Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

We have a 2007 Suntracker w/ Merc 60 Bigfoot that we bought new.
For the last 9 yrs., the best this setup would run was 5,000 rpms and 15 mph.
Took it out yesterday, for the first time this year, and am running 17mph@6,000rpms.
This was under normal conditions with 2 adults and 1/2 tank of gas.
The boat has been hanging in the lift since last October and has not been touched.
I think I'll hang it back until next year and maybe hit 20mph.
LOL....all this is true, but I'm not really hanging it up for a year.

This sure is an amazing election year !!!
You've gotta be happy !

somebody wanted your prop so they sneeked in and changed it out so you wouldnt notice right away.

The prop changing theory is good too!

We started out last year, in cooler spring temps (cooler than summer, anyways), running ~5750RPM and maybe 21MPH with our 70HP 2 stroke. At some point during last summer, WOT was no more than 5250RPM and 20MPH. I assumed it was growth on the bottom of the toons as I was 'warned' about this (from a shop that cleans tunes). Life went on...

Then last fall, without any cleaning of the toons, our RPM increased and back to 21 MPH max.

I now believe the air temperature was the reason for the changes. I can't think of anything else to cause this. If so, would this show up more on a 2 stroke compared to a 4 stroke? I dunno.

There's more oxygen in colder air than hot air. Boats are usually faster in Spring and Fall than in the heat of the Summer. A couple of mph difference may be normal.

The temp was 84, so I consider that a summer time temp.
I like the prop thief theory.

Strong tailwind?

Ted,

I'm going with the OLD FUEL theory !

We had our toon our on the lake yesterday, and again today for a few hours. Noted to friends, that I'm still running on last November's last fuel up. Have put on about 12 hours of use since last filling up in November. Our tank holds 52 gallons so I'll be getting fresh fuel next time out or so.......

Richard

What about the clean toons theory? All the gunk/crud/growth dried up and fell off during winter lay up.

Strake.....how would OLD FUEL make it run better? I was running on last year's gas.

BobL.....when my 'toon is not being used it is hanging in the lift, so there is no growth, to speak of, on the logs. I do like the idea though.

crspang.....not much wind that day and it was consistently better no matter the direction.

If it truly gained 1,000 rpm's, I agree that someone had to change the prop.
Old gas would hurt RPM's
A tail wind would not gain rpm's more the 50-100.

I think its the EzFenders! They work magic...

[quote="smltooner"]Strake.....how would OLD FUEL make it run better? I was running on last year's gas.[/quote]

only jesting.....

It is well know in the boating industry that if your boat sits up high off the ground or water for a while, all your horsepower will start to settle to the bottom of your outdrive. Your first time taking the boat out, you will have more than normal horsepower at the prop. I don't think you will have much more left for your second time out, let us know.