BOAT DOCTOR ///BOAT DOC SPECIALstrong results. Gains of
3 to 5 mph would cost
thousands in propeller
and engine modifi ca-
tions but cost merely
hundreds in time and
materials. The goal is
to achieve a straight,
sharp and crisp bottom
from the transom to
at least 6 feet forward.
The transom, chine and
strake edges should be
fi lled and sanded until
they are sharp so water
does not cling to the
corners. A straightedge
pressed against the hull
will reveal humps and
hollows to be fi lled or
taken down.
ENGINE SETBACK/
JACK PLATE
Outboarders can bene-
fi t from the addition of
an engine setback/jack
plate, either manually
or electro-hydrauli-
cally adjustable. With
remote electro-hydrau-
lic adjustment, minute
changes can be made
on the fl y to compen-and load conditions.
A jack plate should
be considered a
must-have for most
outboard perform-
ance bu s.WEIGHT
DISTRIBUTION
Most boaters carry too
much stu. Rid your
craft of extra weight
that robs speed. Years
ago, we conducted tests
on a fast bass boat. An
old friend with the
same boat as our tester
approached me after-
ward and called our
speed results baloney.
After unloading well
over 250 pounds of
gear on the dock, he
achieved speeds within
1 mph of ours. Les-
son learned: Reduce
weight, and for the
gear you must carry,
place it strategically
to maximize bow lift
and speed.HIGH-PERFORM-
ANCE STEERING
SYSTEMS AND
ENGINE CONTROLS
Another old racer’s
adage: You can’t win therace if you can’t drive
the boat. Boat control
is key to a safe and
fast ride. Be sure your
steering system is up to
the task and adjustedregularly to remove all
potential slack. Make
sure your engine is
mounted securely to
the hull, with solid
mounts if necessary. For
the best driving control,
strongly consider a
foot-control throttle
and remote-mounted
power trim, jack plate
and trim-tab controls
(on the steering wheel,
steering column or
fl oor). Last, install
and wear an engine
emergency-cuto
switch.GEAR-CASE
MODIFICATIONSPHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURTESY NOR-TECH HI PERFORMANCE BOATS, COURTESY SEASTAR SOLUTIONS, COURTESY MERCURY MARINE