13' funcat high speed instability

[scorpionpb]

Engine Specs - Johnson SST 60 short lower unit, not sure of prop size/kind but stainless high end prop, manual transom jack set @ mid point can't go any lower, starts to kick water.

Boat specs - 13' funcat excellent shape

Issue - trim all the way in, boat runs fast (50+) and stable, but as soon as i trim the slightest bit, boat starts to do a chine roll like a V-bottom. If i don't let off or trim down it gets so vilent i pukker up :eek: (you know what i mean).

what do you think, lets hear it!

[bigboy]

Dont know with prop you have but i think you can better have cleaver?

Maybe it gets to much bowlift while trimming.

Try raising the engine up...

[Fish]

how is your weight balanced in the boat? is it center steer?

[scorpionpb]

No, right side steer right hand prop - 12gal fuel tank slightly forward of mid boat, no change when full or empty.

[scorpionpb]

Bigboy,

I think the prop is called a chopper (not sure) but it is 14" three blade and is cupped. I have a cleaver but the tourqe steer was rediculous, took it right off.

[bigboy]

Is the torque fin removed?

I think you could better go to center steering. Or give your engine a bit offset. But i'm not sure!

[Fish]

just a guess, but given it is a right hand steer, when you trim it up, it tries to raise the bow, and the weight of the driver, pulls the right side down before the left, then the boat tries to raise it again.. etc. Have you tried to more weight (gas tank, battery..) around or run with someone else on the left side?

[skaterx]

If you want you can call me had one for 20 years with motors from 60 to 235 hp had it up to 92mph 609-744-3423

[scorpionpb]

Fish,

first time i had the boat in the water was last October 2006, i had second person approx same weight. It was really bad, but again i had the jack plate maxed up very vilent. Once i brought plate to half height fine until i trim.

Does this make any sense, can not enought skeg in water cause side slip?

[scorpionpb]

Bigboy,

Prop is to big had to be removed. Any alternatives?

thanks

[terry taylor]

HI.Sounds like its doing everything a high powered 13 ft. is suppose to do so you dont get bored . Useing finess to tame the beast is rather critical compared to some larger rigs. Im surprised a cleaver created torque steer but I would not recommend a 235 hp. as above stated thanks.

[evilntwisted]

listen Ihave a funcat with a 90 hp mariner and it runs 65 with a 24 chopper in one foot chop. my 6 gallon tank is on the passenger floor.

[mr_velocity]

Issue - trim all the way in, boat runs fast (50+) and stable, but as soon as i trim the slightest bit, boat starts to do a chine roll like a V-bottom. If i don't let off or trim down it gets so vilent i pukker up :eek: (you know what i mean).

what do you think, lets hear it!

If the boat is fast and stable with no trim, then why trim?

Peter at Skater once told me "trim is only for boats that are poorly designed." :D In our 36 Skater we NEVER ran any positive trim.

Hopefully we'll be taking our first ride since the rebuild of our Funcat this weekend. We're running a modded Stinger on it.

[WATERWINGS]

Can someone post a pic?

I can't place what one looks like.

All I can think of it the PowerCat

[mr_velocity]

Here you go.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3757/funcat1yw8.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7205/funcat2fa9.jpg

[WATERWINGS]

Cool little boat, I like that.

[HPShadow]

i have a funcat also with a 60 cmc plate the batt in the bow and a 10gal rear tank the boat runs its best with negitive trim i still am trying props but my stock aluminum runs better then the chopper that picks it up to much makes the back skate then hooks real bad in the turns?:confused:

[evilntwisted]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">ain't it a bitch when it hooks? mine does that to, that sudden left turn at 65 was a bit sary the first time it did it but I started to get used to it. After a while you when it is going to do it and work through it. I would like to try to get 70 out of mine before winter.


13' funcat 90 hp mariner
20' vegas xt 200 lohnson
30' villian 4 twin 454 mags
</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on">
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[mr_velocity]

i have a funcat also with a 60 cmc plate the batt in the bow and a 10gal rear tank the boat runs its best with negitive trim i still am trying props but my stock aluminum runs better then the chopper that picks it up to much makes the back skate then hooks real bad in the turns?:confused:

I almost have the same setup, although right now I have a Stinger (with trim) hanging on the CMC plate. Fuel tank and battery are in the same location. I couldn't get the boat to plane with a 3 blade chopper but did get it up with a 12 5/8 x 23 OMC race cleaver. Spun that prop to 6500. I'm looking real hard for a 4 blade cleaver to put on it next. The 3 blade just had a little too much slip and since the prop belongs to FastFred I can't do any mods to it. We tend to run a lot of snotty water so I'm thinking the 4 blade is gonna be a better prop.

[Fast Fred]

gots another prop for ya to try, dif' style, comin to ya, in a merc prop box:cool:
tryin to bag the phone, .

[mr_velocity]

gots another prop for ya to try, dif' style, comin to ya, in a merc prop box:cool:
tryin to bag the phone, .

Cool, also hoping to have this by Friday :cool:

[Fast Fred]

thats a big wheel:eek: , sendin reforcements:cool: , the HP kind, waitin on some reeds, so i can spin it up, tryin for fri:cool:

and how fast is a funcat with a 235hp? and a 90hp, how fast is that? :cool:

[mr_velocity]

thats a big wheel:eek: , sendin reforcements:cool: , the HP kind, waitin on some reeds, so i can spin it up, tryin for fri:cool:

and how fast is a funcat with a 235hp? and a 90hp, how fast is that? :cool:

Its almost 13 dia and 19 pitch, lets see how it goes. I'm waitin on those reinforcements cause I want to spin it to 8000 :cool:
Sure hope I don't need to change the gr again :p

Call me, I have a lu question for you. Think I lost the top seal.

[RIVERRUMMER 70]

Here you go.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3757/funcat1yw8.jpg
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7205/funcat2fa9.jpg

LOOKS TO ME IN THIS PHOTO THAT THE MOTOR IS UP ALL THE WAY !
AND AT THAT HEIGHT IT WILL BE LOOSE AS A 20 DOLLAR WHORE!
TRY MOVING GAS TANK AROUND OR 25# SHOT BAGS IN DIFF LOCATIONS TO BALLANCE IT BETTER AND AGAIN AS SOMEONE ELSE HAS SAID NO POSITIVE TRIM SHOULD BE NECC. MAYBE A TORQUE TAB WILL HELP WITH STEERING AT THE HIGH ENGINE SETTING. RACK STYLE TWIN CABLE STEERING?
:D

[mr_velocity]

LOOKS TO ME IN THIS PHOTO THAT THE MOTOR IS UP ALL THE WAY !
AND AT THAT HEIGHT IT WILL BE LOOSE AS A 20 DOLLAR WHORE!
TRY MOVING GAS TANK AROUND OR 25# SHOT BAGS IN DIFF LOCATIONS TO BALLANCE IT BETTER AND AGAIN AS SOMEONE ELSE HAS SAID NO POSITIVE TRIM SHOULD BE NECC. MAYBE A TORQUE TAB WILL HELP WITH STEERING AT THE HIGH ENGINE SETTING. RACK STYLE TWIN CABLE STEERING?
:D

With the 4 blade cleaver I posted above I'm running it jacked all the way up and can jack it some more. When I pull the power head to put the new Fast Fred mod motor on I'm gonna lift the motor another 2 holes. The boat really likes the 4 blade cleaver. Once I get it all dialed in I'm gonna see about a 5 blade cleaver for it.

We've been running the boat the last few days, haven't had any problems with any hooking but when I rebuilt the boat it's tight and doesn't have any twist. When it was stock if you lifted the right sponson you would have to move it almost 4" before the left sponson would lift. Now they both move together. We were running it in 2's today with occasional 3's and never went below 45mph. She flys nice and level, although slightly difficult to get on plane I'm really happy with the balance of the boat when she's running. The trim is neutral or slightly negative any positive trim and she'll shoot for the moon when you hit those 3's.

The 3 blade chopper that was on the boat in the pic didn't work, just burned a 6500rpm hole in the water never getting the boat on plane. I got FF 3 blade OMC 23" 3-blade cleaver and it was a bear to get on plane and just had too much slip (Fred I'll get it back to you this week). The 4 blade seems to be the ticket but I'm still slipping almost 15%.

We've been wrestling with some fuel gremlins although haven't burned a hole in the top pistion (yet). Got the electric pump in tonight and will hopefully shoot some running pics tomorrow.

Can't move the gas tank, permenately install just behind the seats. Its 12 gallons and pretty much sits on the cg. The battery is up in the bow, that way when I burn off fuel it doesn't change the cg much. Putting the motor on the jack plate really screwed the CG but its a must since we run in the rough stuff and I'll need to drop the motor a little in those conditions.

[Fast Fred]

:cool: :cool:

[mr_velocity]

:cool: :cool:

Would be if I can figure out this fuel problem, again today. She'll run great until I get into some slop then she starts acting up. :confused:

Gotta go get a new battery then turn up the pressure another 1/2lb and go run it again.

[Fast Fred]

:) :confused: :eek: :cool: thinkin the psi is the way to ware ya wantabe, ya need that thare prop so's i mite make the river run, thats the shortest one i got,
that alu wheel showup?:cool:

[mr_velocity]

Here ya go Fred, at 3 psi the color is good although still a little light for my taste. Gonna bump the fuel a little more. Also took some timing out of it, was very close to 20 :eek:

I found that if I dropped the motor from the sky high position the back of the boat started to become unstable, kinda felt like I was driving on ice. With the motor all the way up spinning the huge 4 blade the boat felt really solid, crossing wakes in any direction the boat ran like it was on rails. Trim was just about neutral. She's heavy, gonna need some FF reinforcements :cool: :cool:


http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7099/cat1fi7.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6808/cat2go8.jpg

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/453/cat3mf6.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/6577/cat4sx7.jpg

[Fast Fred]

She's heavy
thinkin thats why she's lookin for mo gas in the mix,i'll set this one up with that knowige, lookin good:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[mr_velocity]

thinkin thats why she's lookin for mo gas in the mix,i'll set this one up with that knowige, lookin good:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Haven't seen that alum prop yet, your 3 blade cleaver is all boxed up and ready to go.

2 & 3 look great, 1 just looking a little on the light side, its tan but not like the others. Gonna bump up the pressure a little more.

Ya want to come into Boston on Wed? I'm thinking I'll be there (coming in by train) and can hand deliver your prop. I'll even buy ya some dinner was thinking Maggianos.

[Fast Fred]

Ya want to come into Boston on Wed?
i so would like too, but workin on Dean'Os boat,and it be in a short week,
want to see about Reinforcements for yas. Hows She move, say 20-25mph
and Nail it, hows the pull? maybe can make it in to the Hub:cool: waitin on some piston from Cal. gots one mo to get back to together for someone who has been waitin. guna send some main jets for them carbs, so yous will be boatin eather way, maybe hand them off to ya, see how it goes.
:cool:

[mr_velocity]

i so would like too, but workin on Dean'Os boat,and it be in a short week,
want to see about Reinforcements for yas. Hows She move, say 20-25mph
and Nail it, hows the pull? maybe can make it in to the Hub:cool: waitin on some piston from Cal. gots one mo to get back to together for someone who has been waitin. guna send some main jets for them carbs, so yous will be boatin eather way, maybe hand them off to ya, see how it goes.
:cool:

We're boating so we're happy, if the reinforcements take some time we're ok. She has great throttle response, from 25 up she'll put you back hard in the seat. Figure need to open the jet on the top carb a little although I'm gonna push the pressure up a little, also want to replace that plastic tee (5/16 down) since its kinda small passages. Also replaced the lines to the carbs with omc black line hoping it'll flow a little more.

The motor is LOUD, didn't get any complaints but some neighbors made some comments like "was that you I heard running around out there while we were eating dinner?", my ears were ringing when we were done running.

I'll drop your prop to UPS tomorrow. Also need to box up the lu and get that up to you.

What do ya think, did we get her close the mama? :D
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/3332/600tellium41pm8.jpg

[Fast Fred]

thanks guys, sendin some jets, two 56's ( bottom carb is runnin a 56) and 3, 57's, tryin to get some fatter low speeds, thares a 27 in thare (all 3) on the low speed:cool:
ya them boats is related:eek: :cool:

[mr_velocity]

thanks guys, sendin some jets, two 56's ( bottom carb is runnin a 56) and 3, 57's, tryin to get some fatter low speeds, thares a 27 in thare (all 3) on the low speed:cool:
ya them boats is related:eek: :cool:

Top carb has a 64 in the high speed (haven't checked the others), have some 30s here for the low speed going to change them from 27 and fatten it up a little.

[Fast Fred]

was thinkin of some other carbs,them call for a 61, so she is fatter ,?, check the fuel flow and psi just before the line hooks up to the center carb, thinkin thares some crap in the nozzel,?, be bring the reinforcements on line shortly,today or in the morrin,them is two jet carbs on the one you gots now, low speed in the top.

[mr_velocity]

was thinkin of some other carbs,them call for a 61, so she is fatter ,?, check the fuel flow and psi just before the line hooks up to the center carb, thinkin thares some crap in the nozzel,?, be bring the reinforcements on line shortly,today or in the morrin,them is two jet carbs on the one you gots now, low speed in the top.

Got some changes going in. I just changed that whimpy little tee that was in there, thinking its starving the top carb. Gonna check the timing and give her a run again in the morning.

The fuel manifold goes in next week along with the slosh tank, needed to have some mods done on it to make sure it don't leak and I don't have all the parts for the manifold. Also upgrading to hyd steering so I don't crash :eek:

[Pit]

Any of you guys interested in selling your funcats?

[evilntwisted]

Never!!!!!!! To Much Fun.

[mr_velocity]

Never!!!!!!! To Much Fun.

Yes they are, they are FUNcats :D By far the favorite of my boats.

[rossi]

Run the propshaft even with the bottom of the sponsons. I actually fabricated a pad/wedge onto the last 12" of mine which can be seen in the pic. I had center steer which helped massivly. I also had Powertech set me up with a 4 blade SS prop. Between the wedge I added and the prop, holeshot was blistering and top speed ran well into the upper 60's with an 85hp, relived exhaust and a Bobs lower.

These boats are set up properly they do actually handle well in a strait line but a boater I know from Upstate NY who is a professional tested the Funcat in Portugal and barrel rolled a pair of them in the same day making turns. After one day he walked away and never went near one again. The Funcat was only made in 1985 only.

The engine had a 75hp cowl but was actually an 85hp.

[big head]

Is that single steering? If it is, thats the first thing to go! It needs dual that is adjusted propably. then the slack in motor mounts and bushings, then when your ready for prop, give me a call. 225-698-6942

[mr_velocity]

Run the propshaft even with the bottom of the sponsons. I actually fabricated a pad/wedge onto the last 12" of mine which can be seen in the pic. I had center steer which helped massivly. I also had Powertech set me up with a 4 blade SS prop. Between the wedge I added and the prop, holeshot was blistering and top speed ran well into the upper 60's with an 85hp, relived exhaust and a Bobs lower.

These boats are set up properly they do actually handle well in a strait line but a boater I know from Upstate NY who is a professional tested the Funcat in Portugal and barrel rolled a pair of them in the same day making turns. After one day he walked away and never went near one again. The Funcat was only made in 1985 only.

The engine had a 75hp cowl but was actually an 85hp.

With a 4 blade cleaver (looks much like a drag prop) I run about 1" below this shot. I have found running this high the boat loses the tendency to roll onto the left sponson. As you drop the motor you can feel the boat just roll. Have no problem in the turns either although I do tend to start dropping the motor once the boat "sets" for the turn.
I also added a wedge which helps the boat plane, along with the prop work that Rich as leading edge did on it. Added the hyd steering towards the end of the season, son said just too much feeback on the helm.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/128/ffmotortp4.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ffmotortp4.jpg)

[rossi]

This was the prop I used on my Funcat. Still have it.

[WATERWINGS]

Is that from Performance Propeller?

[fast fun 2]

Whole different animal but in the Mini Hawk with 6inch Setback and trim I had to tilt the motor a bit to the starboard and run a torque tab to keep her level.BBlades prop too

[rossi]

Is that from Performance Propeller?

No wings, it's from Powertech and I used it on an 85hp Suzuki. The prop will also fit a V4 OMC. It's truly a work of art.

[mr_velocity]

This was the prop I used on my Funcat. Still have it.

What's the dia and pitch of the prop. I'm running this Ron Hill prop that has been worked by Leading Edge, its a 13 x 19 that we spin to 6800 rpm. I'm impressed with the overall performance, pops the boat on plane then jack motor so the propshaft is 4" above the bottom of the sponsons. Haven't had any blowout problems even when things get snotty, for us that just about all the time :D

[rossi]

What's the dia and pitch of the prop. I'm running this Ron Hill prop that has been worked by Leading Edge, its a 13 x 19 that we spin to 6800 rpm. I'm impressed with the overall performance, pops the boat on plane then jack motor so the propshaft is 4" above the bottom of the sponsons. Haven't had any blowout problems even when things get snotty, for us that just about all the time :D

It's a 13-1/2 x 17. Much like your prop it never let loose. I can't remember what rpm I ran though.

[fountain1fan]

why so munch hp on that little boat ? .

[Maple Leaf]

Whole different animal but in the Mini Hawk with 6inch Setback and trim I had to tilt the motor a bit to the starboard and run a torque tab to keep her level.BBlades prop too

Whats speeds do u see with that little boat????:)

[mr_velocity]

why so munch hp on that little boat ? .

Scream-and-Fly :D

Got pics today of my new FastFred Modmotor, counting the minutes until spring so I can run it :cool:

[fast fun 2]

Whats speeds do u see with that little boat????:)
40.1 GPS:cool:

[Maple Leaf]

40.1 GPS:cool:

Thats pretty impressive!!:eek: My buddy has the extact same boat(RED) With a 25 Merc But with no power trim. He can only get with that boat 30 MPH with his Boat!!

[fast fun 2]

Thats pretty impressive!!:eek: My buddy has the extact same boat(RED) With a 25 Merc But with no power trim. He can only get with that boat 30 MPH with his Boat!!
My boat has had some small bottom mods.Totally blue-printed,razor shard edges and no more hook plus a special BBlades prop from his Mini Hawk race-boat days.I have very low prop slip.I used to get about 35 before Brett at BBlades helped me out.:cool:

[skaterx]

Just found pics of the boat I had.

[Fast Fred]

:cool:

[bigboy]

SICK:eek: :D

[aqua76]

you could not get me in that!!! :eek: ok....maybe if i was the one driving! :D

[Chuck Mostaka]

Wow that looks wild. I like to drive that one. I have wild looking boat to. Its 19 foot Funcat with two built 260,s on it. When it running right it shoud be putting out over 600 hp.
Chuck

[Fast Fred]

i'm not seein it:eek: , put the hoods on it, and snap a shot.:cool:

[Chuck Mostaka]

Under Rumble on the river 2007, There is a picture of it in the water just before we started on the poker run.
Chuck

[yachter55]

the tork tab made the boat ride ten times better.adding bigger fuel tanks up front made the boat run like its on rails.off course its got an 80 merc .but this thread is about a cat. im building a 16 cat as we speek so im interested in set up for stability.

[mr_velocity]

the tork tab made the boat ride ten times better.adding bigger fuel tanks up front made the boat run like its on rails.off course its got an 80 merc .but this thread is about a cat. im building a 16 cat as we speek so im interested in set up for stability.

Get the CG right then put the fuel tank on the CG, otherwise the ride will change as you burn down the fuel. I stuffed the battery up front and put the fuel tank on the CG. Just got another 4 blade cleaver, going to send it down to Rich at Leading Edge to work his magic then hope for an early spring so we can run it.

[mr_velocity]

Now that spring is here I thought I would bring this thread back to the top with the spring project. In addition to the new FF stinger powerhead that is going on I just made a mold for a tunnel extension. Since the motor is on a jack plate I'm going to extend the tunnel another 12". Also my first shot at doing anything vacuum bagged. This means pulling the fuel tank out so I can bolt this puppy to the transom.

[HPShadow]

Good luck let me no if that helps.:thumbsup:

[Pit]

Still would like to own one if anyone was interested in selling.

[Pit]

Just found pics of the boat I had.

I like that one...

[michaela]

Looks as if the engine brackets have been changed to accept push/pull cable steering. Obviously the center swivel bracket must have been drilled out to accept steering tube, anything else done to make this work?
What are the engine brackets off of?
Thanks