Sea Ray

searayspx19 · ‎01-01-2017

My 19SPX with the 150 outboard will cavitate with even the slightest trim adjustment. I cannot even get the trim needle to go above the very bottom hashmark without causing cavitation. It also cavitates when taking corner at anything other than a 30 degree turn. There is no possible way you could due tubing wit this current setup. Does anyone else with an outboard experience this? It has the stock black max prop from the factory.

Blythe1566 · ‎01-05-2017

I have the same boat, have owned 3 boats this is the first ob I've had. Mine will only cavitate if I'm making high speed full lock turns occasionally, as for trim it's the same as my other boats, usually you cannot trim very much, it's a fine line between speed and hull angle. Keep watching your speed increase if it starts to cavitate that's all u got. Most of the time it will just barely register on trim gauge, again this is the same as all the alpha and bravo stern drives I've had in the past, even my powerquest that would do over 70.

searayspx19 · ‎01-05-2017

how fast you talking about for turns? I am going down the intercoastal at 35 - 40 and anything over 30mph it will cavitate. My old 1993 stingray could do that all day.

Blythe1566 · ‎01-05-2017

Honestly right in that same speed range. Are you running with your trim all the way down? That's the only thing I can think of trim should be down for those turns.. worst case see if you can compare it to another one at the dealer?

searayspx19 · ‎01-05-2017

I have it as far down as it will go then just one touch up, still below the bottom trim line on the gauge. I guess its just how that boat handles cause its setup for an I/O. Follow up question - my steering is nowhere near what normal power steering is supposed to feel like. You have to crank on it big time. Is yours the same way?

Blythe1566 · ‎01-06-2017

It's an outboard thing I test drove several boats when buying this one and the outboards are like that

Bridog · ‎01-08-2017

I've always kept mine trimmed all the way down and that is where the boat runs its best. Steering was stiffer than I expected but I've only owned I/Os before so wasn't sure if it's normal or not. Other than that, I love the way my boat handles.

Bridog · ‎01-08-2017

I'll add that the other SRs I've owned didn't like to be trimmed either.

TimboSlice · ‎01-08-2017

Another thing to consider is that the outboard is mounted to high on the transom. This is rare, but you should be able to trim your motor some. Your situation that you can't trim it at all does not seem \ is not right, in my opinion. Generally, there are several mounting heights available, and perhaps your is mounted to high.

greg · ‎01-08-2017

I have 19spx OB and have found that you have less cavitation in full down position also. Has anyone tried different props? Or installed something similar to dolphin fin on OB? Have not been to happy with the handling of this boat, coming from 24' sundancer I have been learning the new characteristics of a smaller OB boat. Still fun to ride.

Blythe1566 · ‎01-09-2017

I looked at the mounting just to see and mine is mounted one adjustment hole up from the lowest position, curious if all are in this same spot?

Bridog · ‎01-09-2017

Searay issued a service bulletin on some 2016-2017 19SPX OB's saying that the engine may have been mounted too low. It should be bolted in the fourth hole from top of the engine mounting bracket. Dealers should have contacted owners who's boats were affected. Not a safety concern but rather to improve performance.

Blythe1566 · ‎01-09-2017

Interesting I'm not even complaining but if that is the case mine is opposite of that description! Mine is 4 up from bottom or second hole from the top.

Bridog · ‎01-09-2017

That's where mine is and I received the bulletin. Tried attaching photo of location but file is too large. Call your dealer and mention service bulletin # SR 17-06 Motor Mount Update. Where did you get your boat from?

Blythe1566 · ‎01-09-2017

Nunmaker Yachts in Madisonville Louisiana

Blythe1566 · ‎01-09-2017

I tried to attach a pic too and got that message lol

Bridog · ‎01-09-2017

Don't see your dealer mentioned but I'd still give them a call.

searayspx19 · ‎01-10-2017

I will try and take a low quality picture and attach it here. I did not get a bulletin but now i definitely want to check! Thank you!

greg · ‎01-10-2017

looks like mine is mounted on top hole pic included. not sure if it was mounted differently anything would change that much, but I will ask at my next service

Blythe1566 · ‎01-10-2017

mine is in the same position on the transom as yours, my dealer said absolutely full down trim on turns, and that the smaller boats don't like much trim anyway.

searayspx19 · ‎01-10-2017

So your dealer did not adjust the mounting position even though it is not in the position that was mentioned in Bridog's service bulletin? Reason why i ask is because my closet's dealers are 100 miles away and I don't want to drive there just to have them tell to drive with my trim down you know?

Blythe1566 · ‎01-10-2017

No they did not they ran hid and called to determine that sea ray had no bulletins or recalls on my boat. Consensus is higher position would net negative result, advised with all smaller ob boats to always run full down trim in turns, Outboards are not as deep as the sterndrives so less trim is capable of bringing them out of the water easier.

Bridog · ‎01-14-2017

I took the boat out Thursday and tried to get the prop to cavitate like some of you are experiencing. I was able to trim up to 1/4 on gauge before it happened and at that point the bow was far higher than it should be. To be honest I've always felt the boat handled great as is. Jumps right on plane, is very fast and I never really need to play with the trim. I never had my engine repositioned as per the service bulletin so it is lower than what it should be and I think I'll leave it that way. Super fun boat, I love it! Think I'll do some more "testing" today. 🙂

Jimzo356 · ‎03-25-2017

Had similar problem with my 21spx couldn't trim much. Used to stern drive but have room to drop it down one more hole.

searayspx19 · ‎03-26-2017

I've put 30 hours on it now and have just learned to trim down on turns and now more that two up shot of trim once on plane. Max turn speed is about 35 for me.

Sea Ray

My 19SPX with the 150 outboard...