I just recently bought a 17' 1994 Nitro. The boat is in great shape and has a 115 hp mercury that checks out great and has good compression. I took it out for the first time today and had big problems. First problem is when I would drop the hammer the front would come up and never plane out. I am fairly new to bass boats but have been around other types of boat for a long time and know that the front is upposed to raise but Im talking strait towards the sky (felt like I was going to flip )I would play with the trim (It automatically leveled out and would not let me trim very far up when I was in gear) (dont know if that is normal). Also There was this loud beeping sound that would come from the console when I would give it gas (It has oil) the beeping would stop when I would trim up but like I said before It would let me trim up when I was going more than 5 mph. I did get up on plane one time (had my dad sit on the tip of the boat and it was abnormal also he boat was very lopsided The left side sat deep in the water and the right side way out (Not water logged). Also when I finally di get on plane it just keep beeping at me. I'm sorry I got a little windy but I just bought the boat and am VERY frustrated.

sounds like it has a bad powerpack. The low oil buzzer works on milivolts and when a powerpack fails they will interfere with the voltage making it beep all of the time. The powerpack will also cause the loss in power like you stated. I do also know of several of the 4 cylinder 115's that have had stator problems. The red stators are the better ones, if yours is black that could also bee your problem. Have the powerpack and stator checked, i would say youll find your problem there.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this stuff can you explain what more the stator and powerpack are. Is it a big deal to fix (very expensive). Thanks

the stator cost about 300$ and the powerpacks are around the same. You can change the powerpack yourself but the stator should be changed by someone who has the right puller for the flywheel. Either way it will be well worth the 60-70$$ a shop will charge to check it out and let you know what the problem is. Those 115 merc run on 2 cylinders unitl the rpms hit 1800 then the other 2 kick in. When that engine is running right it will get on plane as fast as anything out there. In my past experience mercs always seem to have electrical issues(usually stators and powerpacks). I had to replace both powerpacks and the stator all at the same time on my 200hp (your engine only has 1 powerpack) which was over 1000$$ so I know how you feel >

Woah!!  I hate to say this but you've got multiple issues going on with this boat.

First, how much pad hull boating experience have you had and did you take this boat out for a shakedown run before buying?

I see a few problems.  When you're taking off from a dead stop or idle speed are you making sure you trim the motor all the way IN or all the way to the down position.  If you're not, you're going to get that bow rise up like that.  Second, if you are trimming all the way in, are you sure the trim is actually going all the way in.  You may have some problems with the power trim not allowing it to completely drop to the full down position thus you'll have that bow high takeoff till you get that fixed.

The motor warning is a completely different issue that needs immediate attention.

As for how the boat is sitting.  When you say left I assume you're reffering to the Port or passenger side of the boat?  Check how you've got equipment laid out in the boat.  It's not unusual for too much weight to be on one side and cause this problem.  It's also not unusual for any boat to sit a little lower on one side although it's usually the starboard side.  

Definitely check for spark on all cylinders first.Sounds like a cylinder is not firing correctly,if at all.This could be a bad coil (if you have coils),a bad powerpack (or switch box) or bad stator as Gambler OH said.

The exact thing happened to my boat 2 weeks ago.I was lucky that it was just 1 bad coil.Bought a new one for $35,took 5 minutes to put on.....but I have an Evinrude,you may not have any coils.I'd definitely ask somebody about 'em.

As far as the beeping, I was told by a local dealer that (in general) a steady beep is a low oil warning (for those models with a separate oil tank) and an intermittant beep beep beep is for a water temp or water pressure issue. Is the water ticking out the back of the motor housing and is it warm or cool?

Wow where do I start. Are these things I can take the boat to a boat dealer and ask them to check or are these things I can do myself. I'm pretty mechanical in everything except engines. Are these things I can do and figure out as I go. I have a shop and a lot of tools but don't know hardly anything about motors. Maybe what I should do is go pay a visit to the guy that sold me the boat that SWORE that everything was 100% (never take anyones word for it >). Also thanks for takeing time to help me with my problems.

Maybe stupid, but, are you sure that there is no prop rod or tabs that are keeping the motor from trimming all the way down?  The first time I took my boat out, I had the same "worship the sky gods" with my bow.I didn't realize that a motor on a bass boat with a jack plate means that the back end of the motor is literally dragging in the water.  With my Dad's V-hull, all the way down means the motor is pretty much parallel with the water.  Full down on my boat is having the motor tipping away from the transom at about a 15 degree angle.  As for the beeping, I would spend the money and have a pro look at it,  It could be something simple you have overlooked, or,hopefully not, something as described above.  Good luck!!!

I do belive the motor is trim all the way down. It is tight agianst the boat. Also yes it is peeing I'm not sure if it is hot or cold. I did put muffs on it before I took it out to make sure everything would start up and work and the after a few minutes the water from the pee hole was slightly warm. I took it to a reputable shop to make sure everything on it was working corectly before I went out and they said everything checked fine but they must not check for some of the problems ou guys mentioned. Should I take it back and ask them to check out the things you all mentioned.  Also Maybe it because I'm not at all schooled on bass boats but just sitting in the water the rear of the boat is sitting VERY low in the water, maybe this is totally normal but I just thought I would ask. Thanks for bearing with me throught all my noobie questions.

I'm not trying to be snide but did you make sure you had the plug in the boat? The last time my bow was pointing toward the sky was because the whole back end of the boat was full of water.

I'm not trying to be snide but did you make sure you had the plug in the boat? The last time my bow was pointing toward the sky was because the whole back end of the boat was full of water.

That'll do it. LOL!  

Yeah the plug was in. I didn't really take that much water on. Even though both bilge pumps didn't work for some reason (they keep blowing fuses). I know its my fault for not taking it on the water, but the compression checked good and I was going off another fellow bass fishermans word for it. Did I also add that the trolling motor has a short in it so I works great when not in the water but when put under load of the water it shorts out, great HUH.

Trolling motor shorting out when in the water?  Bilge pumps blowing fuses?  On top of all the other problems?

Geebus!  You got taken!!  If the seller made claims that this boat was in good working order and ready to run on the water I think I'd go back to him first and see what he says. You might want to negotiate him giving some money back on this thing to help defray the repair costs that you must now shoulder. If that didn't work  I'd then talk to a lawyer about sueing in small claims court if possible. This boat is 12 years old and while it's not unusual for one that age to have that many problems you need to know that you've gotten yourself into a money pit right off the bat.  All these problems didn't just suddenly happen, the seller was well aware it had problems.  

if i were you since you dont have experinece with bass boats is i would have an experienced bass boat owner go out with you and run the boat.  its hard to believe you have that many problems.  some of it might just be operator error.  so get an experienced second opinion so you know what is really a problem

Blanked has a good point. I'd definately grab an experienced boater and have him help troubleshoot some of the problems that you're having. A good person to get would be the guy who sold you the boat. Either he knows how to work everything correctly or you can put him on the spot with all the stuff that is wrong with it. I don't know how long ago you bought it, but if it was me I'd be showing up in this guys driveway either looking for a refund or some compensation for the necessary repairs.

Pintail, where are you at? Maybe one of the guys on the board is close enough to check out the boat.

Pintail,

I too would suggest a check with an authorized repair shop.  Regaridn your questions about doing things yourself, you might want to check ebay for a service manaul for your boat.  Tehse are typically just sold to dealers and shops, but youc an find them.  At least it will have a pretty good description of the thigns that can go wrong and you can see if they are easy enough for you to do, or take to a shop.  Madhouse's suggestion about having the guy who sold you the boat go with you, is a good suggestion.

Thanks again for all your help. I'm in Lincoln NE. I'm going to call the repair shop tomorro and try and get it in. I'll keep you posted what the problems are. Thanks again

Just a couple things.

Pull the prop on the trolling motor and make sure you don't have anything wrapped around the prop shaft.  If that's not the case it sounds like the motor head is shot.  Time for a new trolling motor.

Same thing with the bilge pump. Make sure something has gotten jammed into the impeller impeding it's turning. If that's not the case then there's either a sort in the wiring to the pump motor or the motor itself is shot.

and I'm still very confused on the boat nose skying on take off.  I've only had that when I had too much water in the boat or the trim wasn't all the way down.

I did get it in to a boat repair shop today and the owner told me it sounded like I was lacking power somewhere (not sure where until the tear into it). He said that 2 cylinders fire until a certain rpm and then all 4 light up and it is very common for this style of motor to have a electrical problem somewhere preventing the other 2 cylinders from firing. He said a 17' nitro with a 115 hp motor should get up and scream with no problems. I'll let you all know more when I find out.

You can also rebuild your trolling motor.  I redid mine for about $135.  Called Minnkota and got a new core.  Took about 1 hour to redo it, works like a champ.

I got the boat back today. They said they fixed it but I havn't had a chance to take it out on the water yet. They said all it was, was a spark wire not firing correctly and so the boat was only operating on 2cyl. instead of 4. I only cost me around $90 so thats wasn't to bad (if that is what was wrong). Thanks agian for all your help and wish me luck.

Alright I finally got it on the water today. Everything seemed to work just fine. It did take alittle longer than I expected to get up on plane (8-10 sec) but I did have 3 200lb+ guys and a full tank of gas. Once up on plane everything seems to be in working order. I never knew how much effect trim and tilt had on the performance of the boat ( I know that seems very noobish). I still think I'm going to try and find someone that will go out with me just to help me better understand the way a bass boat works and how the trim and tilt effect the way it rides (I know you don't want to trim the motor all the way down or in when going full speed, very scary). Thanks agian for everyones help and good luck this year.

(I know you don't want to trim the motor all the way down or in when going full speed, very scary).

Someday I'll have to explain a breech turn to you.  Now that's SCARY!!  ;D