Hello All,

 

I am a newbie to this site and recently purchased my first boat.......a 2009 Bass Tracker 175 TXW with a Mercury 9.9 4 stroke used on CL for 5k!  I know I know...it's a big boat for a 9.9!  Most lakes around my area that I fish are 9.9 lakes and a stable comfortable fish platform was a priority for me.  I have plenty of other friends with a jon boat with a 9.9 or the 170's and below with a 9.9.  Either way, the boat is in great condition and I have taken it out 4 times so far. 

 

Apparently, the charger does not appear to be working    It does not light up when plugged in.  I replaced both batteries and have not been able to charge them after use.  I was told it should show red that it's charging and green when the batteries are fully charged.  What do I need to trouble shoot prior  to purchasing a new charger? 

 

Also, on another note.  I was told the boat would go approximately 8-12 mph.  So far according to my buddies iphone the fastest we have gotten the boat with 2 people and light gear is 6mph. Any recommendations to get an extra mph here or there? 

 

Thanks! 

 

 

Fuses on the charger?

The charger has a fuse on the terminal and that fuse is good.  I can't tear the box/charger apart to see if a fuse is located on the inside.  Also, the Guest 8 AMP chargers are hard to find online as I didn't want to have to pre drill holes for a different sized charger, if replacement is necessary. 

The biggest thing you need to do is remove unwanted weight and move weight toward the center.   Does it take long to get the boat on plane? 

 

A bunch of other things to consider..

 

1. Trim angle

2. Cavitation plate height with bottom of hull

3. RPM at WOT

4. Prop selection

 

I have a similar setup that I just picked up.  15' boat with a 9.9hp outboard and does 13mph solo but the cavitation plate is too low and will be adding in a jackplate this weekend which would help a bit.  

Eddie,

 

I have messed with them trim and that does seem to help.  My boat is too big and heavy to technically get up on plane.  The faster you go the nose of the bow gets higher.   It actually has a better chance on getting on planing out by going slower. The prop was already upgraded to a SS prior to me purchasing the boat.  I have yet to mess with the cavitation plate but I will check into that. 

Try to get the weight forward when trying to get on plane so the bow does not lift. Have your buddy move up to the bow. If it does get on plane, then have him move back. The more the bow lifts, the less chance of getting on plane because it's pushing a wall of water instead of getting on top of the water.

As for the charger, about all you can do is make sure it's getting 120VAC on the power cord going into it. Could just be a broken/loose wire in the plug, since that's what get's the most handling.

Check the pitch on the prop and make sure it's about the smallest pitch prop made for that motor, you will probably need the smallest for that much boat.

Don't be worried about getting that boat on plane with that motor.   It ain't happening.   That motor will make loading.unloading the boat off the trailer easier, compared to trying to do it with electric power alone.   However, on horse power limited lakes, you've got a great, stable fishing platform with plenty of room for gear.  Got no idea on the charger issue, if it were my boat, I'd just go buy some professional help, change out the charger, do whatever else you need to do.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.  I took out the charger and ordered a new one as it was caput, since then I have the batteries on a trickle charger until I can install the new charger.  That's exactly why I bought the boat "you've got a great, stable fishing platform with plenty of room for gear".  Fished it with 3 buddies the other day and we had plenty of space.  May name my boat "No Hurry".  The fish don't care how fast you get there