On the plane.... almost!

BrAinZ · 17 March 2012, 22:35

Hi Guys,

Took the wife's Ribeye IF250 2.5m inflatable out last weekend.This is an inflatable V hull model and nice and light. I also bought her a 2003 Mariner 5hp 2-stroke engine to go with it.

The engine seemed to run well, and it was great fun.

The boat didn't quite get up onto the plane though, so was just wondering if there was any tips to help with this, or do you think that the engine isn't ever going to be quite powerful enough to do this?

We were both in the boat, so maybe it would with only one of us, but that would defeat the point of having the little boat, and I certainly couldn't trust her to take it out by herself

The boat specs 5hp as the max... but I'm brave

BrAinZ · 17 March 2012, 22:37

Oh.. here's a video if it helps...

[youtube]

thestig1973 · 17 March 2012, 22:49

I'm not sure if 5 HPI will get 2 adults on the plane..... But you could try circling round a few times to create a ripple in the water then go straight forward.....as you go full speed across the ripples it "might" help
.. I'm no expert and not sure it will work, worth a try though

Dusk · 17 March 2012, 22:56

LOL Brainz - was the set up REALLY for your wife??

willk · 17 March 2012, 22:56

That video cheered my evening up a lot

You certainly did look close to planing. I'd recommend a tiller extension. Don't buy one to try - just use a piece of PVC piping and test it. Sitting forward can help get over the hump. Other than that you look OK. Put the fuel in the bow. Make sure that your tube and deck pressures are perfect, i.e. use a gauge. If that doesn't do the do for you, try experimenting with different trim levels. Start low and work your way up.

I'd agree than 5hp is a touch low for two adults planing, but you don't look like XL fits, so fingers crossed.

BrAinZ · 17 March 2012, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusk

LOL Brainz - was the set up REALLY for your wife??

Yes.. The boat was her Christmas present, and the engine was a special treat for Valentines Day

The seat fits in two places, near the back, or just before halfway down the boat... where would most people put that?

On that little trip, we were sitting on the tubes, would it be better to snuggle up in the middle?

willk · 17 March 2012, 23:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

The seat fits in two places, near the back, or just before halfway down the boat... where would most people put that?

I'd put that seat somewhere safe, like the attic

I've never felt secure perched on the tubes while on the plane - but then my tub planes at comparatively high speeds.

raymillard · 18 March 2012, 08:15

2.5 seems a touch small to plane with 2 up. It will need quite a burst of power to lift it enough to plane.
However, Doelfins or similar on the engine might just do it.

It should plane 1 up though, so if you want speedy fun, you could take it out 1 at a time.

mostergr · 18 March 2012, 12:04

My sister has a 3m inflatable with a 5 hp Mercury four-stroke. I managed to get the boat to plane by moving my weight forward. Lacking a tiller extension I did this by lying outstreched on the sponson and steering with my foot - probably not to be recommended for an extended voyage :-)

It works with my son (6) on board as well, but with two adults you need more power to plane. I've already told my brother-in-law to buy a 10 hp instead!

lightning · 18 March 2012, 17:32

Our 2.8m Zodiac (wood floor, V-keel) would plane easily with a Mercury 6hp 4 stroke on it, achieving about 15mph on the GPS with two of us on board.
Our combined weight is about 20 stone, which is not that much, so it depends I guess how much you both weigh.
However I've just sold that engine and bought a Tohatsu 9.8hp 2 stroke which weighs only 26kg, the same as the Mercury 6hp.

BrAinZ · 18 March 2012, 23:49

All excellent advice.. Thanks guys!

Looks like the wife is going to have to go on a diet!

ukprometheus · 18 March 2012, 23:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

All excellent advice.. Thanks guys!

Looks like the wife is going to have to go on a diet!

im sure if you tell her that it will solve your problem, one up after your divorce.

lightning · 19 March 2012, 09:18

You could sell your 5hp and buy a Tohatsu 9.8 2-stroke like I did

Twice the power and no heavier

Your boat will plane then.....

BrAinZ · 19 March 2012, 09:32

Definitely an option. If one comes up, the wife may be getting an extra little treat

benc · 19 March 2012, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusk

LOL Brainz - was the set up REALLY for your wife??

I'm sure hes telling the truth about that... after all, my SIB is for my daughter....

d1ve1n · 22 March 2012, 13:02

hi
i used to get on the plane with a 2.9 m wetline with a 4hp 2 stroke engine
only me on
it took a while it needed to be flat calm, i had to kneel in the center of the boat as far forward as i could and go with the ripples; once it was on the plane i could sit wherever i wanted and head in the direction i needed to go
you need to get rid of all the weight in the boat

BrAinZ · 22 March 2012, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by d1ve1n

you need to get rid of all the weight in the boat

You are talking about the wife aren't you

BrAinZ · 26 March 2012, 21:50

Took the opportunity to drop the wife off on a pontoon on the river on Sunday, and tested the boat/engine with just me in.

I'm getting a divorce! The boat flies along with one up, straight up on the plane

Only joking about the divorce, I guess that I had better look for one of those 9.8hp Tohatsus

kubcat · 28 March 2012, 11:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

Took the opportunity to drop the wife off on a pontoon on the river on Sunday, and tested the boat/engine with just me in.

I'm getting a divorce! The boat flies along with one up, straight up on the plane

Only joking about the divorce, I guess that I had better look for one of those 9.8hp Tohatsus

I think the 9.8 may be a touch cheaper than the divorce.