What angle should motor be

[pike]

Have just bought a sib and a little 2hp Yamaha outboard. Took it for a test drive yesterday. The motor was set on the notch nearest the mounting bracket. After a couple of miles set the motor on a different angle 3 notches away from the mounting bracket it seemed to go a bit faster. At what angle should it be set at.
Also learnt a valuable lesson don't leave your jerry can in the van had to row the last 400yrds back as I ran out of fuel.

[nala]

Im sure there will be more advise to source from other members.....in the meantime here goes..

Anyway you've answered part of the question yourself, you said it goes better at a certain setting.......that tells you engine and hull are in good alignment..

But,things can and do change.......sea state,wind, tide and load position etc which will affect the performance.

But have a read of this......http://www.tropicalboating.com/2007/12/small-outboard-engine-tilt-and-trim-theory-and-practice

It'll give you some idea on what's going on, and the boat's pivot point and center of gravity will also play a part in the boats behavior.

ie your position, load and the engine tilt....

Most of the time it's trial and error.......

But, consider your safety first

Hitting a wave and catching the air (or wind) beneath the boat can flip it over ... so the above points can be crucial.

[philpot]

To be honest, once the engine is set, you will not need to move it again unless the load in the boat changes very much. As Alan has said, there is a degree of trial and error and with a 2.5hp, it will not make a huge difference.

The best way to set the angle is to put the outfit on the water and set the engine as best you can to 90 degrees to the water and that is your start point, if possible get someone to sit in the SIB in the position you normally sit when driving the SIB, if it engine is still at 90 degrees, leave it, if not, make an adjustment.

Now try the SIB under power and see how it performs. If you change anything, only move one notch at a time and test until you are happy.

Phil

[pike]

Thanks for the advice will have a play around with it on my next outing. Think a bigger motor might be getting bought shortly.

[davidbennett]

defo worth having a tinker with the engine etc
I changed the angle of the engine last weekend and my 3.8 sib with a Suzuki 6hp now planes with one person in!
I also changed the flooring from a heavy wooden floor to aluminium extrusions/thin ply wood floor so this helped also!