Understanding Porpoising In Bass Tracker Boats

If your Pro 170 Bass Tracker boat is jumping up and down like a porpoise, it could be due to several factors. One of the main reasons for this issue is incorrect weight distribution, where the boat becomes too heavy in the stern, causing the bow to lift and the boat to porpoise. Adjusting the weight balance by adding temporary weight to the bow can help determine if this is the cause. Another common cause is the engine being set too deep, resulting in unnecessary drag and poor thrust angle, which can be checked by observing the anti-ventilation plate at cruise speed. If it's not visible, the engine needs to be lifted. Additionally, trimming the motor too high or having the wrong trim angle can also lead to porpoising. To resolve this, the trim angle can be lowered, and the weight distribution adjusted to ensure a smoother ride.

Weight distribution

To test if weight distribution is the cause of porpoising, add some temporary weight to the bow and take the boat for a test run. If the boat continues to porpoise, the engine height is likely the problem.

The engine being set too deep is one of the most common causes of porpoising. If the engine is too deep, there will be unnecessary drag on the leg, and the angle of thrust to the hull will be poor. To determine if the engine height is causing porpoising, get the boat up to a fast cruise speed and observe the anti-ventilation plate (the wide one directly above the prop). If you can't see the plate at all, the engine is too deep and needs to be lifted.

Porpoising can also be caused by angling the motor too far away from the transom (trimming too high). Trimming up means the bow is lifted, as the angle of the propeller faces more downward into the water, creating a force that pushes the stern down and tilts the bow up. Trimming the motor out can increase speed and improve fuel mileage, but if you go too far, the bow will start to porpoise.

To fix porpoising caused by incorrect weight distribution, you can add weight to the bow by putting sandbags or gravel bags in the front of the boat. This shifts the center of gravity forward. This is especially helpful for smaller boats, as they are more affected by the weight of passengers and gear.

If weight distribution is not the issue, you can try adjusting the motor height or trimming the motor down.

Motor height

To determine whether the motor height is causing your boat to porpoise, get the boat up to a fast cruise speed and observe the anti-ventilation plate (the wide one directly above the prop). If you can't see the plate at all, the engine is set too deep and needs to be lifted. The plate should be skimming the surface of the water.

If the engine is too high, the bow will start to porpoise. This can be corrected by trimming down the motor, which will raise the stern and push the bow of the boat down.

Trim angle

The trim angle of a boat is the angle at which the bow of the boat meets the water. The trim angle has a direct impact on the efficiency of the boat's operation. The trim angle can be adjusted by tilting the engine, which in turn changes the angle of the propeller shaft relative to the boat's transom. This adjustment can be made using a power trim system or by manually adjusting the angle of the motor by hand.

Positive trim occurs when the trim is tilted too far up, causing the stern to squat and the bow to rise. This can lead to too much air getting under the hull and can affect visibility and hull pounding. On the other hand, negative trim happens when the trim is tilted too far down, resulting in the bow dipping towards the water and potentially causing "nose dives".

To achieve the most efficient running angle and minimize drag, the boat should run parallel to its at-rest waterline. This can be achieved by adjusting the trim angle to compensate for changes in load and water conditions. Adjusting the trim angle can also improve stability, fuel efficiency, and safety.

The trim angle can also impact the boat's performance in different water conditions. For example, in choppy water, trimming down can help the hull slice through the water for a smoother ride, while trimming up slightly can help position the bow higher in oncoming waves. In shallow water, the engine should be trimmed up to ensure the propeller is still underwater, but caution should be exercised to avoid forcing the bow up and the propeller into the ground.

The Tracker Pro 170 is a popular boat that offers a balance of size and agility, making it a great choice for fishing. It is equipped with features such as a Mercury outboard motor, a Minn Kota trolling motor, and a Lowrance fishfinder. While I couldn't find specific information on the trim angle of the Pro 170, it is likely that it can be adjusted using the power trim system or manually, depending on the model and equipment.

Hull design

The hull design of a boat is a critical factor in its performance and handling. The hull is the main body of the boat that sits in the water, and its shape and design can significantly impact how the boat behaves in different conditions.

The Tracker Pro 170 is an all-welded aluminum boat with a rugged, one-piece aluminum hull. It has a deep-V hull design, which is known for providing good performance and handling in a variety of water conditions. A deep-V hull has a more pronounced, angled shape at the bow, which helps the boat cut through waves more effectively and provides a smoother ride in choppy water. This type of hull design also offers better stability at high speeds and improves the boat's ability to turn and maneuver.

However, even with a well-designed hull, porpoising can still occur under certain conditions. Porpoising is a common phenomenon in boats, where the bow of the boat rises and drops cyclically, resembling the movement of a porpoise. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including weight distribution, speed, and sea conditions. In the case of the Pro 170, porpoising may be due to an aft longitudinal center of gravity (LCG). This means that the dynamic lift and buoyancy forces are not stabilizing the boat effectively, leading to the cyclical rising and dropping of the bow.

To mitigate porpoising, adjustments can be made to the trim tabs or drive angle to stabilize the boat. Additionally, ensuring proper weight distribution and maintaining appropriate speeds for the given sea conditions can help reduce the likelihood of porpoising.

Overall, the hull design of the Pro 170 is well-suited for fishing and recreational activities, offering a balance of performance, stability, and maneuverability. However, as with any boat, understanding the factors that contribute to porpoising and other undesirable behaviors is important for a safe and enjoyable boating experience.

Speed

The PRO 170 is designed to provide ample fishing space, easy towing, and convenient storage. Its Mercury® outboard motor, ranging from 40 ELPT FourStroke to 9.9 ELPT FourStroke Command Thrust ProKicker, delivers varying speeds to cater to different needs.

The boat's speed capabilities are further enhanced by its Minn Kota® trolling motor, which helps anglers stay on the fish. While specific speed figures are not available, user experiences indicate that the boat's speed is influenced by factors such as load, water conditions, and engine configuration.

One user reported a speed of 32 mph with a 40 hp ELPT 4-stroke Mercury engine at 5600 RPM, while another user with a 2010 Mercury 1.5L Optimax engine achieved 57.4 mph solo with minimal fuel. Yet another user with a 2016 175 TXW and a 75 hp four-stroke engine recorded a top speed of 41.7 mph.

It's important to note that speed can be affected by various factors, including engine type, prop configuration, load, water conditions, and more. Proper prop selection and engine adjustments can help optimize speed and overall performance.

In conclusion, the Tracker PRO 170 offers a well-balanced performance, catering to both novice and experienced boaters. While speed varies based on several factors, the boat's Mercury outboard motor and Minn Kota trolling motor provide a solid foundation for a range of boating activities, especially fishing.

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