Closing in pocket tunnel

I have a custom pocket tunnel that was added by a previous owner on my 20' center console. I would like to close it in as I think it is hurting more than helping.

How should I go about closing this in? Here is a pic:



Also do you think I will need to lower my motor? It is full down in the picture on a 6" bob's jackplate.

 

You'll have to lower the motor. The easiest thing would be to fill the cavity with foam and glass over.

 

I recall that the cavitation plate should be level with the keel. Since I have a setback I would think it could be a bit higher.

Any thoughts are welcomed.


kls

 

Rather than filled the tunnel you might try a propeller better designed to operate in the conditions yours is in, that aluminum propeller won't hold water very well.
I would suggest a stainless steel propeller with thin blades and a lot of cup. You'll have to go to somebody more knowledgeable of the current propellers that are available but any good prop shop could help you.

 

The pic I posted is before I changed to a 4 blade trophy plus prop. The prop changed helped some but performance still is sketchy. Trim and jack plate have to be just right and it is very touchy. Then I added a Mantaray Cavitation plate that is designed just for tunnel hulls. This is not your average wing. It is huge and designed to keep water around the prop. Performance improved some but overheating became a problem mainly due to having change how I ran the motor. I don't have a pressure gauge so it was trial and error.

Third option is to lengthen the trim ring on the transom by about 5" or as big as I can get away with. Not sure if I want to go this route as I think the tunnel is of poor design. Filling it in an being done with it seems easier.

From my calculations I should have to lower the motor almost 8 inches. Seems like a bunch this amoutn would but my cav plate about 1.5" above the keel which is appropriate for the flatback design and 6" setback.

I welcome further ideas on filling in the tunnel or modifications.


Kevin

 

I think you need to change your motor for a longshaft -looks like a shortshaft in the pic but difficult to tell.
J

 

It is a 20" shaft. DF140TLK3

Kevin


The second last digit in the model
designation refers to the boat transom
height that the engine is designed to be
installed on. Inspect the outboard to
determine this code. The applicable
transom height for some small motors is
not indicated in the model designation as
it is assumed to be short.
S = 15”, L = 20”, X = 25”, XX = 30”
Note: “G” or “Z” letters after the transom height
designation indicates counter rotation.
DF50TLX DF50TLX
DF50TLX