The significance of the Jack Plate
Navigating with the stars – (part 2)
The significance of the Jack Plate
Navigating with the stars – (part 2)
Engine mounting height
One of the most important factors affecting very much the performance of our boat is the engine's mounting height on its transom. By the term "engine mounting height" we mean the distance of engine's Antiventilation plate from the keel and therefore how deeply submerged in the water the lower unit is. In this way we basically determine the depth to which our propeller runs.
But what is the proper engine mounting height for our boat?
The answer of course is not so simple. Let's take firstly some notes which will help us in our final choice:
- The higher the engine is mounted the greater the speed increases due to less exposure of its lower unit in the water. On the other hand, the thrust of the propeller is reduced.
- The lower the engine is mounted the greater the propeller thrust is, while our top speed decreases.
It is obvious that we can not have both higher top speed and maximum thrust at the same time. So there is no "ideal" mounting height. We must first decide the use our rib is intended for and afterwards to end up whether we mostly need the final speed or the thrust.
This content is for Basic and Premium members only.
Read more Topics
October 27, 2023Why HYDROTAB’s Interceptors lead the competition!
Innovation is a key element of development and a determining factor for the success of any product. When it is characterized by the simplest operation combined with the best quality of construction...
Read more
October 18, 2022Twin 600hp Verados Versus Triple 400R Verados
At the 61st Genoa Boat Show we had the opportunity to test the new beastly 7.6-liter, V12 and 600-horsepower Verado outboards mounted on the MAR.CO R-Evolution 36, a...
Read more
October 18, 2022Testing Hydrotab’s new composite 300SR trim tabs in combination with the new Moby automatic controller
As we have already mentioned in our related articles, the use of trim tabs is of great importance on each Rib...
Read more
October 17, 2022Storage of the spare propeller
It is a fact that a spare propeller is one of the most important elements of the basic equipment of every boat and is really important for our safety, especially if we are used to making long...
Read more
October 17, 2022Storing our stern anchor inside the boat
There is no doubt that a stern anchor is one of the basic supplies that we shall always have on board and therefore one of the elements of the necessary equipment that every boat...
Read more
October 17, 2022Solar panels on board
It is true that lately the inflatable boats have grown up to 50 feet in length. As a result, their equipment, such as refrigerators, freezers, heaters, microwaves, etc., have also
Read more
October 17, 2022Single vs Twin engine Ribs – Pros and Cons
One or two outboard engines? That’s an essential dilemma that concerns many sea-friends who have decided to buy a larger rigid inflatable boat. And the answer is...
Read more
October 17, 2022How to buy a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
Do you want to buy a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) but you do not know how to go about it? Worry no more. This article will guide you on what to consider in making the best possible...
Read more
October 17, 2022How to Set-up our Rib properly
It would not be an exaggeration if we said that it is wonderful and sometimes even fascinating to have the required basic knowledge so as to be able to setup a boat...
Read more
October 17, 2022Unbelievable hulls that «flatten» heavy seas!!!
It is true that we often hear about «great» captains who «flatten» the waves with their unbelievable Ribs, even waves created by winds of 7 or 8 bf. Of course, they never talk...
Read more
October 17, 2022Useful tips for restoring a Rib
Every year we have always the same problem: “how can I clean my Rib without damaging its tubes’ surface?” Here it is a complete tutorial for the restoration of your inflatable boat...
Read more
October 17, 2022Few useful tips for towing a boat Trailer
Each time we are going to tow our Rib, it is necessary to check thoroughly the trailer to ensure not only our own safety but our beloved inflatable boat as well...
Read more
October 17, 2022Winterizing your Rib and Outboard Engines – Part II
Having completed the maintenance of your engines, which must remain in a vertical position in order to drain well from the water, we proceed to the maintenance of the Rib...
Read more
October 13, 2022Winterizing your Rib and Outboard Engines – Part I
Please, do not abandon your passion! The water, and especially the saltwater, corrodes everything while the immobility accelerates the wear...
Read more
October 13, 2022How to prepare a Raid
The word «raid» has the power to bring to mind mysterious islands and unlimited rides to every devotee of ribs deserving this title...
Read more
October 13, 2022Can we control the prop’s stern lift with the Jackplate’s help?
Many of us, at the chase of the ideal propeller, have tried quite many of them looking for the ideal one for our rib-engine combination...
Read more
October 13, 2022Benefits of Hydraulic Jack Plate
As it has already been mentioned, there is no the ideal engine height suitable for any combination of hull, prop and load but each...
Read more
October 13, 2022Annual Maintenance and Regular Inspections of the hydraulic steering system
Every year about this time, boaters across the country start to get the itch. The days get a little longer, and a little warmer, and it just..
Read more
October 13, 2022How to Maintain Your Boat’s Steering Cables
I’ve heard steering cables should be «maintained». How exactly is this done?
Read more
October 13, 2022Spring Boat Maintenance Tips
As spring slowly approaches, it’s time to start planning for boating season. In order to make sure your boat is safe and running efficiently...
Read more
October 13, 2022Check and take care of your RIB and engine every time you get out of the sea
Taking into consideration the ancient Greek saying «Prevention is better than Cure», it would be appropriate to check our RIB and our engine every time we get out of the sea. It...
Read more
October 13, 2022Moving the engine just one hole up or down can have a huge affect on boat’s performance
As we have seen in the previous article entitled «Engine’s mounting heigh», one of the most important factors affecting a lot the boat’s performance is the engine’s mounting...
Read more
October 13, 2022Suzuki’s Lean Burn Control System: Go further, faster, for less
Nowadays, as the increase of the cost of fuel has become one of the major factors for the choice about the proper outboard, Suzuki has
Read more
October 13, 2022Trim Tabs should be mounted in the proper negative angle
As we have seen in a previous article, the trailing edge of the trim tabs should be slightly higher than their front edge when they are fully retracted. This slight upward...
Read more
October 12, 2022Useful tips for improving our fuel mileage
The lower the fuel consumption is the happier the captain gets. Saving fuel is an issue that «burns» all of us...
Read more
October 12, 2022The Maritime knots and their use II. The Cleat hitch and the Highwayman’s hitch
The Maritime knots and their use II. The Cleat hitch and the Highwayman’s hitch...
Read more
October 12, 2022The Maritime knots and their use. The Bowline and the Clove Hitch
Before we go out to the sea with our boat, it is necessary to know some basic knots that will mainly help us to tie with safety...
Read more
October 12, 2022Full throttle with a Neapolitan Legend in Offshore powerboat racing!
A few days ago we had the joy to meet Gianni Di Meglio, one of the most famous offshore powerboat racers in Italy and…not only. Any...
Read more
October 12, 2022Soffio 31… the flying Rib!
This project was born some time ago in the one of the most beautiful places of our beloved Italy, standing in the wonderful...
Read more
October 12, 2022Installing an extra fuel supply system
Any obstacle to the constant flow of fuel from the tank to the engine is sure to immobilize us. It is indeed...
Read more
October 12, 2022The right choice of trim tabs and their proper placement
As we have seen in previous articles, the application of trim tabs is particularly useful to any boat. They improve hole shot, boat’s...
Read more
October 12, 202210 useful Tips for safe Trips
Perhaps there is nothing more exciting than the time we take our place behind the cockpit, our hand pushing the throttle and the bow...
Read more
October 12, 2022Preserving a bright and shiny hull
It is known that the outer surface of a hull is covered by a special resin called gelcoat, which mainly protects it. Thus, this gelcoat...
Read more
October 12, 2022The «Deadrise» of the hull and its importance
By the term of deadrise we mean the angle which is formed between the horizontal plane and the side of the hull, at its any point...
Read more
October 12, 2022High Gear Ratio vs Low Gear Ratio
It is a fact that every manufacturer of outboard engines installs different gear ratios while we see that as the horsepower decreases the gear ratio gets higher...
Read more
October 12, 2022The relationship of the Torque, Thrust and Gear Ratio
The torque that is produced by the engine is converted to thrust by the combined effect of the gear ratio with our propeller. Physics...
Read more
