Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

If you have follwed my saga, I bought a 24"x16' new tube for my 24' boat.
I got it installed yesterday and headed to the lake for the test. It floats way higher in the front, as it should I installed it all the way forward. My goal was to get the boat running on the flats of the logs instead of plowing water. This acomplished that goal on the side logs, but the center log hanging a bit lower, still parts the water just a hair.

I have other issues to contend with now.

As I was warned, underpinning is a MUST, the water splash I am getting now is much more severe than I had imagined up front. What water gets parted with the center log, hits the fins and throws it right up against the mounting area of the side toons and certainly doesnt help.

I am also getting a ton of turbulance at the stern now, so the prop is not biting as good as it should be.
I am currently running my spare prop, which runs about 1.5-2MPH slower anyways. Testing yesterday dropped it another 1 MPH, not the result I was hoping for. I am anxious to get my 4-blade back on the boat to see what it does.

Sounds like you're making progress! I'm sure that you will work out the kinks!!!

I'm really jealous that you were able to take it for a test ride yesterday. Our lakes are open, but I would not even think about going out on the water yet!

Good Luck,
Dan

Sounds like you are on your way to where you need to be. The problem with a log that ends infront of the transom is the wave that follows several feet behind. Your prop is in even more chopped up water than before. I agree that the 4 blade will make a difference ( I love the one I am using) but did the back of the boat go up at all ? I know the third log ends short but it may have still raised up your motor a bit especially when you get up on plane. You may need to try dropping you motor to see it it helps the prop find some hard water to bite in. I have my center log set 2" lower than the outter logs and really like how it helps with turning. I never tried it mounted level but I am sure it slows it down in the straight runs. I do however like what it does for handling !

, shaun

I never tried it mounted level but I am sure it slows it down in the straight runs. I do however like what it does for handling !

Shaun, are you saying that mounting it lower like you did slowed it down?

It did bring up the back end some as well. One issue I had was after installation, I had to lift each side of the boat, and turn my bunks up level to raise the boat up some. The third log essentially was resting on the cross-members. I need to get at least 2 more inches of clearance for loading and unloading.

spurhunter wrote:It did bring up the back end some as well. One issue I had was after installation, I had to lift each side of the boat, and turn my bunks up level to raise the boat up some. The third log essentially was resting on the cross-members. I need to get at least 2 more inches of clearance for loading and unloading.

Can't you just shim the bunks from below with some 2x6 ? May need longer bolts.

Red555 wrote:

spurhunter wrote:It did bring up the back end some as well. One issue I had was after installation, I had to lift each side of the boat, and turn my bunks up level to raise the boat up some. The third log essentially was resting on the cross-members. I need to get at least 2 more inches of clearance for loading and unloading.

Can't you just shim the bunks from below with some 2x6 ? May need longer bolts.

That is my plan, just didnt want to take all the time to do that with the water waiting for my test run.

Mrtoler wrote:I never tried it mounted level but I am sure it slows it down in the straight runs. I do however like what it does for handling !

Shaun, are you saying that mounting it lower like you did slowed it down?

I am sure in my case with all three logs being the same diameter my boat would be faster overall with all three at the same level . I was at the 30 mph. mark with my old 115 and I know with the correct setup I would have passed that but insted the 115 passed out L.O.L. I will be running a yamaha 90 this summer so it will we intersting to see where I get it to run at. While my center log is lower for overall handling I do know that my prop is in good " hard " water not the chopped up stuff most toons see. I was able to raise my motor from it's original position and it helped. I also switched to a 4 blade prop when I had to go back to my small motor. I know th 4 blade props are not he fastest but I love how it works in choppy rough water. I will probably be running one again this summer. When you add the third log to an existing boat there is no set rule for what will work. It's a trial and error thing. Find what works for you and stick with it. Props alone can make a huge difference.

, shaun

Didn't realize I hadn't updated this thread, so here goes.

As far as the overall ride, WAY better. The boat sits much higher in the front, obviously, so it takes large wake like a dream. I was out Sunday in 20knot winds and it had the lake capping with 3-4' rollers. Bass boats were having a hell of a time, I saw a few go almost 90* vertical, but I could run full throttle drinking a soft drink. The rollers were just close enough together for the old girl to crest each one... thing of beauty I tell ya.

Speed: Very disappointed that it didn't give me anything, not only that, it actually cut 2.5-3 MPH off my speed. But I think with a full load of people, the way it rides in the front it will actually even out.

Trailer issue: I used 4x4 blocks to space the bunks. I jacked up each side and that made it easier to install them all. The problem is I didn't take into account the placement when angled, would change so much, so I need to readjust where I attached the brackets to the 4x4 this weekend. It's causing issues when I load the boat each time, often tilting the bunks off kilter. Simple solution, just time consuming.

[quote="spurhunter"]
Speed: Very disappointed that it didn't give me anything, not only that, it actually cut 2.5-3 MPH off my speed. But I think with a full load of people, the way it rides in the front it will actually even out.
quote]

Your speed slowed down from the additional weight of that third log. Under skin and lifting strakes would add to your speed even with a 90 if it could push you past 15 mph.

What speed were you getting on the old 115 and two tubes?

margaritaman wrote:

spurhunter wrote:
Speed: Very disappointed that it didn't give me anything, not only that, it actually cut 2.5-3 MPH off my speed. But I think with a full load of people, the way it rides in the front it will actually even out.
quote]

Your speed slowed down from the additional weight of that third log. Under skin and lifting strakes would add to your speed even with a 90 if it could push you past 15 mph.

What speed were you getting on the old 115 and two tubes?

Never had a 115 on it, but prior to the thrid log, I got 23.8mph

margaritaman wrote:

spurhunter wrote:
Speed: Very disappointed that it didn't give me anything, not only that, it actually cut 2.5-3 MPH off my speed. But I think with a full load of people, the way it rides in the front it will actually even out.
quote]

Your speed slowed down from the additional weight of that third log. Under skin and lifting strakes would add to your speed even with a 90 if it could push you past 15 mph.

What speed were you getting on the old 115 and two tubes?

Margaritaman, so you think if he had strakes on his boat the 90 will make him plain out? Is 15mph the magic number to plain in a straked toon? I called Matt (texaspontoon) the other day and he said that my boat would probley plain if I had strakes as long as I could do 15mph!

Another thing to factor in is that if the prop is sitting substantially lowere from the front being raised it will also affect speed. Try raising your motor a hole or two.

Actually, I had to lower the motor after log installation due to the extra turbulence created by the short log to get a good bite again. I'm already using a 4 blade prop, which is better than a three in this application, (I tried my spare as well)

Im running 3 U tubes all the same diameter. My center tube is just short of the outers by about 6" but hangs out the back nearly 12" I sit about 5" lower in the rear with a full tank and nobody on the boat. I think having the center tube forward of the transom may be causing some of your issues with speed, also I dont think having the center tube lower would cause any major loss of speed. I noticed a huge increase in speed when I went from a 3 to a 4 blade. Get that other prop on and let us know the results, before you move the center tube.