Couple Newb Questions

[newb1]

So after boating for an entire weekend, I have a couple newby questions.

First up, TRIM: What are you looking for here? I would say that the PROP faces downward/negative angle when in an un-trimmed position, using the pontoons/deck as my visible level zero indicator. What is the desired prop angle in relationship with the pontoons/deck? I don't have an indicator, so it would be just looking at the prop and feel.

Second, BIMI TOPS: Can these be left on the rails for towing/traveling @ 70mph? I ask because I watch a lot of these going down the road in an upright not deployed position and they seem to travel well. I have been un-pinning mine and putting them on the floor so they don't get torn up.

Third, MOTOR DEPTH: So at WOT, I can see the water intake vents, is this normal, would me moving to a proper trim angle help this? I can supply a picture of this in a couple of weeks when we get her back out on the water.

I have more, but lets start here.. LOL

[MH Hawker]

[quote="newb1"]So after boating for an entire weekend, I have a couple newby questions.

First up, TRIM: What are you looking for here? I would say that the PROP faces downward/negative angle when in an un-trimmed position, using the pontoons/deck as my visible level zero indicator. What is the desired prop angle in relationship with the pontoons/deck? I don't have an indicator, so it would be just looking at the prop and feel.

trim is used to get max speed, by adjusting the angle on a plaining hull it lifts the front of the bo at allowing it to get up on top of the water how ever on a pontoon you wont get up on top with out lifting strakes but some fine adjustment will help



Second, BIMI TOPS: Can these be left on the rails for towing/traveling @ 70mph? I ask because I watch a lot of these going down the road in an upright not deployed position and they seem to travel well. I have been un-pinning mine and putting them on the floor so they don't get torn up. i

i leave mine up but then its only towed twice a year, on a long tow a lot drop it for gas milage

Third, MOTOR DEPTH: So at WOT, I can see the water intake vents, is this normal, would me moving to a proper trim angle help this? I can supply a picture of this in a couple of weeks when we get her back out on the water.

i really doubt that the motor would fry

I have more, but lets start here.. LOL[/quote]

[crspang]

[quote="newb1"]So after boating for an entire weekend, I have a couple newby questions.

First up, TRIM: What are you looking for here? I would say that the PROP faces downward/negative angle when in an un-trimmed position, using the pontoons/deck as my visible level zero indicator. What is the desired prop angle in relationship with the pontoons/deck? I don't have an indicator, so it would be just looking at the prop and feel. Depends on the setup you have but a classic pontoon doesn't respond much to trim. The general rule of thumb is to trim to the point just before cavitation starts.

Second, BIMI TOPS: Can these be left on the rails for towing/traveling @ 70mph? I ask because I watch a lot of these going down the road in an upright not deployed position and they seem to travel well. I have been un-pinning mine and putting them on the floor so they don't get torn up. I prefer to fold mine down all the way and strap it down while towing.

Third, MOTOR DEPTH: So at WOT, I can see the water intake vents, is this normal, would me moving to a proper trim angle help this? I can supply a picture of this in a couple of weeks when we get her back out on the water.I don't think you're actually looking the intakes. The intakes are below the cavitation plate. It would be virtually impossible to the water intake visible while underway, the prop would not be in the water. The part you are looking at is the vents for the mid-section. Water comes out of there, not in.

I have more, but lets start here.. LOL[/quote]

[crspang]

This

[Bamaman]

NewB:

You don't say what kind of boat you have and whether you're a 2 toon guy or 3 toon guy.

If you're a 2 toon boater, you've got a displacement hull and your most efficient trim would be with the propeller and anticavitation plate parallel with the bottom of the boat.

If you're a 2 or 3 toon boater with lifting strakes, you can use your power trim to get the nosecones out of the water. Depending on your horsepower, you may could get 10 more mph and much better fuel efficiency with the toons up.

I wouldn't trailer my boat with the bimini up, and there's a way to trailer it about 1' above the upholstery--slanted back. You could also drop the bimini all thy way down on the upholstery and use a bunjee cord to hold it down.

When your motor's at the optimum level, you can run and turn into tight corners without ventilation. My boat's setup perfectly, however I still cannot see the anticavitation plate when at a fast cruise. Pontoons and tritoons put out strange water out the back end, and the rule where you can see the top of the anticavitation plate is null and void on pontoons.

[DWRAT]

Sounds like you need to lower your motor.
Seeing the water intake tells me it's way to high.

[newb1]

Thanks everyone - I plan on being out on the lake over the July 4th holiday and can take some pics... I know, that's a long ways away, but those are my next days off.

As for the toon that I have - She is a 2000 Tracker Marine 25' Fishing Barge Signature Series (pontoon). She is running a 2005 140 Johnson BRP outboard.

[Bamaman]

Okay, you've got a 2 toon 25' boat with a very powerful motor.

Your boat should accelerate very well with 140 hp, but it's going to hit a wall around 30 mph where it just won't go much faster.

If you have enough motor in the water, it should make tight turns without the prop blowing out--ventilating.

Many bass boat owners will have a water pressure gauge installed on their boats. Many run very trimmed out, and they like to know whether they're getting enough water to their engines. I'd suggest you install a pressure gauge on your boat if you have any doubts about your engine's cooling capabilities.

[rancherlee]

If you haven't been told yet, that Johnson 140 is a Suzuki clone, same engine with white paint and BRP controls/wiring. Great engine, but kinda hard to find good props for. Mine 140 is on a shorter Tritoon and has plenty of giddyup for watersports, just make SURE your running 5900-6300rpm WOT

[newb1]

[quote="rancherlee"]If you haven't been told yet, that Johnson 140 is a Suzuki clone, same engine with white paint and BRP controls/wiring. Great engine, but kinda hard to find good props for. Mine 140 is on a shorter Tritoon and has plenty of giddyup for watersports, just make SURE your running 5900-6300rpm WOT[/quote]

I have heard that it is a Suzuki clone. What prop are you running? I am maxing out at about 6K RPMs and I don't feel like it is watersport worthy - fast yes (for a pontoon), but not that fast. This could also be my trim issue as well as my depth issue.

But I have questioned the prop to make sure that it is giving me as much VVVVRRRROOOOMMMM as possible. I am not a fisherman, I am a sports person, so zippy is what I want.

[rancherlee]

I'm running a Solas Amita4 17 pitch on mine most of the time, also have the 15 pitch version or pulling tubes/skiers or plan on having a full load for the day. It's just Me/Wife/Daughter 75% of the time and the 17p puts me right at 6000rpm and 36-37mph, the 15p with 6-8 adults turns 6000-6300 @ 32-34mph. I also have an Solas 14x17p stainless 3 blade but rarely use it, It's my fastest prop by ~2mph but the Aluminum 4 blade just works better all around, and cheap to replace @ 120$ off ebay.

[newb1]

[quote="rancherlee"]I'm running a Solas Amita4 17 pitch on mine most of the time, also have the 15 pitch version or pulling tubes/skiers or plan on having a full load for the day. It's just Me/Wife/Daughter 75% of the time and the 17p puts me right at 6000rpm and 36-37mph, the 15p with 6-8 adults turns 6000-6300 @ 32-34mph. I also have an Solas 14x17p stainless 3 blade but rarely use it, It's my fastest prop by ~2mph but the Aluminum 4 blade just works better all around, and cheap to replace @ 120$ off ebay.[/quote]

Now I need to learn an whole other side of this!!! Lol Prop'ing.... I thought I was just buying a party barge.. LOL