Honda BF 75 Power and Trim questions

[JGrider]

I have only had my 22 cruiser out a couple of times but I seem to be under powered. I may be used to going fast all the time but I do want to be fuel effiecent and dont mind slowing down. I may be trying to over load my boat but I just dont know. Is three average people, full fuel tanks, full water tank and 100 miscellaneous pounds to much for this BF75?

My next question is this, trying to trim up while moving forward causes a noise and gets very little up trim. This is a new noise to me and I was wondering if the unit may require fluid. I do not know where or how to check or add any if it was low. The system seems to work fine when sitting still. Noise is a rattling sound like a fast clicking selonoid.
Any and all help will be appreciated.

[Les Lampman]

Hi,

The BF75 is not too small an engine for the CD22...shoot they came from the factory (prior to about 1996 or so) with a Johnson 70 horsepower 2-stroke. After that the engine the C-Dory factory (before it was sold in 2000) installed most was the Honda BF75.

How fast are you trying to travel? A fully loaded CD22 is usually comfortable around 14 knots. At that speed with a 3-bladed 15" pitch prop the BF75 should be turning right around 4,000 to 4,200 rpm. You ought to get around 17 knots if you push it up to around 4,500 rpm which won't hurt the engine if it's propped correctly.

The trim/tilt system is run on hydraulics. There is a fill/check port on the trim mechanism at the upper starboard area of the unit (you need to tilt the motor up to get to it). When the cap is removed the trim fluid should be at the bottom of the filler neck.

There's also a pressure relief valve that allows you to raise or lower the engine manually. The valve is operated just like a bottle jack and the slotted screw head for that is on the left of the stern bracket (the bracket that's bolted to the boat). There's a hole in the bracket with lettering that should read "power" and "manual" and if you look through the hole you can see the slotted valve. Turn it clockwise to close it so that the power tilt works, turn it counter clockwise to open the valve so you can lower or raise the engine manually (caution: there's a lot of weight involved).

Make sure that pressure release valve is closed for proper operation.

Les

[JGrider]

Thanks Les, I was thinking that I should be trying to always turn about 4000 RPM when cruising and about 5500 WOT. I am probably still in the hurry up and get there mode. I have only spent two nights on board and am used to fishing one spot and then another some distance away. I think I just need to relax more.
I will look at the trim again tomorrow.
Thanks
John

[JGrider]

Les, I tried to look under the motor on the starboard side an did not see any where to add trim fluid. I see a plase to take off a plastic cap and I believe a few drops of fuid came out when I removed the cap. Is this 2005 Honda motor different that the one you tried to explain to me? Is this cap where fluid needs to be added and what is the type of fluid that I need to buy?
John