[beradon]

Putershark, the stabplate problem is solved-I removed it and the plowing stopped and I got my 3-4 mph back. I don't know if it is weight displacement or what but my 190 just runs better without it. Fortunately It was a simple fix.
Unfortunately Sunday, the boat developed some new problems. Another floor panel is starting to crack-this is the 4th one. I think Triumph manufactured (or bought)a bad batch of them. Problem # 2 was with the engine, a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke-The engine "trimmed itself" to the up position and would not come down. I had to disconnect the battery to stop the hydraulic motor. I was getting ready to beach it on Picnic Island (near Pine Island) when it went up and the area was crowded with boats. When it wouldn't go down I immediately dropped my "lunch" anchor( a 4 lb danforth) and of course it wouldn't grab so I dropped my 8 pounder but a couple seconds later I "floated" into a moored Sailboat. The owner of the Sailboat was on the beach and watched the whole episode but was real nice about it. His boat is only 3 months old and looked to be about 32' long. Probably in the 200K range-Fortunately no damage to either boat. After about 1/2 hour I remembered how to drop the engine & I loosened the screw and down she went. I did it in about 5' of water which wasn't much fun because there are sharks there. I've never caught one over 30" but I'm sure there are bigger one around. The next problem was really strange-My fuel line ripped right at the barb on the fuel pump. My best guess is that I did it removing and reinstalling the cowling, but I'm not sure. I "limped" back to the dock with the cowling off and a fine mist of gas spraying out of the engine. All in all, a bad day on the water but luckily we made it back safely and the boat is at the shop getting repaired. The mechanic thinks water got into one of the switches that controls the trim/tilt and caused it to develop a mind of its own. If I had been fishing near a low bridge I could have very easily drifted under it and tore my T-Top off. Another things to be concerned about and completely unavoidable. It could happen to any of us.