General Questions/ Help, SX190

[TommyT001]

Hello, I have a few questions that I hope you can answer.

I was told by my dealer to not use gas with 10% ethonal, but all the service stations in my area have gas with 10% ethonal. Is this going to be a problem later?

Should I use staybil (?) product in the gas along with ringfee?

Is there anyway to lock the trolling motor pins back, so they do not have to be disengaged each time I go to set it out. Its the silver metal pins that lock the trolling motor down. When I first purchased the boat, they were locked back and now they have to be pulled back each time.

When I set my trolling motor out, it hits the edge of the boat on the decent. Is there something I can glue or put down on the boat where the trolling motor hits the boat at? I tried different positions and the trolling motor rolls into the boat when going out.


Thanks
Thomas

[Ranger391v]

If you don't mind me asking ...... who's your dealer?

Martin's Marine in Prosperity near Lake Murray is the closest Skeeter dealer that I know of in the Lexington area and I'm sure he would have not told you that. With most gas stations now selling nothing but 10%, it's almost impossible not to run 10%.

Pretty much everybody has gotten acustom to adding the blue Marine grade Stabil, RingFree, and a 10micron Fuel/Water Seperator.

Good Luck.

[Fishin' Steeler]

Sounds like your TM is mounted incorrectly. What make/model of TM is on the boat? I have a Minn Kota Maxxum 70 on my SX190 and it dismounts just right.

Those locking pins are there to keep your TM from bouncing around in rough water, along with the velcro strap.

Ring Free and blue Sta-Bil are pretty much standard operating procedures nowadays.

[Neilslure]

Are you putting your foot on the TM pedal when you deploy and raise the motor to keep the lower unit from swinging around?

[TommyT001]

Thanks for the replys.

Yes, I have to put my foot on the foot control to keep the bottom half of the trolling motor from hitting the edge of the boat. After looking at it, the base may need to be moved up some so the end of the motor misses the edge. I figured it would easier to put down a small rubber mat just incase it rubbs the edge of the boat. Plus I don't want to add anymore holes to the boat.

I the locking pins on the trolling motor are very tight and takes some effort to delock them to depoly the trolling motor. I was hoping to be able to lock the pins back and just use the strap when running.

Yes my dealer, michael martin told me to not use gas with 10% ethonal due to it hurting the fuel hoses. I looked at all my gas stations and I can't find any without the 10% ethonal.

Any other suggestions for helping keep the motor (VMAX 150) in good working condition would be great. I didn't think about using staybill since i'm using the ringfree.

By the way, this is my first bass boat if you couldn't tell I'm coming from a 15 foot duck boat with a 25 merc. Did not have to worry about to much with that size boat and motor.

Thanks
Thomas

[fishin couillon]

Have the same. As for the gas that's what we have here and I haven't had any problems. I installed a f/w separtor and use stability marine and seafoam with all gas fillups. For the tmi have a mg and from time to time I get that pin hook up, it's just sticking. Also sounds like your tm mount needs to scoot up some to keep it from hitting the boat. It shouldn't be hittig the boat.

[Ranger391v]

Thomas,
Is your TM a Minn Kota or a MotorGuide???? Did you just recently buy the boat from Mike?? White and black boat?????

Knowing Mike, I'm sure he ment it as 'don't buy gas w/10% unless you have to'.

As for the TM sticking, try pushing down on the head of the unit with one hand and pull the cord with the other if it's a Minn Kota ...... often times that takes the pressure off the shaft that is putting pressure on the pins ..... thus allowing them to unlock easier. My Minn Kota Edge on my duck boat is like this due to it being new ..... the Minn Kota Maxxum on my Skeeter is broke in enough that I don't have to do it.

If your boat is the white and black SX190 boat he just sold then it's got a MotorGuide on it doesn't it?

[MisterE]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ranger391v &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As for the TM sticking, try pushing down on the head of the unit with one hand and pull the cord with the other if it's a Minn Kota ...... often times that takes the pressure off the shaft that is putting pressure on the pins ..... thus allowing them to unlock easier. </TD></TR></TABLE>

+1
I use my foot to push it down. The reason mine is tight is because of the cable ties holding the wire for the transducer.

I use Marine Stabil now too.

[TommyT001]

Sorry had to go out of town,

Ranger, I bought the Red, Black (bottom) and White one he had for sale. It has a 70lbs Minn Kota trolling motor. Super nice boat. I'm always on Murray or Greenwood, say hello if you see me

No problems or complaints with Michael or Jimmy Martin, I felt I was treated very fair by them and would recommend them to anyone. I'm sure he meant "try" to find gas without the ethanol when he was giving me the run down on the boat. I was just making sure it was okay to get that type of gas, due not being able to find the gas without any ethonal. This is my first "big" boat amd motor and Im just worried that I will hurt the motor by not doing something right or adding something to the gas. I did go get some marine staybil for the gas this week. Still trying to find someplace to get the oil and ringfree at a decent price.

The trolling motor needs to be moved up so that it wont hit the edge of the boat, but I figured that he was have to drill in the boat to do that, not something I would want. Hoping to get by with something to put on the edge of the boat to act as a barrier against the trolling motor and the edge.

No biggie on the locking pins, and it is easier if I push down on the head off the trolling motor when lifting it up. Just thought there might be a way to keep the pins locked back to ease putting the TM out each time. My boat doesnt ride ruff even at WOT in rough water, I wasn't concerned about the TM bouncing with the strap attached.

Last question, my boat likes to porpuse between 2500 and 3500rpm. Would adding a whales tail fin on the motor help?

Thanks
Thomas

[fishin couillon]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TommyT001 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Last question, my boat likes to porpuse between 2500 and 3500rpm. Would adding a whales tail fin on the motor help?</TD></TR></TABLE> Is your motor trimmed down? If not try that. Also, that fin probably would work but i wouldn't install one. That's just me.

[TommyT001]

Yes, even trimmed down or up, it still likes to porpuse during those rpms.

[Ranger391v]

What prop are you running and what is your engine height (prop shaft height)??? Mine can be a little finicky as well, but generally a little down trim will eventually calm it down. Mine is mostly in the 2500 area, where the boat can't make up it's mind if it's going to sit down or run.

I don't know this boat (your boat) ...... I almost bought the white/black one he just sold but the only thing that kept me from buying it was the carb'ed motor .... I really wanted a DFI or 4 stroke engine. You might could look into having a custom plate made so the original fiberglass holes bolt up, but you're able to make new ones for the TM to move it forward. Paint it black and you'll probably never notice.

Best place to buy the YamaLube and RingFree ..... Martin's or any Yamaha dealer. I'm not sure about Lexington area (as far as if any are closer), but any Yamaha dealer ought to be able to sell you the oil in bulk cheaper (just remember to bring your jug) than buying a new sealed container everytime .... I just happen to get EVERYTHING from Martin's Marine. I get RingFree at the dealer as well. And just as FYI ..... I've got a Skeeter/Yamaha dealer that's closer to me than Martin's

I know what you mean about 'wanting to take care of it'. I was that way with my Ranger .... I still am with my War Eagle .... and definately am with my new to me Skeeter.

You'll find me on The Hill, Russell, G'wd, and now some on Murray since I'm in Edgefield. That's a lake I need to learn more, or at least more than Crystal Lake.

[TommyT001]

Im running a 25m, I guess? It only wants to porpuse when i'm running about 25 - 30 mph. To correct I just go faster and it plains out just fine. I'm running about 56 or 57 on the gps WOT with a decent load. Figured I would go faster but i'm happy with the boat.

I was able to get bulk yamalube for $18 from South Lake Marine. With the ringfree costing $38.00 for a quart. Cheapest I have found around Lexington.

Thanks for the help

[Ranger391v]

25M ...... what kind of rpm's @WOT are you seeing? I think most 150's are turning 23's loaded to fish is the reason I ask.

As far as porpusing at 25-30mph ..... that's about when mine does it too. I've found trim angle to be VERY critical (meaning it's got to be bottomed out). I'm also running the factory 12" Slidemaster as well. Someone else will have to help in this area, as I'm new to Skeeters as well. As you know, we've just not had that many dealers in this state until just recent years.

As far as oil ..... I think $18/gal is what Martin's has it for as well. I do know RingFree is $36.24/qt ...... I just bought one last week.

[Tutelage Jigs]

What is all this 25-30mph crap you guys speak of , I thought they where made to run WIDE OPEN

[fishin couillon]

On mine i'm running a 23M, just depends some run the 25M also. I would like to try one but in the south i don't think i would be able to spin it that good. Your speeds sound about right. By myself and full tank of gas i top out about 57 (GPS). What yr. boat is this boat?

[TommyT001]

08' boat, 09 motor.

[Ranger391v]

Thomas,
I raised my jackplate to the 'factory recommended height'. Appearently the guy I bought the boat from had it 1.25" below recommended. Today, she didn't bounce at low speed at all. I need to check my actual prop shaft height, but from what I can tell, I'm still 1" - 1.25" below most on here. I've got plenty of water pressure (20psi).

Just FYI.