2014 Nitro Z6

[stephen67]

recently purchase a new 2014 nitro z6 with 115 hp pro xs. With a full load (gas, live full, 2 people, and tackle) the boat would not plane. After 5 weeks at dealer and 2 prop changes boat still takes 45 seconds to plane out with with a full load. Anyone one with these issues and/or corrections.

[Fishing Rhino]

Too much weight aft can make it difficult for a boat to get up on plane. 

 

Incorrect motor trim, motor too low, too much tilt.  Visualize a motor with a very long lower unit.  It provides leverage for the prop to lift the bow out of the water.  Long enough and the boat would flip over on its back. 

 

You need forward thrust on a hull to get it on plane.  A motor set too deep will tend to lift the bow.  Too shallow and cavitation, today, I think it's called ventilation, will result.  No matter what it's called, the prop will draw air and lose thrust.

 

A boat is like a jigsaw puzzle.  All the pieces have to be assembled properly for it to be solved.

 

Steering input can help a boat get on plane quicker, but finding the sweet spot takes some trial and error.  It helps to lift the stern of the boat because you have a larger surface exerting lift on the stern.

 

If you can, try moving gear from the aft lockers to the forward storage compartments.  But it's a compromise.  As you add weight to the bow, you will lose top end speed.  It will result in more "wetted area" on the hull which increases drag.

 

Did they try a four bladed prop? 

[tomustang]

What props did you use?

Why did it take 5 weeks at a dealer?

What pvs plugs are in the prop(s)?

And the stupid question, are you sure you're trim is all the way down?

[stephen67]

Too much weight aft can make it difficult for a boat to get up on plane. 

 

Incorrect motor trim, motor too low, too much tilt.  Visualize a motor with a very long lower unit.  It provides leverage for the prop to lift the bow out of the water.  Long enough and the boat would flip over on its back. 

 

You need forward thrust on a hull to get it on plane.  A motor set too deep will tend to lift the bow.  Too shallow and cavitation, today, I think it's called ventilation, will result.  No matter what it's called, the prop will draw air and lose thrust.

 

A boat is like a jigsaw puzzle.  All the pieces have to be assembled properly for it to be solved.

 

Steering input can help a boat get on plane quicker, but finding the sweet spot takes some trial and error.  It helps to lift the stern of the boat because you have a larger surface exerting lift on the stern.

 

If you can, try moving gear from the aft lockers to the forward storage compartments.  But it's a compromise.  As you add weight to the bow, you will lose top end speed.  It will result in more "wetted area" on the hull which increases drag.

 

Did they try a four bladed prop? 

moved most of my gear front, engine is at its highest on the transome, went from 22pitch 3 blade to 21p 3 blade to a 21p four blade this has helped but not corrected the problem. Dealer tells me motor is OK. By myself and no water in the livewell still takes better than 10 seconds to plane, add 1 person and I'm back to over 30 seconds.

[Fishing Rhino]

My 09 Z-7 was atrocious to get up on plane.  This was pre RPS (rapid planing system).  It was much like yours, taking forever at times to get up on plane.

 

The problem was solved by putting on a prop with more, not less pitch. 

 

What do you turn for RPMs at full throttle?  On my Z-7, it would occasionally over rev, setting off the alarm.

 

When I took it back to BPS, their "expert" asked me if I had changed the prop.  Told him no.  He asked again.  I told him I would certainly remember changing the prop.  He then said it was not the correct prop and they replaced it with a prop that had two or three more inches of pitch.

 

It still wasn't the best at getting up on plane when loaded with fuel and another fisherman, but, it was a great improvement.  Get to half tank of fuel or less, and it would jump right up on plane.  It had a 150 hp Merc.  It also revved considerably less when taking off at full throttle.

 

The Z-8 I have now gets up on plane easily with a 200 Merc on the stern, and the RPS hull.

 

They may have gone the wrong way on the pitch.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Dumb question. You said the motor was mounted all the way up on the transom. I'll assume no jackplate. What kind of RPM's are you seeing when you try to get up on plane? I'm not familiar with that boat, but you could have the motor too high and are cavitating a lot. Could also be too much venting on the prop, or a combination of the two.

[gardnerjigman]

Dumb question. You said the motor was mounted all the way up on the transom. I'll assume no jackplate. What kind of RPM's are you seeing when you try to get up on plane? I'm not familiar with that boat, but you could have the motor too high and are cavitating a lot. Could also be too much venting on the prop, or a combination of the two.

Isn't cavitating and venting on the prop the same thing?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

In a nutshell, yes. If the motor is too high you can have cavitating. Or depending on the prop it could do the same. Two different problems possibly. Both could cause what's happening. Both combined would multiply it. It may or not be his problem. Never hurts to find out though.

[Hi Salenity]

Another question (no offense) are you actually timing this or guessing? Sorry, had to ask.

Honestly you may need to keep the wells empty and fuel tank at 1/4 tank or under and carry a light load to get any performance out of that boat.

I have a 186 Triton with a 150 and I know anything I put in it (fuel...) will slow it down in every way.

[Sam]

Take the boat to a repair shop other than the BPS Power Pros.

 

I have found the Power Pros to be a disaster.

 

There has to be a qualified mechanic for your motor type somewhere in your geographical area.

 

Go see that person and forget the Power Pros and the sales people at BPS.

 

Just a word to the wise.

[stephen67]

no jackplate, was at a local dealer and not bps, yes I timed it, The dealer said the motor height was right. I have had rangers, tritons, and others and never had this problem. I appreciate all the replies but to me if the boat wont perform under nearly a full load then its not as advertised. When I hit the throttle the rpms go to 3,000 and stop there then slowly go up and at about 3800 or 4000 it seems take off into higher rpms and goes on plane.

Dealer wants me to install a dolphin fin but I shouldn't have to he also says they have done all they can. Been talking to customer rep Jeff Gardner but he has offered little in solutions other then ok warranty work. Next time on the water will check to see where cavitation plate is running while on plane maybe I am getting air but it doesn't sound like it. Anyone have anymore ideas I would appreciate them.

 

thanks,

 

Steve

[flyfisher]

it sounds to me like you need t goo up the food chain a little bit.  You have given them every opportunity to help and fix the problem in what sounds like a respectable manner and been told oh well use an aftermarket piece to help out.  That to me is not acceptable on a brand new boat. 

[WIGuide]

You might want to drop down a little more in pitch and most likely a 4 blade. Go to a different dealer if available and try out different props. They will usually let you as long as you don't damage them. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Have you looked at this test result on Mercury's website.

 

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/engine-tests/boat-house-bulletin/?ID=1176&

[Tim Kelly]

If you're not running the boat at high altitude then I would think there's something wrong with the motor.

[Felix77]

Did you properly break in the motor?  One of my friends started with a Z-6 and said he couldn't get it to plane through most of the breaking in period.  Once it was broken in he was able to throttle up and get on plane with no issues.  I partnered with him on a few tournaments which included a full tank, full livewells and 2 very "not-so-skinny" people.  It took a moment to plane but nothing unreasonable for this size boat/motor.

 

Good luck.