Getting out of the hole

Brush Hawg · June 27, 2018, 09:25:54 PM

My Nitro Z6 delaminated two years ago and Bass Pro Shoos "fixed it". It used to get on plane with no issues with a full livewell and a partner. Now it won't get on plane in that scenario. I have added a manual jack plate and asked a prop shop about a four blade prop. They said my RPMs are right for the boat. Do any of you think a hydrofoil will help? I'm extremely tired of asking my tournament partner to move to the front deck until out of the hole.

Princeton_Man · June 28, 2018, 05:49:28 AM

Quote from: Brush Hawg on June 27, 2018, 09:25:54 PM
My Nitro Z6 delaminated two years ago and Bass Pro Shoos "fixed it". It used to get on plane with no issues with a full livewell and a partner. Now it won't get on plane in that scenario. I have added a manual jack plate and asked a prop shop about a four blade prop. They said my RPMs are right for the boat. Do any of you think a hydrofoil will help? I'm extremely tired of asking my tournament partner to move to the front deck until out of the hole.

I'd be trying to find the reason it's not performing as it did before BPS "fixed it". Where was it de-laminating? What exactly did they do? Did someone swap props on you? Have you checked compression on all the cylinders? Did you add the jackplate in an attempt to correct the performance loss?

Your numbers can be right with a 3 blade and a 4 blade prop. Generally if you run a 25p 3 blade, you'd want to run a 24p 4 blade.

Brush Hawg · June 28, 2018, 03:29:17 PM

Supposedly they replaced the hull. I'm starting to think they just glassed over the bad spot. It was about 6 feet long and was on the starboard side. It started two feet from the point of the bow and ran underneath the boat. I pUt the jackplate bease multiple people thought it would get me out of the hole. It doesn't need much, once it gets out of the hole the top end speed is about like it was before. It is just really hard to get out of the hole with a full live well and an adult partner in the boat.

Mike Cork · June 28, 2018, 03:32:37 PM

Brush Hawg I would be concerned with their fix. I just don't trust them at all now. We had a guy in the TCTC go through something just as scary as you. His hull warped, my guess is it separated from the stringers. Anyway, when it got it's worst he tried to turn slight right the boat hooked left. Then BPS said they'd do something.

A hydrofoil will help get a boat on pad faster. Just make sure there isn't something structural causing an issue first. How to do that, well it will require a specialist getting in their and looking.

Brush Hawg · June 28, 2018, 07:46:59 PM

Any idea where to find a hull specialist?

Princeton_Man · June 29, 2018, 05:57:46 AM

If they replaced the hull, wouldn't you have a different hull number?

First thing I'd do is go to BPS and get some kind of documentation from BPS detailing what exactly they did. If they contracted it out to a glass shop, go to the glass shop and get the information.

IMHO You shouldn't have to work and spend your money to regain what you already had. Warranty repair shouldn't have added weight or changed any of the boat's specifications.

Nutt · June 29, 2018, 09:56:00 AM

I have a friend that had issues getting on plane with his, also. I remember it had something to do with his prop or prop sleeve or something. Whatever it was, it was an easy fix. I will call him and see what it was and get back to you. BTW, Im the one Mike is talking about with the hooked hull. Like he said, it took a scary ordeal that could have been really bad, but they are replacing my hull as I type this.

Mike Cork · June 29, 2018, 10:04:17 AM

Quote from: Brush Hawg on June 28, 2018, 07:46:59 PM
Any idea where to find a hull specialist?

Only one I know about is up there at Toledo Bend, Toledo Glass. I also agree that you shouldn't have to spend your dollars to get back to what you bought. So keep every receipt from jackplate to prop to anyone that looks at it. Unfortunately, it might take a lawsuit to get you right

I'm sure you've told your dealer that it's not the same boat you bought?

Brush Hawg · June 29, 2018, 11:29:52 AM

Yes I have Mike, sadly they aren't very customer oriented. They could really care less.

Nutt · June 29, 2018, 02:13:08 PM

As it turns out, my friend just had to play with the vent plugs in his prop and it fixed his problem.

Mike Cork · June 29, 2018, 03:47:52 PM

Quote from: Brush Hawg on June 29, 2018, 11:29:52 AM
Yes I have Mike, sadly they aren't very customer oriented. They could really care less.

That doesn't surprise me at all

WTodd · June 30, 2018, 01:28:54 PM

One of my shortest fuses are over bad customer service; just fries my ass.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ron Fogelson · August 05, 2018, 02:17:49 PM

Quote from: Nutt on June 29, 2018, 02:13:08 PM
As it turns out, my friend just had to play with the vent plugs in his prop and it fixed his problem.

Is the motor slow to build rpms with two of you sitting in the boat? If so removing a plug or going to a larger opening will fix that,,,, if your blowing out when you take of and cant get a goo bite to get you up on pad without moving forward then lowering the jp or adjusting the vent holes with a smaller plug of closing them with help as well. Only mess with one vent at a time, doesn't look like much but each on makes a big difference in how the motor and prop act.

Princeton_Man · August 07, 2018, 05:54:44 PM

Here's some thoughts.

If what you're describing is weight related, it has to be a significant amount of weight. If it's hull/stringer joining issues it'll be harder to prove without splitting it. Which is also an option.You might split the hull and find a toolbox in there. (Maybe a metal detector on the bottom of the hull?)

It could cost as much as much or more than a prop but, If you can find a company that does non-destructive x-ray or ultrasonic testing, define an area to test and an area that wasn't affected. If the results show a repair/fix you'll have what you need to go after them.

A moisture meter could/might indicate moisture differences in the hull, that alone could be the evidence you need.

Lastly, strip it down. Take out the batteries, fuel, accessories, and of course empty out the lockers. Then find some truck scales. You should be able to find the weight of the trailer and motor easy enough but if not, launch the boat and weigh the trailer.

It's all kind of a PITA but if you're being hosed and can prove it, you should be able to come out ahead or at least where you should be.

Nutt · August 09, 2018, 07:54:38 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on June 29, 2018, 05:57:46 AM
If they replaced the hull, wouldn't you have a different hull number?

I got mine back and it performs better than it did when I first got it. It has a new hull, and no, it doesn't have a different number. They pop off the old tag and put it on the new hull, which I am actually glad they do this so I didn't have to go thru the headache of changing paperwork at the credit union, State Farm, etc. As far as getting out of the hole, I would listen to Ron and play with the plugs. I am slowly getting my boat dialed in as far as speed and drivability(was having a chine walk issue), and now I noticed this past weekend in a tournament that I am slow to get out of the hole also. I had not driven the boat with full livewells since I have had it back and there is a difference. I watched my tach and saw my rpm's were a little low, so I am going to play with the vent holes this weekend and see if that helps. Right now, all of my plugs are solid because that's what Mercury recommends on a 150 4 stroke motor.