Lost performance?

This topic has 9 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 5 months ago by Bass Cat Boats.

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January 5, 2009 at 4:56 pm #408954

smbassman
Participant

I have been noticing my 03 Cougar FTD has lost a little performance – specifically the bow does not lift like it used to and the speed has decreased some becasue of this. I know I could be carrying more stuff and the prop isnt in perfect condition. But I was wondering what happens to water if it gets behind bow electrical panel or through the transducer wire hole. Does it draing into the bilge or is that a sealed foam area? I fish a lot on the great lakes and the recessed area is always full of water when the waves come over the bow. Neither of these were ever sealed, so I assume it would drain into the bilge – correct? Thanks!

January 5, 2009 at 5:09 pm #408957

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

All water entering the bow/cockpit is drained into the bilge, and pumped overboard. All the floatation is sealed and protected from water intrusion. The only way for water to affect the floatation is if holes are drilled somewhere they shouldnt be and not sealed properly ! LOAD is everything, keep your heavy load as rear in the boat as possible, and reduce your bow weight. This is my worst issue, carrying too much stuff in my boat,,,,,that is why i will never have a fast boat, but i always have what i need on the water. But then i usually end up throwing a jig anyway, and seldom even open more than one compartment on a trip ! D. Last edited by dbasketman on January 5th, 2009, 5:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.

January 5, 2009 at 5:13 pm #408960

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

D has given you the answer. It is a sealed foam chamber and the drain runs in a channel Triangle V below the front chamber. BCB

January 6, 2009 at 12:42 am #408962

macbass.basscatowners
Participant

Sm just dont understand how you think that boat has lost performance it has been sitting in the garage for about 2 months.. if it needs more bow lift crank up the jack…LMAO on the serious side my partner jim who has the 2005 cougar seems to have the same problem says he has lost about 5 to 7 hundred rpm on the top end of his 2005 mercury pro xs.IF ITS NOT A CAT ITS A DOG BASSCAT BOATS 2001 COUGAR 225 YAMAHA….www.dropshotdennys.com

January 6, 2009 at 3:07 am #408966

smbassman
Participant

I may not have been clear – on the front T/M recess there is a plate with the TM plug on it and then there is a hole with a clamshell shield for the front LCD. If water gets through either of these areas, it drains to the bilge? I know there is a drain plug to get the water to the bilge, but that doesnt really keep up when the waves are hitting you about knee high. Macbass – It is a little too frozen to run the boats, so it is the best time to fix them. I can still hit the limiter and still hit top speed around 5600 but the bow really hangs low. I is a lot tougher to run the big waves also. I am sure it is overloaded since the FTD is all front storage (packed full) but I thought I would ask.

January 6, 2009 at 3:58 am #408970

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Bad prop and load and load placement are major causes of bad performance!

January 6, 2009 at 6:06 am #408973

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Again, yes that area drains to the bilge. DB was clear and there is a Vee shaped opening running the length of the bow under that area with no obstructions. The transducer wires are run through there. BCB

January 6, 2009 at 6:07 am #408976

dragmaster
Participant

A couple of months ago I dinged up my prop, not bad just a few nicks, lost 3 to 5 mph. RPM stayed the same and the load was the same, Last week got a new prop, same type size ect, picked up 3 to 5 MPH and better bow lift. Food for thought!

January 6, 2009 at 1:01 pm #408979

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

I was 99% sure it was related to the prop and load, but I had someone related to BassCat mention the T/M electrical plate was supposed to be sealed to keep water out. When I told him that mine had never been sealed he said he might be mistaken. Thanks again for the reassurance.

January 6, 2009 at 3:44 pm #408982

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

We dont know who could have commented on such, though they are in error. The trolling motor plate is not sealed. Water is permitted to migrate through that area into the drain. BCB
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