I've been working on optimizing an old 12' 1968 Appleby Lake Fisher with a Mercury 2.5 HP. These are some great tips that I've used through the process. It's amazing how much of a difference I've been able to make. When I first tested it, I was topping out at around 6-6.5 MPH, now my best speed record is around 11.5 MPH, 9.5-10 MPH with gear. I swapped out the carb for the 3.5 HP model since the 2.5 and 3.5 also only have the carb as a different part. Another great tip for Mercury owners is to seek out Tohatsu branded parts. As far as I can tell, they are the exact same part at a much reduced price. There was a big difference in prices between the Mercury and Tohatsu carbs. Doing that combined with weight management helped a lot. I was too back heavy before so shifting my seating position and other weight forward gained me some additional MPH. I could sacrifice some weight but I like the piece of mind my 70 lb trolling motor battery gives in case that gas motor craps out on me! Next step is trim position. The motor was missing the thrust rod so I've got that on order.
Bonus #11 - iridium spark plug lol! Awesome tips, thanks for the video. I did read that hydrofoils are essentially a way to 'correct' an improper set-up. Such as using a long shaft motor when the boat actually needs a short. But I guess if it gives lift, the lift it gives could offset any extra drag it produces if it gets you on plane. But -- then that would speak to having an underpowered motor (or overloaded boat).
@@Skinnyriverlol may even one day get your money back via youtube!! I did buy a hydrofoil for the 6hp...still haven't installed it as I couldn't get up the courage to drill holes in the anti-ventilation plate of a new outboard lol
@@Skinnyriverprobably gunna let it sit in a box for a few years first lol. ps I reached out to tohatsu and they do not recommend the iridium spark plug in these motors, so I take bonus #11 back!!
For # 10 For higher speeds rough paint (like shark or dolphin skin) makes kind of cavitation (air bubbles) and reduces drag. Polishing the bottom of the hull might have the opposite effect.
Good point, kind of like when something sticks when sliding on a super smooth surfaces. Almost creates a vacuum because nothing is there to break it up like imperfections. Would be interesting to test
Another good vid!!! I ditched my 3 gallon tank for a 1 gallon based on my fishing trips. Longer runs, then I take my 3 gallon tank. Both my Tohatsu and Yamaha 6hp have an integral tank. Fastest I've gone on my Solo Skiff is 18mph, but that's with me shifting my weight while enroute at WOT. I usually plane np, but agree with several factors, such as trim, weight/load, and weather conditions. I have about of 1.5-2" of height play, just been too lazy to mess with it. I also upgraded my 2006 4hp Tohatsu to make it a 6hp using and OEM Tohatsu Outboard, significant difference in performance between a 4hp and 6hp.
Thanks!! 18 mph is smokin on a small setup! Fun stuff, awesome the 6hp upgrade helped out. I’ve heard anlot of people really tell a difference with the upgrade
i have a takacat 280L small and short inflatable catamaran dingy. (20kg) me 70kg and with my gf 60kg and just a bit of gear and i barely go over 12km/h (9mph) Im super dissapointed :( boat + engine + 2person + some gear just is about 180kg. I see people with a heavy metal john boat and 2 persons reach over 20kmh easily :( Im not sure if i do anything wrong, i also have a 6hp yamaha outboard. im ok if i dont plane but i hoped to get at least 15km/h out of this engine. Any help is appreciated Cheers
Check out this guy ruclips.net/video/v8AgO21qD0M/видео.htmlsi=v49vQavf2gJCC_f3 He has a 6hp and a dingy. Dingies are hard bc they are so short and aren’t really designed for speed. He has a lot of pointers
@@Skinnyriver im not really sure what do to. I thought i should get more pitch so i can increase my speed. right now i barely reach 12km/h, if i get a lower pich prop, wont i reach even less speed? All this stuff is super confusing
It really depends, if the lower pitch prop helps you get on plane it would increase your top speed. I would honestly give it a shot, you can get one for like $40 on Amazon. Also have you tried all the trim positions on the 6hp? That could also help. Also reach out to the guy in the video link. He is really helpful and has a similar setup as you
@@Skinnyriver Thanks for your replies. I am now rocking a 7 1/4 x 8 1/4 prop. next time the weather is good i will try it out again with all trim positions. If im still not statisfied i will try a lower pitched prop and hope that helps.
I've been working on optimizing an old 12' 1968 Appleby Lake Fisher with a Mercury 2.5 HP. These are some great tips that I've used through the process. It's amazing how much of a difference I've been able to make. When I first tested it, I was topping out at around 6-6.5 MPH, now my best speed record is around 11.5 MPH, 9.5-10 MPH with gear.
I swapped out the carb for the 3.5 HP model since the 2.5 and 3.5 also only have the carb as a different part. Another great tip for Mercury owners is to seek out Tohatsu branded parts. As far as I can tell, they are the exact same part at a much reduced price. There was a big difference in prices between the Mercury and Tohatsu carbs.
Doing that combined with weight management helped a lot. I was too back heavy before so shifting my seating position and other weight forward gained me some additional MPH. I could sacrifice some weight but I like the piece of mind my 70 lb trolling motor battery gives in case that gas motor craps out on me! Next step is trim position. The motor was missing the thrust rod so I've got that on order.
Awesome stuff! Sounds like you have a great setup! 11mph is smoking on a 2.5hp!!!
Bonus #11 - iridium spark plug lol! Awesome tips, thanks for the video.
I did read that hydrofoils are essentially a way to 'correct' an improper set-up. Such as using a long shaft motor when the boat actually needs a short. But I guess if it gives lift, the lift it gives could offset any extra drag it produces if it gets you on plane. But -- then that would speak to having an underpowered motor (or overloaded boat).
lol 😂 yeah I’ve been wanting to buy a hydrofoil to test but just haven’t pulled the trigger. I could probably at least get a video out of it
@@Skinnyriverlol may even one day get your money back via youtube!! I did buy a hydrofoil for the 6hp...still haven't installed it as I couldn't get up the courage to drill holes in the anti-ventilation plate of a new outboard lol
@dustinj7650 let me know when you try it!
@@Skinnyriverprobably gunna let it sit in a box for a few years first lol. ps I reached out to tohatsu and they do not recommend the iridium spark plug in these motors, so I take bonus #11 back!!
@dustinj7650 lol on the spark plug. Curious if the gave a reason? I might need to change mine back out lol
For # 10 For higher speeds rough paint (like shark or dolphin skin) makes kind of cavitation (air bubbles) and reduces drag. Polishing the bottom of the hull might have the opposite effect.
Good point, kind of like when something sticks when sliding on a super smooth surfaces. Almost creates a vacuum because nothing is there to break it up like imperfections. Would be interesting to test
Another good vid!!! I ditched my 3 gallon tank for a 1 gallon based on my fishing trips. Longer runs, then I take my 3 gallon tank. Both my Tohatsu and Yamaha 6hp have an integral tank. Fastest I've gone on my Solo Skiff is 18mph, but that's with me shifting my weight while enroute at WOT. I usually plane np, but agree with several factors, such as trim, weight/load, and weather conditions. I have about of 1.5-2" of height play, just been too lazy to mess with it. I also upgraded my 2006 4hp Tohatsu to make it a 6hp using and OEM Tohatsu Outboard, significant difference in performance between a 4hp and 6hp.
Thanks!! 18 mph is smokin on a small setup! Fun stuff, awesome the 6hp upgrade helped out. I’ve heard anlot of people really tell a difference with the upgrade
My bathtub boat is too heavy for any motor 😂
😂
i have a takacat 280L small and short inflatable catamaran dingy. (20kg)
me 70kg and with my gf 60kg and just a bit of gear and i barely go over 12km/h (9mph)
Im super dissapointed :( boat + engine + 2person + some gear just is about 180kg. I see people with a heavy metal john boat and 2 persons reach over 20kmh easily :(
Im not sure if i do anything wrong, i also have a 6hp yamaha outboard. im ok if i dont plane but i hoped to get at least 15km/h out of this engine.
Any help is appreciated
Cheers
Check out this guy
ruclips.net/video/v8AgO21qD0M/видео.htmlsi=v49vQavf2gJCC_f3
He has a 6hp and a dingy. Dingies are hard bc they are so short and aren’t really designed for speed. He has a lot of pointers
@@Skinnyriver im not really sure what do to. I thought i should get more pitch so i can increase my speed.
right now i barely reach 12km/h, if i get a lower pich prop, wont i reach even less speed? All this stuff is super confusing
It really depends, if the lower pitch prop helps you get on plane it would increase your top speed. I would honestly give it a shot, you can get one for like $40 on Amazon. Also have you tried all the trim positions on the 6hp? That could also help. Also reach out to the guy in the video link. He is really helpful and has a similar setup as you
@@Skinnyriver Thanks for your replies.
I am now rocking a 7 1/4 x 8 1/4 prop.
next time the weather is good i will try it out again with all trim positions.
If im still not statisfied i will try a lower pitched prop and hope that helps.
@sparklauerei1 good luck, keep me updated. I don’t have a lot of experience with Dingies so I am really interested. 🤞