Squirrelly boat while on plane?

What type of boat and bottom is it? Is it a V bottom or flat? If mine is trimmed up too much you can feel the boat “slide” back and forth on the bottom slightly, trim down just a touch and it disappears. All part of getting used to a new boat style for me.

Before you take any of my suggestions, post the manufacturer of your skiff so that other owners on the sight can give you some first-hand info. After that, here is what I'd suggest: First of all, make sure your steering is rigged properly with no slop in the linkage. Next, what is the horsepower rating of your boat? 90 HP seems like a lot of motor for a 16 foot poling skiff. Try running the boat with the trim all the way down to see if things improve any. If able, you might also try dropping the engine down a notch or two to see if the boat is happier that way.

I’m with @Frank Ucci on this. 90hp seems like a lot of motor for a 16’ poling skiff. Sounds like the boat is chine walking which would tell me it is a V hull. Generally chine walking is caused by running to much trim up and too much throttle. Trimming or tabbing down and/or slowing down will stop this from happening. Post more details about your skiff and the braintrust can give you better suggestions.

Yep, as others have said... type of boat, tunnel hull? And BTW, lose is fast!😉

Sounds to me that 90 is to powerful for a 16 hence squirrelly

90 hp, 16 feet, handling issues, who would have thought that could happen.....if it’s been run like I think it would have given the moron who would put 90hp on a 16 foot anything in the first place, I would be worried about that transom, stringers and bottom. I can guarantee you that boat was not designed for the bottom pressures that a 90 would create. That’s my gut reaction.

Anyway, too little info from the OP to give any accurate assessment but I know of no true poling skiff at 16 feet that is rated for a 90, it simply makes no sense.

A maverick 17v is like a 16’9” boat and are rated for 115 hp I believe so yeah maybe just wait for him to respond before telling him it’s overpowered.

texasag07 said:

A maverick 17v is like a 16’9” boat and are rated for 115 hp I believe so yeah maybe just wait for him to respond before telling him it’s overpowered.

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Agreed plenty of action craft and hewes 16 footers with 90s on them we need to know what kind of bot it is first.

Many boats will have that issue if engine is jacked up too high also.

FlyLord said:

while turning on plane above 20/25mph The outboard sounds like it’s coming out of the water due to the sound of it.

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That is the prop cavitating.

Let's add the Dolphin super skiff to that long list of 16 foot hulls that step right out with a 90 (particularly those old 90 two strokes that were significantly lighter than a comparable current issue four stroke 90s.... ).

Hard to imagine a modern light hull construction poling skiff with a 90. The object is to get the overall weight down to a minimal value, and thus get much more favorable fuel economy as well. Older heavier boats could go OK with a 90 I guess, since the 2-strokes were lighter.

Wow, dudes calling people morons (Fishtex) for having a 90 on their skiff. That’s constructive...
How about we wait for this guy to reply and see what the actual setup is and see if someone can offer some constructive criticism or tips to help this person troubleshoot.

The OP is sitting back eating popcorn.

BassFlats said:

The OP is sitting back eating popcorn.

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You have to love the internet. People post questions and scenarios like this and a bunch of folks argue for two days about it with no reply from the OP...

how is it chine walking at 20-25 mph? motor is too high, he says its blowing out in turns. my 16 foot skiff has a 90 and is rated for 115. is it a poling skiff? well it has a poling platform and wall considered one back in the day.

devrep said:

how is it chine walking at 20-25 mph? motor is too high, he says its blowing out in turns. my 16 foot skiff has a 90 and is rated for 115. is it a poling skiff? well it has a poling platform and wall considered one back in the day.

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FlyLord said:

Recently bought a 16foot poling skiff with a 90hp 2 stroke (will upgrade the outbound soon to a 4stroke)

I’ve noticed while on planes running above 25mph the stern of the boat (back of the boat) acts “squirrelly”

the rear of the boat kicks out left and right slightly? Kinda spooky.

also, while turning on plane above 20/25mph The outboard sounds like it’s coming out of the water due to the sound of it.

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OP states it is getting squirrelly above 25mph. Also sounds like prop is blowing out in turns at speed.

Bad hull design or setup is wrong (setback/ motor height/ prop selection).

NealXB2003 said:

Bad hull design or setup is wrong (setback/ motor height/ prop selection).

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How do you know based on the limited information provided?