Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

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willy13
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Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:23 am
Location: Canandaigua Lake in NY

Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#1 Post by willy13 » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:35 am

A picture before the restoration;
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The new Yamaha Outboard that replaces the old 40 hp Evinrude. I ended up installing the motor before stripping everything else off the boat;
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Here I am pulling off the water logged foam top. It is 2" foam with fiberglass on the top and bottom to make it structural. It was starting to sag and probably added 100lbs to the weight of the boat.
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I welded up a totally new aluminum top. It is made from 1/8" thick 2" x 1.5" aluminum tubing. The tubing is spaced at 12" off center. I will be riveting .062 aluminum sheet on top and then adding carpet. I am tempted to go with .040 aluminum sheet to save weight, but that may be too thin. Thoughts?
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Everything is removed from the deck so I can add the new carpet. I plan on not gluing the carpet because it looks like the plywood will need replacing in 5 years. Yes, I know I should do it now, but its not in the budget...
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I am curious, I do not see many of these hard top pontoon boats. Are the manufactures still making these?

Any guesses on a prop size? The marina that I bought the outboard from is getting me a prop and talking to there "expert", but I figured I would ask you guys.

Also, if you have this outboard, what WOT RPM did you shoot for. I think Yamaha recommends 5000 to 6000.

Thanks for looking! :biggrin2
William

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BobG
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#2 Post by BobG » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:43 am

willy13 wrote:Any guesses on a prop size? The marina that I bought the outboard from is getting me a prop and talking to there "expert", but I figured I would ask you guys.
My guess: 13.75 inch diameter X 15 inch pitch.
That's what I run on my 24' with my merc 115, at "lower" elevations.
2012 Tahoe 24' Fish-n-Fun Tritoon, with Mercury 115 HP 4-Stroke
"Trine SS Cape" (Trying 2S Cape)
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willy13
Posts: 248
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:23 am
Location: Canandaigua Lake in NY

Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#3 Post by willy13 » Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:59 am

Thanks for the prop guess. I will take all guesses into account when I talk to the "expert" at the marina. :wink:

Overboard!
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#4 Post by Overboard! » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:23 pm

My 115 Johnson came off of a 24' toon with a walk-on top similar to yours. The prop on that one is 13x19. I have no idea if it was optimal for that boat, but the guy my dad bought it from said it did well.

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curtiscapk
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Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake

Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#5 Post by curtiscapk » Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:49 pm

Overboard! wrote:My 115 Johnson came off of a 24' toon with a walk-on top similar to yours. The prop on that one is 13x19. I have no idea if it was optimal for that boat, but the guy my dad bought it from said it did well.
that sounds a little off for a heavy toon??? :donno do you know what your wide open throttle (wot) rpm's are?
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS

Overboard!
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#6 Post by Overboard! » Mon Jul 01, 2013 6:53 pm

To be honest I have no idea to its performance. The guy my dad bought the boat from said it did well, but you know how that goes. I personally wouldn't even know where to begin to determine the proper prop for my boat. What would you say that unit is better suited for?

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Cycleman07
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#7 Post by Cycleman07 » Tue Jul 02, 2013 1:57 pm

JC, South Bay, and Premier I know still make hard top pontoons.
2013 South Bay 524E/Mercury 150 4Stroke
2011 GMC Sierra 2500 HD SLT 4x4 Duramax

willy13
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#8 Post by willy13 » Wed Jul 03, 2013 5:11 am

Good to hear there are manufactures that still make the hard tops. I feel like a kid jumping off the top! :lol3

willy13
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Location: Canandaigua Lake in NY

Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#9 Post by willy13 » Wed Jul 03, 2013 1:54 pm

Well they finally got me a recommendation of 13"5/8 x 14 pitch prop. We'll see...

willy13
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Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#10 Post by willy13 » Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:57 am

New Carpet! I did not bother gluing it, all the stuff/trim should keep it in place.
Image

willy13
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Location: Canandaigua Lake in NY

Re: Mid 90's Suncruiser 24ft Restoration

#11 Post by willy13 » Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:49 am

The boat is on the water! :biggrin2

The 13 5/8 x 14 prop that the dealer recommended seems on the small side. I am not at WOT and I can get to 5800 rpm no problem. I was thinking about spending the $$$ on a Yamaha Pontoon Performance Series prop but the size only goes up to 14 x 13. :?: I was going to try a 14 x 15 this time. Do these props that are designed for pontoon boats really help?

Below is what Yamaha claims;
Pontoon Performance Series
These propellers feature a significantly larger blade area, for outstanding thrust and control, added grip and reduced ventilation in turns and high trim angles. Ideal for pontoons, work boats and other displacement or semi-planing craft.
Improving ventilation in turns is what interest me...

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