carbs.

Make sure the cavitation plate is even with or an inch above you keel. This will give you better trim and max speed, move weight forward a bit probably, I used an extended handle.

As I recall the stock prop is 9x9 1/4 or so (its in your owners manual.) you might want to drop a 1/2 to 1 inch of pitch and see if that works.

I have since upsized from the 9.9 tiller to a 25 (still honda) with a steering wheel, now I can get 25 mph on my 12 foot livingston, up from maybe 16 with the 9.9.

A 15 honda is under powered if you want to plane with any gear or passengers.

If you want to slow troll and plane with a single prop get a EZ troller plate, and cut off about 1/2 of it. That's what I did with the 12 footer and 25 honda. Its one way to keep a prop with adequate pitch for planing, adequate prop area for hole shot and still slow down enough without lugging the engine and troll at 1.5 mph.

http://www.honda-marine.com/owners/OwnerManuals.aspx

When you go from 20 to 25 you go from 2 to 3 cylinders, big change in vibration and noise. If there are any boats around they will usually drown out the 3 cylinder with thier noise, the 3 cylinders are that quiet at idle.

Love the Hondas, I can run around and fish all day and burn around a gallon. If I don't catch my own bait bait costs more than the gasoline. And no 2 stroke or diesel stink. You can smell the other boats that pass by.

[timinthegorge]

You added a 15 4-stroke after your 15 2-stroke died on a 16' Smokercraft? More weight, same hp? And you're having problems gettin' outta the hole? Huh....

I had a 14' alumacraft, with a 25hp 2-stroke Nissan. It got up quick and I never had a problem with power. My current 19' hull is rated at 115, and that's what's hangin' on the stern, in the 4-stroke model. No problems with power to plane in a hurry...

What's the hull rated for? Go with that.... :twocents: