Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Do you cruise with the front gate open? or closed? we cruise with it closed and I was wondering if it being closed causes very much wind resistance? I'm talking for boats running 18mph and higher.
Anyone ever done any tests?

I have to keep mine closed (2 small children) but I don't think you'd see any measurable difference at that speed. I am sure all of the HP is being used to push the tubes through the water and the small air turbulence at the rail makes no difference.

-ron

Yes, unless we have our grandchildren with us or have passengers in the very front of the bow. Love the sight of the water running right in front of the bow. The passengers riding in the back of the bow notice a big difference in the breeze in the hot summer, we can feel a little more in the cockpit. If the waters rough, or there is a chance of submarining a wave, like in the Ozarks, it will be shut. But generally, on the river, in the summer, its open most of the time. In the fall, I'ld close it on the Manitou, just to cut down on the breeze. But with the dual windshields and middle enclosure on the Premier, I may leave it open if no passengers are up front.

Ron, I gained 20 mph with it open!


I know that towing it on the highway, with it open makes a noticeable difference, but on the water, speed wise? I'll have to GPS it to find out! I'll be out tomorrow and let ya know!

Bryden24shp wrote:Ron, I gained 20 mph with it open!

That would double my top end, now I may have to go try it!
-ron

We leave our gate open to get more breeze back through the boat (also helps dry the carpet a bit). When we have our big lab with us, we had been stringing a rope back and forth to keep him from trying to wander out on the front of the boat while we are under way.

I'm going to solve this problem with a piece of green plastic garden fence I have -- it has holes in it. I picked up few snap bases that will screw into the gate frame. Then I'll attach the other part of the snaps to the plastic garden fencing. This way we will get air back through the boat (the lab loves the feel of the air) - but it will keep him from being able to get out on the bow.

I'll take pics next week of this setup -- will be spending 9 days motorboat'in on Eufaula.

Usually keep it closed, habit so when the grand kids or dogs are with us no one forgets. From the helm I'm looking over it anyway.

You would not do this on the Mississppi or the Illinois. You'd have a bunch of asian carp getting all flappy, slimy, bloody, up close & personal.

I had a mullet jump onto the boat once and I had a hard time getting it away from Mr Ed.

No Asian carp in our part of the Mississippi, yet. Thank God! My step son helps the Illinios DNR monitor the Illinois River. He was in Chicago a months ago. Its crazy how thick they are! I'm sure some day they will invading us in Pool 14! Then, the gate will be closed and a safety net strung!

GPS'd both open and closed. At 3000 RPM's no difference. 4000, no difference. 5000, .3 mph and .2 MPG gain in instant fuel econony. WOT 6200, .5 mph and .3 MPG gain in instant fuel economy,with the gate open. We did it 9 or 10 times and it came out pretty much the same, every time, both up and down stream, with the wind. A little better with it open, against the wind, goind downstream with the current.

Not sure if it was worth the fuel we used doing it. But hey, at least now I know.

Now, someone else can test having the rear gate open, in reverse!

I leave mine open. It gives me more view out the front when sitting.

Yep the guy on tv did a test leaving the tail gate down on a truck vs up. Not much change as I remember.
doc

We always leave ours closed, and damn glad we do. Earlier this year, I was pulling up to the dock to drop off momma to go get the truck. Well when my little girls see's momma going forward, she want's to go too. I yelled "Tenley, Sit DOWN NOW" but it wasn't quick enough, and I had to hit reverse to prevent from hitting the dock. Guess what? Tenley went head first, right into the front gate. Sure she was crying, more from being scared I think, but if the gate was open, Lord only knows where she'd have gone. Maybe right off the bow, and under the boat. A parent's worst nightmare.

We ALWAYS leave ours closed. 99.9% of the time, we have children on our boat, so it's worth keeping in the habit of keeping all gates closed while underway.

Greg's Back!!! Damn close call!!! OUrs is always closed and blocked with a cooler usually damn little dog

GregF wrote:I had a mullet jump onto the boat once and I had a hard time getting it away from Mr Ed.

Dogs love mullet.