Triton 2012 21HP Mercury 250 ProXS. No poles or Hyd Jack Plate. Great boat and have had this boat since 2013. I recently changed over all batteries to lithiums. Ever since the change I lost top end speed and also front-end lift. I changed trolling motor, from Ultrex to Force, which is a little lighter but did not help. I know I'm not the only one this has happened to. I am reaching out for some help, advice, suggestions, A FIX Please. Thanks.
Lower your motor a 1/4” at a time. It will get most of it back.
When I swapped to lithium I had the same problem. I finally solved it by swapping to a tempest prop and lowering my jackplate. Now I got my speed and bow lifat back...
2005 Triton TR-186
2024 Mercury Pro XS 150
Thanks gonna start working on it.
Add some weight back to the Battery compartment. This should help get the rear down again. I added 50 lb weight bag and helped.
Put weight back in the rear.
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
Same issue for me late last year. Working to get some weight in the back end to see how she runs this year.
I don't have a jack plate to move motor very easy
98 Triton TR21, 200 Johnson Venom
2024 F150 Lariat
You should definitely have a jack plate on that boat.Originally Posted by GSXRFANIM
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
Redistribute weight, add ballast, lower motor or change prop style.
Lightning 6
2007 TR-196DC
lowering the motor works for most.
Bryan McDonough
2023 Nitro Z21 XL
Nitro Team
Reading through this (as well as similar ones) I wonder if anyone is seeing a drop in water pressure when the find the handling/speed issues? In theory with the rear end of the boat higher in the water, you would think a drop in water pressure would also be seen. Kind of curious if this happens.
97 TR21 99 225EFI S/N OG885575
Not with the torque master 2 lower, you can't hardly run them high enough to loose water pressure. I can raise mine all the way up with the hydraulic jack plate and it still has plenty of water pressure.
2015 Triton 19TRX, 225 Optimax
2006 Skeeter ZX190, 150 Yamaha SHO
1989 Ranger 373V, Mercury 2.5L 200hp
16' Tracker jon 25 hp Merc 2 cycle
drop engine 1" and retry it
2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
pulled by a 2500HD Denali will all the BANKS upgrades
MAGA 45-47
ASE/GM Master tech before tools
I have been running ALL lithium batteries for over 10 years and I run a 2006 Tr-200 and I am on my third engine, as I LOVE the boat, and it is all custom, even the trailer. I had the same problem. I assure you that "just lowering the engine" WILL NOT solve your problem. You have to understand what is going on from bow to stern as you boat "slides" through the water. You can lower the engine all you want, but you will still have "lack of lift" and you will have disturbed water from the bow making its way to the engine and causing a lack of "bite". The best way to do this is to first watch on Ken Smith's (Zavalla, TX) YouTube channel a series of videos he did with Rick Piece of Bass Cat Boats, where Mr. Pierce talks specifically about all the weight that is going on the front of bass boats (graphs, trolling motors, etc.) and he also discusses what all lithium batteries do to the rear, and balance of a bass boat. He explains the "balance" of a bass boat very clearly. Then you need to realize how much weight you took out of your boat switching from lead/acid batteries to lithium batteries. I removed about 170 pounds out the back of my boat and also added a heavier trolling motor to the bow. Given that my boat is a "performance" hull (Tr-20X Series hull), this thing is build for speed and it is light. When you screw-up the balance on a boat like this it feels awful to drive. If you don't care about performance and bite in rough water, then leave it alone. But, if you want the performance feel of your boat back, do what I did and contact "Pure Lead Products" as they have a department that makes lead ballasts and plates specifically for the marine industry. I actually have about 60-80 pounds of 1/2-inch lead plate held-down by my battery treys (screwed in to the floor) in the back of the boat and my boat is back to the beast it was before the switch to lithium batteries.
https://pureleadproducts.com/marine-ballast/
Let me know if this does not make sense.
Paul Ham
Thanks Paul. I agree with you as I have been playing with the weight in the rear. My boat was also a performer when I had all lead acid batteries. However I don't want to do to much, because I am considering putting poles on, If I can find some a right price, then I will get back to adding again if needed.
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