Smartwave 3500 and new 15 hp Suzuki long shaft not
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Category: Saltwater Fishing
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URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=132622
Printed Date: 31 Jan 2026 at 6:36am
Topic: Smartwave 3500 and new 15 hp Suzuki long shaft not
Posted By: keem
Subject: Smartwave 3500 and new 15 hp Suzuki long shaft not
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2020 at 3:21am
| Hi folks and thanks for adding me to forum. Have a new smart wave 3500 and new Suzuki 15 hp 4 st. Ls. I have trimmed engine at various positions and boat will not plane with just me in it . I weigh 70 kg and have the motor trimmed in to the stern at the last hole. Do I need to add weight in the bow /change prop or what. Any advive would be very welcome ...pulling my hair out at this stage and have read this boats review with 2 aboard and same set up as mine where it planed no problem. |
Replies:
Posted By: DIY
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2020 at 8:39am
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I bought the exact same set up about 7-8 years ago and at the time the boat needed a short shaft motor, but seem to remember they may have raised the transom height since. As long as it is the correct motor you should be able to get along easily. I used to be able to get up to about 16kts 2 up. When on my own it would be a bit arse heavy to get on plane so I used a tiller extension and sat on the middle seat. Used to fly along then. ------------- Oh what a smasher - two eggs and a rasher! |
Posted By: spin king
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2020 at 9:19am
is it brand a new hull? they have been having problems with their molds blowing out check to see if the hull lines are straight. 15hp should definitely get on the plane ive got a 30hp on mine. chuck up some pictures,
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Posted By: keem
Date Posted: 02 Jan 2020 at 1:34pm
| Thanks lads yes it is 2019 model 3500 and arse is digging in with one on board. I was told some guys pour concrete into anchor well lined first of course and the weight in bow helps plane. Seems a radical solution though. I have emailed the manufacturer for advice also and will let you all know what they advise. Have to say really disappointed at this stage after 3 trips out and trying every possible angle on trim on motor. Waiting to see what Smartwave have to say. Im based in Dublin Ireland and bought boat from Smartwave dealership in Northern Ireland.3.5 hours trip each way |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 9:03am
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Under powered.. will sit bow up and hard to get to plain.. See comments on power from the guys above. Also the recommended hp rating for general use by the manufactures IS 30 hp NEVER .. never go the bottom spec power on any boat.. unless just want something to get from shore to your main moored launch.. which it sounds like is what you have powered for. motor too low.. thats like dropping another couple ppl or pour load of cement in the boat.. Your problem is the bow getting over the bow wave.. its like driving a under powered car up a steep hill.. you really think dropping a extra weight in the car would help? Stay well away from those who give such .. yep BS... advice. Planing hulls are powered to weight .. not like displacement hulls that are length.. A 4 blade prop with a lot of rake will lever the bow down and the stern up IF reasonable power AND engine cavitation plate set correct height at normal to fast cruise. The correct prop, for the end use of the hull The dealer should have sorted all this stuff for you. but the chances are the sales person wouldnt know much more than than a motor boat has a motor .. |
Posted By: keem
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 11:46am
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Hi steps Thanks for your reply and advice. That all makes sense . Reason I went with this setup was after reading the review here http://www.fishingmonthly.net.au/Articles/Display/9062-Smart-Little-Smartwave-3500" rel="nofollow - http://www.fishingmonthly.net.au/Articles/Display/9062-Smart-Little-Smartwave-3500 . As you can see with 2 on board and 15hp the report said it planed easily and got 20 knots. WTF is all that about?. Still waiting to hear back from manufacturer. But thanks again and I will keep everyone posted on what develops. |
Posted By: DIY
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 4:17pm
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Maybe too obvious, but it sounds like you have a long shaft motor on a short shaft transom. ------------- Oh what a smasher - two eggs and a rasher! |
Posted By: DIY
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 7:02pm
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Just read the article and they had a 15hp 2 stroke on it. My one also had a 2 stroke. I note yours is a 4 stroke, maybe it lacks the initial grunt to take it over the bow wave, mine would struggle a bit with weight on board until over the bow wave then went like the clappers. I did install a Permatrim which did help. ------------- Oh what a smasher - two eggs and a rasher! |
Posted By: keem
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 7:13pm
| Thanks lads for replies. Supplier specified long shaft. Tiller extension will be next thing to try. Also will look at changing to 20hp or 25 hp if dealer gives good deal on the 15hp . |
Posted By: Kandrew
Date Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 8:42pm
| I can’t believe a 3.5mtr boat is recommended to need a 30hp motor. Unreal take the boat back and get an alloy boat. I’ve got a 3.7 quintrex my 15hp merc smokes it along. Tows a ski biskit and planes easy 3 up. |
Posted By: keem
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 12:11am
| Thanks for the info Kandrew |
Posted By: Snappa Geoff
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 7:09am
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Kandrew wrote:Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 11:45am
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Still waiting to hear back from manufacturer. Gallergers are basically closed till the 6th Jan , with only a basic staff on till then.. Reason I went with this setup was after reading the review here Reality Check We had a review journalist at our car club meet a while back.. a close friend of several members. Off the record.. all reviews are positive even when they cant be..If actually say what the mean then the journo then doesnt get further offers to review and becomes unemployed. Add to that , with boats, often when crunch their numbers , boats are propped and carry very light loads that give results very different to joe publics loaded boat propped to that weight.. I hate it (heart breaking) when so often ppl come to me with their new rig " why doesnt it go like the sea trial/ review.. can I re prop so it will? you cant re prop to increase HP report said it planed easily and got 20 knots. WTF is all that about?. Crunch numbers, keep in mind I dont have much info on this hull in my data base for accurate constant number. Works out that the TOTAL gross weight on the water ppl everything) will be 350 /450kg I have no idea if that would be close to reality If the prop/ leg is too deep, even say 2" thats sort of the equivalent to and extra adult.. and a small boat that a huge difference. I note yours is a 4 stroke, maybe it lacks the initial grunt to take it over the bow wave, put this statement into perspective. Im starting to see this sort of thing recently as more $s engines on small boats become more common. By nature a $S has significantly less power in low and mid low rpm ranges.. hence why in General they have 10 to 15% more WoT rpm power than advertised, lifting the whole rpm poer curve to match 2S. Now add say tops 15%% onto a small 15hp thats 17/18 hp .. not very significant. Add only 10hp 7% onto a 140hp on a 5.5m 1250kg boat and the difference in hull performance is very noticeable.. to over powered. things that will help to get over that bow wave Tiller extension will be next thing to try A prop with more rake. And last which will remove any manufactures warrantees... a permatrim. |
Posted By: keem
Date Posted: 02 Apr 2020 at 12:06pm
| Hi lads its been a while now but between windy weather which seemed to go on forever and other stuff I finall got to have a few days out in the boat. As I said earlier I was having trouble getting it to plane but have sorted it now tbanks to advice and tips from you folks. Engine trimmed fully in to transom , large fuel tank forward of centre seat and few minor adjustments and its planeing fine. Thanks for all the help much obliged. Love the boat and so far mainly used on large lakes. Will take her out on sea when weather and fishing improves. Got a striker 4 plus and am figuring out where to mount head and transducer. Direct screwed to transom or plastic board mounted. Not sure where to mount head either on gunnel or centre seat. Any tips would be great. Thanks again lads and stay safe with the covid 19. |
Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2020 at 10:49pm
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The Smartwave should indeed do just fine with a 15hp 2S one or two up. I put five on mine 2adults 3 small kids and it popped up on the plane easy as. I later put a 20hp 4S suzuki Df20a on it and it was absolutely fine, except when I had a lot of weight on. Boat=120kg Motor=45kg Fuel, battery, gear etc=30kg 2 adults=140kg No probs with a 20hp 4 stroke (11" SS 3 blade prop) 3 kids= 140kg (reluctant at this weight but always got up) 400kg the max I would recommend on it. It's safe offshore for such a small craft. I took it 10km off NZs west coast more than once. The really big waves are no problem due to the buoyancy of it. The short sharp harbour/lake chop is far more annoying. Pound city. Great boat for what it is. If I was buying another though, I'd put the Yam 25hp 4S on it or an E-tec if I was carrying big loads. One or two up 15hp is heaps. |
Posted By: Steps
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2020 at 9:08am
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From above: "report (15hp) said it planed easily and got 20 knots. WTF is all that about?. Crunch numbers, keep in mind I dont have much info on this hull in my data base for accurate constant number. Works out that the TOTAL gross weight on the water ppl everything) will be 350 /450kg I have no idea if that would be close to reality If the prop/ leg is too deep, even say 2" thats sort of the equivalent to and extra adult.. and a small boat that a huge difference." Now actual on water numbers..from OWT above looks to be engine too deep and or very baddly propped. Just out of interest calc prop with limited data suzuki Df20a 5300 to 6300 gear ratio 2.08:1 Propping to middle of range for normal loading. 5800. Would be looking at around a 11.5 to 12.5 pitch prop with correct diameter for slip. A 11 would give bit more get up on the plane 'go' |