got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote:
Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom

How is it towing that thing? How wide is it? Easy to launch from the
trailer? Reason I ask, is I can get one just about like that pretty
cheap, needs some work, of course, but I'd like to have it in addition
to my bass boat.

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

basskisser wrote:
wrote:
Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom

How is it towing that thing? How wide is it? Easy to launch from the
trailer? Reason I ask, is I can get one just about like that pretty
cheap, needs some work, of course, but I'd like to have it in addition
to my bass boat.

I have a 1/2 ton GMC 4x4 with towing package and hd springs... little
bounce but easy tow. I think the boat weighs 1600 lbs? Previous owner
said he towed it with a 4cyl Nissan Frontier.

Not sure on the width... 8'?

Launch / recovery is a breeze... couldn't be any easier. The center
rollers are easy to hit... and they just guide it right on.

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote in message
ups.com...

basskisser wrote:
wrote:
Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom

How is it towing that thing? How wide is it? Easy to launch from the
trailer? Reason I ask, is I can get one just about like that pretty
cheap, needs some work, of course, but I'd like to have it in addition
to my bass boat.

I have a 1/2 ton GMC 4x4 with towing package and hd springs... little
bounce but easy tow. I think the boat weighs 1600 lbs? Previous owner
said he towed it with a 4cyl Nissan Frontier.

Not sure on the width... 8'?

Launch / recovery is a breeze... couldn't be any easier. The center
rollers are easy to hit... and they just guide it right on.

I pull mine with a Windstar Van with no problem. However, my trailer is the
type with the wheels under the deck inside the pontoons. I wouldn't want to
tow it too far as it rocks from side to side somewhat. A friend had his
boat, trailer and all tip over as he was turning off the exit ramp and up
onto the overpass and was hit by a gust of wind. Also, there doesn't seem
to be enough weight on the hitch. A neighbor has a drive on trailer for his
pontoon with the wheels under the pontoons and he routinely takes the rig
out of state behind his big motor home with no problems.

Tom G

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote:
basskisser wrote:
wrote:
Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom

How is it towing that thing? How wide is it? Easy to launch from the
trailer? Reason I ask, is I can get one just about like that pretty
cheap, needs some work, of course, but I'd like to have it in addition
to my bass boat.

I have a 1/2 ton GMC 4x4 with towing package and hd springs... little
bounce but easy tow. I think the boat weighs 1600 lbs? Previous owner
said he towed it with a 4cyl Nissan Frontier.

Not sure on the width... 8'?

Launch / recovery is a breeze... couldn't be any easier. The center
rollers are easy to hit... and they just guide it right on.

Thanks for the info. I may go for it, it's quite a deal, and would be
nice to take the wife and kids on if I wasn't planning on fishing. It
would also be nice for fishing away from the edges, like striper
fishing!

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote:
On 17 Aug 2006 12:50:56 -0700, wrote:

Thanks for the help / advice on the water pressure question.

1998 21' Sun Tracker (aluminum floor), 40 HP Merc.

Now I may need to do some prop tweaking to get the speed up. I was
thinking low 20s tops but read a few posts were folks were getting more
than that. Any experience with similar combos and what top speed was?
I may be limited by the 'little foot'.

Anyway, here's a link to some (kind of dark) pics.... hope it works:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tapeni...404re2&.src=ph


Tom
I think you are optimistic. I only get 22-23 out of my 20' harris with
a 60 BF and I am pretty light, no furniture


You were right... took it out yesterday and only squeezed 13 mph out of
it!!!!! That was with four adults, two kids, and 2 1/4 dogs. Sound
right?

I was thinking 18 minimum.... so thinking I'd investigate a prop
change. Thoughts? Read something about a prop calculator.. but one I
found the link was dead and another charged for the service. Any real
world experience?



Tom

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote:
On 20 Aug 2006 18:37:49 -0700, wrote:


wrote:
On 17 Aug 2006 12:50:56 -0700, wrote:

I think you are optimistic. I only get 22-23 out of my 20' harris with
a 60 BF and I am pretty light, no furniture


You were right... took it out yesterday and only squeezed 13 mph out of
it!!!!! That was with four adults, two kids, and 2 1/4 dogs. Sound
right?

I was thinking 18 minimum.... so thinking I'd investigate a prop
change. Thoughts? Read something about a prop calculator.. but one I
found the link was dead and another charged for the service. Any real
world experience?


I am afraid you may be looking at it. If your boat is pretty heavy
(lots of furniture pottys etc) that does not surprise me. My buddy has
a 20' Crest that is stripped for fishing and it only gets 15-16 with a
40HP Suzi/Rude 4 stroke
Do you have a tach? That is the best prop calculator. You should be
somewhere in the recomended top RPM range at WOT Pontoons are still
never going to be speed boats. Does it sound like it is lugging or
over reving? (I doubt the computer will let it run too fast.)
If your dealer will let you swap out the prop it is worth a shot.
This is one calculator.
http://www.boatpropellers.com/propcalc.html

Thanks... but ugh. 13?! I wouldn't say there was a lot of furniture..
just a standard Sun Tracker "Party Barge". And it is one of the ones
with an aluminum floor and composite furniture (no plywood), would
think that would lighten it up a bit. Think it's 1600 lbs.

Turns about 4800 - 5000 rpms... figure that's about right. Doesn't
seem to lug or over-rev. Wasn't sure about several things, but guessed
4:1 on the tranny, 13 pitch prop, and 0.15 on the 'slip'.... sound
about right? Those figures came out 13mph.... so if my guesses were
right sounds like that speed is about right.

Brother-in-law is looking at a new one and the dealer is saying 32 with
a 90hp. Now I'm thinking that's way too high?

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

On 21 Aug 2006 07:03:54 -0700, wrote:


wrote:
On 20 Aug 2006 18:37:49 -0700, wrote:


wrote:
On 17 Aug 2006 12:50:56 -0700, wrote:

I think you are optimistic. I only get 22-23 out of my 20' harris with
a 60 BF and I am pretty light, no furniture


You were right... took it out yesterday and only squeezed 13 mph out of
it!!!!! That was with four adults, two kids, and 2 1/4 dogs. Sound
right?

I was thinking 18 minimum.... so thinking I'd investigate a prop
change. Thoughts? Read something about a prop calculator.. but one I
found the link was dead and another charged for the service. Any real
world experience?


I am afraid you may be looking at it. If your boat is pretty heavy
(lots of furniture pottys etc) that does not surprise me. My buddy has
a 20' Crest that is stripped for fishing and it only gets 15-16 with a
40HP Suzi/Rude 4 stroke
Do you have a tach? That is the best prop calculator. You should be
somewhere in the recomended top RPM range at WOT Pontoons are still
never going to be speed boats. Does it sound like it is lugging or
over reving? (I doubt the computer will let it run too fast.)
If your dealer will let you swap out the prop it is worth a shot.
This is one calculator.
http://www.boatpropellers.com/propcalc.html

Thanks... but ugh. 13?! I wouldn't say there was a lot of furniture..
just a standard Sun Tracker "Party Barge". And it is one of the ones
with an aluminum floor and composite furniture (no plywood), would
think that would lighten it up a bit. Think it's 1600 lbs.

Turns about 4800 - 5000 rpms... figure that's about right. Doesn't
seem to lug or over-rev. Wasn't sure about several things, but guessed
4:1 on the tranny, 13 pitch prop, and 0.15 on the 'slip'.... sound
about right? Those figures came out 13mph.... so if my guesses were
right sounds like that speed is about right.

Brother-in-law is looking at a new one and the dealer is saying 32 with
a 90hp. Now I'm thinking that's way too high?


That sounds a little high. I have a 24' Bennington tri-toon with the
lifting strakes and underbody wave shield (performance package).
Bennington's are heavy, but it has a Johnson 150hp, and it does 35mph
when everything's right.

got the pontoon (link to pics)
 

wrote:
On 21 Aug 2006 07:03:54 -0700, wrote:

Turns about 4800 - 5000 rpms... figure that's about right. Doesn't
seem to lug or over-rev. Wasn't sure about several things, but guessed
4:1 on the tranny, 13 pitch prop, and 0.15 on the 'slip'.... sound
about right? Those figures came out 13mph.... so if my guesses were
right sounds like that speed is about right.

Brother-in-law is looking at a new one and the dealer is saying 32 with
a 90hp. Now I'm thinking that's way too high?

You have a merc 40 EFI, non big-foot?

My book says you should be turning 5500-6000 WOT so you are over
propped
The reduction is 1.83:1 and merc recomends 12¼ x 9 or a cupped 8,

The 60HP seems to be a fairly good compromise between speed and
economy on my 20. I had a 75 2 stroke (about the same weight) and it
was more like 24 MPH but a lot more fuel. At a certain point you are
just churning water and not going much faster. My neighbor has a 90
Yammy 4 stroke on a heavy 24' and he gets about 26

Yep, two stroke 40, little foot. Now we're talking - if I plug in 5500
rpms, 1.83 ratio, 9 pitch, 2200 lbs, 21', 0.15 slip (whatever that
is... cavitation?), the calc
(http://www.boatpropellers.com/propcalc.html) comes up with 21.8. Even
if it was close to that it would be tolerable. I thought it should
turn a little more than 5k... may swing by a prop shop. I think
there's one here in town that'll sell ya one and let ya bring it back
if it's not kosher.

Wow, if your neighbor's 24 is hitting 26 with a 90 the dealer may be
closer than I thought on the 32mph statement. It's a 21' and a fishing
pontoon so maybe those are a little lighter (less furniture) and the
90 is a four-stroke.