Beginners questions rio ole 400

[debs]

We have recently purchased a Rio Ole 400 with mercury 400 bhp. We took it out for the first time yesterday on the sea very slowly to begin with but the boat seemed to have the nose quite high in the air. We adjusted the engine angle and it was slightly better. Is this normal or is there a problem? Also there are 2 plugs at the back which say remove when going fast, could someone advise what these do please and how fast is fast to take them out. Any advice is much appreciated as we are newbies. Thanks.

 

[colingr]

Sounds like you were just under planing speed but above hull speed.. Give it a bit more throttle and it should flatten out, then you can ease back while still on the plane. Practice will find the best speeds for you.

I would guess that the plugs can come out while on the plane to drain the bilges. Probably no necessary if the boat is dry.

 

[Firefly625]

engine will be 40hp, if labelled a Mercury 400.. I am afraid it will not be 400hp. a Rio Ole 400 with a couple of people in, with an incorrect trim angle on the boat may struggle to get up on the plane... ensure no water under the floor, you almost certainly will have a drain plug on the boat, when the boat is out the water take drain plug out and ensure nothing comes out. ensure there is not too much weight at the back of the boat and have another go, as JB says, open up the throttle fully then pull back once the boat has got over the hump, i.e. it flattens out.

2 plugs to remove at speed? .. I would imagine drain holes to empty out any water within the boat, if there isn't any don't remove them... but can be useful if raining, or if people are getting in the boat after swimming etc...