Mercury outboard motor height testing and performance

in this video Im checking the 2020 mercury four stroke 150hp cavitation/ventilation plate height. then raising the motor 1 1/2" or the third hole down, on a 2000 Sea Fox 192 center console. and checking performance gains.

[@jeffmays1733]

great job of explaining what you are doing and why you are doing it. very useful. thank you

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Thanks for the comment!

[@krisbrown5322]

Looks perfect. And the rpms are spot on

[@garycox8245]

Helpful video for any boat and i know with experience it can be tough dealing with outboard transom placement on any boat with a step hulls

[@dwightbernheimer331]

When you have a stepped hull like the one you have... Your best option is a good Jack Plate then you can fine tune everything without any hassle... Good stuff thanks for posting... used to race Molinari tunnel Hull boats with Mercurys... we used to go up or down 1/8 of an inch at a time you can't believe the difference, props make a big difference also... once you change one thing, you're changing everything LOL

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Thanks for the comment. I agree 100% small changes can have a big effect, when i raised the motor to the next hole down in PT.2 it removed the chine walking and improved the handling overall.

[@bouldernelsonbigfoot]

I would go up 1/2 a hole, lol. Nice Video ,thx.

[@larrypoeschel6871]

Go up another hole and trim it less. Thanks for the video Larry

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Watch part 2. Thanks for the comment!

[@jstorres486]

When u use a straight edge to see where it ends up on cavitation plate is the motor fully trimmed up or down? This a great video I have the same type hull.

[@johninnz]

Great video...did you ho ip an extra hole in the finish?

[@bouldernelsonbigfoot]

Doing the same thing with my Astro Bass Boat.

[@panamacitybeachbum]

Since you asked for feedback...I will oblige. Get an Atlas jack plate 4 " setback installed on that transom if you are SERIOUS about fuel economy and better performance. You can thank me later.

[@ismailhitam7321]

Good explaining i follow u

[@ecmo2007]

Great video thank you. I also have a stepped hull and have been chasing an issue with getting on plane and not reaching full RPM. I think this may be the answer. Can you tell me what size & pitch prop you are using?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

It was a Solas stainless 15.5 17p. Not reaching full rpm could be a multitude of things. What is you max RPM currently? If you are only making lets say 4000 i would look into something causing the motor to go into limp mode. if thats the case check out the youtube channel born again boating, he has a great video on that subject.

[@MrDavidelliottjr]

Get a jack plate from merc. It's so nice to be able to up 6 inches when u pick your boat up. I have one one both my boats. 300 berado and my 50 4 stroke.

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

I looked into jack plates. I like the idea of being able to adjust the motor height for the changing conditions. waiting for the season to start so i can get more content and time on the placement as it is from PT.2. If it becomes a problem i will most likely in stall one. Thanks for the comment!

[@jimmiller4951]

@@saltwateroffshore9802 , If you haven't gotten a jack plate as far as I'm concerned there is only one brand to buy hands down Bob'S Machine shop . bobsmachine.com/

[@MrAsankarajitha]

Great video

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Thanks!

[@davidweber4181]

that's why they have hydraulic jack plates

[@antoniageleta1561]

Good job

[@CH-qy5sn]

Would you reseal the mounting bolts every time you move the motor up/down to test it or would you just seal them when you are completely done testing and find the correct height?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Every time last thing you want is water in the transom.

[@hapaboy65m87]

nice rig

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Thanks for the comment

[@maineoutdoorsman677]

1 inch up for every 1 ft back in hight over the bottom cavation plate the lowest plate

[@froggerman44]

Does that work with any boat/ motor combo? I have a 16 fish and ski with a 70 evinrude , it is 3/4 of an inch up.

[@gatgolf]

can you re-type this info more clearly and what is the source of this information?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

it's more of a rule of thumb and a starting off point. every boat is different has different loads ect. the biggest part is not having the drag of the lower unit in the water.

[@alannapartin336]

go up 2 more and get a better prop

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Watch part 2. it's kind of the same video but I raised another hole and showed how it handles with some sharp turns. Nothing really wrong with the prop that I have it has tons of cup, But I am keeping my eye out for another prop to try.

[@alannapartin336]

BURRIED!!!! then ALMOST ok

[@boardstretcher6526]

I have a Grady white 23 ft 300 hp and have it on 3rd hole and think I may move up to 4th hole

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

I have moved this motor to a new boat hull and I put it in the third hole but think the fourth hole could be the next move. seems that the motor always wants to be higher than you think

[@kongsam637]

Hi, I have a 2018 190 TX with a Mercury 115hp EFI 2,1L. I am running with a 13" x 19 Pitch prop. In the beginning with WOT I can reach 5500 rpm 42 mph. loaded with fishing gear and ice boxes. I don't know what happens, now after 1/2 hour on the water, the speed drop from 40mph, to 30 mph then 20 mph. I service the engine every year. Change engine, gear oil and water pump impeller. We scanned the engine and everything is OK. Please can anyone help? Also what is the correct prop size of this boat?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

I responded to you on the first videos comments.

[@jaygonzz_]

Great clip! Do you trim the motor all the way down to measure off your v, or was it trimmed up a bit so there’s a straight line back to the motor? Thanks in advance!

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

I used a straight edge ran along the bottom of the the hull. Trimmed the motor so the leading edge of the motor is parallel (as the motor swings in an arc trimmed in and out) for a more accurate measurement.

[@jaygonzz_]

@@saltwateroffshore9802 I’ll give that a try, thank you!

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

It only takes a little time and it's not that hard. With a little adjusting you can see some good gains. You might have to move it a few times to see how the boat reacts. but it worth it in the long run. If you haven't yet don't forget to take a look at the PT.2 video also!

[@randyevan8893]

you all probably dont give a shit but does someone know a trick to get back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot my password. I appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@lennonneil7334]

@Randy Evan Instablaster =)

[@25childers]

Your video was a huge help. Thanks

[@NCSTRIPER]

I would probably leave it where you have it. If you can trim up and ventilate the prop, you are probably high enough. How does it perform in a heavy chop?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

Thank you for your comment. On the handling potion as of now it is not blowing the prop in heavy chop or hard turns turns but it started to have a bit of chine walking close to WOT. I could not find a more in depth video breaking down the different elevations that shows performance gains and show how the vessel reacts to the changes. Talking with the Mercury techs we came up with raising it another hole. As long as the motor keeps water pressure it should not hurt the motor. i will find a happy place with the motor height for good performance and stability on the hull motor combination. Performance is not the only criteria for the videos. next video should be coming soon when the weather clears up.

[@ErnestoFavor76]

Looking at the water over the cav plate in the start of the video I think you need at least one more hole up, I think even 2........, looking at your 2nd ride I'd think it even more so. Waiting for the next video, am curious, goodluck 👍🏼

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

video on the way adding sea star hydraulic steering as well

[@weeds5636]

@@saltwateroffshore9802 interested to see how you went with the next hole up - did it get onto plane quicker?

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

I'm getting ready to test the motor on the forth hole soon. That video will be up shortly, one issue i've noticed is the boat started to chine walk at close to WOT in the third hole.

[@dickhayden7275]

O

[@mcplutt]

Anti-ventilation plate :-) No hydraulic steering? :-)

[@saltwateroffshore9802]

yes you're right as you see in the description I do have cav/vent plate. it seems to be one of the terminologies that has stuck. if you have the chance to watch PT.2 you will see that i have installed and sea star hydraulic steering. Thanks for watching!