Conditions Affecting Operation; Weight Distribution; Bottom Of Boat - Mercury V-6 series User Manual

CA7

Weight Distribution

Positioning of weight (passengers and gear) inside the boat has the
following effects:
Shifting weight to rear (stern) will:
Generally increases speed and engine RPM.
At extremes can cause boat to porpoise.
Causes bow to bounce in choppy water.
Increases danger of following wave splashing into boat when
coming off plane.
Shifting weight to front (bow) will:
Improve ease of planing.
Improve rough water ride.
At extremes, can cause boat to veer back and forth (bow steer).
CA8

Bottom Of Boat

To maintain maximum speed, the following conditions of the boat
bottom should be observed.
A. Clean, free of barnacles and marine growth.
B. Free of distortion; nearly flat where it contacts the water.
C. Straight and smooth, fore and aft.
Marine vegetation may accumulate when boat is docked. This
growth must be removed before operation; it may clog water inlets
and cause engine to overheat.
16
Conditions Affecting
Operation