https://youtu.be/jyOahTY3C68

Daughter was running the video, it's not the greatest by any means.

Took several runs to get the trim close. It hit low 21 several times and was consistently running mid/upper 20's with rpms between 3800-4000.

I love the boat and motor and I am not bashing either. This is my first mud boat and surface drive, so I have a few questions.

I have to hold the tiller towards the right(slightly turning left) in order for the boat to run straight. Does this mean I need to move the motor off center, I am thinking to the left? The skeg on the Copperhead is fully welded and not supposed to be adjusted. I have not drilled the transom yet to bolt the motor down.

Second question, this boat has a full width trim tab and as I understand it, the Copperhead prop should be piercing the surface of the water, is that correct? If so, mine is not, it is running fully submerged, does this indicate that I need to bend the trim tab down? What is the recommended amount to begin with? It also porpoises with just me in the boat if I trim the motor up to gain speed. There is a 3gal fuel tank and a U1 (think lawnmower size) deep cycle battery up front just under the edge of the front deck.



I can go to a 6gal tank and a full size group 24 battery if that will help.

The daughter weighs just under 100lbs and I am 165lbs.

I was planning on hunting alone quite a bit, with the occasional friend and hopefully my daughter will be able to go with me some as well.

I would appreciate the advice if you are willing to help me.

Thanks Darryle

Did you try to adjust the trim while you were at WOT? Probably need to trim it up to get the prop to pierce the surface, although your RPMs seem slightly high for your prop to be completely submerged. Were you throwing a rooster tail?

No rooster tail at all and I did not try to adjust the trim at WOT, just getting used to the boat and motor. I did however adjust it 1/2 turn each time I adjusted it until I got the top speed.

I am going to call Copperhead this morning and I have contacted the builder, they will give me some ideas as well. I know trying to make suggestions over the Internet without actually seeing the boat run is not the best scenario.

I appreciate the help.

Make the prop break the surface and adjust it while driving to find the sweet spot. As for fighting the tiller, yes you need to adjust weight in the boat to get it dialed in.

Be careful the motor does not jump off the transom not being through bolted yet. With all the vibration I would check it frequently.

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