The Boating Forum - HUGE Wake !!

After I changed out a 225 Merc..for the 225 E-tec (lighter than the Merc) I have had a really big wake...at all speeds except the slowest of slow (when coming into the marina, almost at idle)...my wake when running is the smallest when running at the fastest speeds (approx 5600 rpm)..but all other ranges like anything over 800rpm is huge.

Ques. Would raising the engine a notch on the bracket help to decreae the wake? or not?.....it is really annoying to me because I don't like the idea of throwing a wake at small boats..just not my thing, so I steer way way away from them, but still its not right. I never had a boat that did this before....what do you think? ;?

.Run at about 21 mph with just a touch of trim. But ballast fwd to make the wake a little more rampy and clean up the lip. maybe about 400 lbs. With a rope and handle of about 70 feet you should get good pop. remember, head up, handle down and keep a progressive edge all the way through the wake. Straighten your knees right when you hit the lip and you should get booted high enough to throw your best tricks.Hope this helps.... :grin:

Baitkiller, you would have a lot of fun behind my boat...bigger waves than on a beach in a hurricane................:roll

You have a big heavy boat built to take a beating. It pushes a lot of water and you are going to make a big wake, it's not the engine. Your perception may be altered but I'm sure it's the same as before.

If your new setup is making you run bow-up, and it's not increased weight....prop can provide lift so look there...engine height can make some difference...time for tabs?...

I really don't think its my perception...although it may be??

Slickster, it may be time for the trim tabs, but this boat never had them in past and seemed to be alright until I changed out engine...I was looking for a quick fix but I guess thats not going to be in the cards....thank you you for your input. It is appreciated... :thumbsup:

Lighter engine may have raised the stern and lowered the bow. Try moving people forward and back and see how it effects the wake and then handling at speed. Might be time to move some weight around on the boat if possible. I wonder if the bow dropped just enough so the water is catching the edge of the chine further forward at a different angle then before?

Suggest trying keeping the trim way down/in when wake is large and slowing to 4 kts or less min. wake speed in congested areas as it sounds like you do.

Also your idea of trim tabs will help a bit at slow speed and greatly enhance your boating enjoyment & likely economy at higher speeds. Just remember to retract them when backing.

try trimming your engines up when going through a no-wake zone this should help

Did you keep the same prop? If so, the right prop would make a diffrence. Regardless of the prop, your rig would benefit from tabs.

If your new setup is making you run bow-up, and it's not increased weight....prop can provide lift so look there...engine height can make some difference...time for tabs?...

The prop isnt gonna give him lift at 800 RPM's........:roll He already said the wake was smallest running fast, which is normal.

This is likely perception unless there is a significant weight change/increase with the new engine, but the E-TEC is lighter so that point is mute.

I really love all the responses...you guys are mentioning things I would never have thought about...I will try moving people around to redistribute the weight..the prop was changed by the installer of the engine and it is a different pitch then the original one (perhaps thats it?)...I will be taking it, the engine, in for its 3 yr maintenance in sept. and I'm going to have the dealer check all this out.. as this is a pretty heavy boat, I do like the idea of trim tabs, and will put these on my wish list for next season...I believe the handling would improve greatly, especially the attitude of the boat etc....thx again :thumbsup: