First Test Drive - What to look for?

[Mike2Simpson]

I’m in the process of buying my first pontoon boat.
After a long while of looking, I’m optimistic about a 22’ Voyager Tritoon that I am test driving tomorrow.
Since this would be my first pontoon boat, I am wondering what I should be looking for and asking about during the test.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

Thanks!

- Mike Simpson

[RcgTexas]

How it sits in the water stopped,

How well it makes tight turns at high speed.

Check splash where motor touches water on plane, too much and it may need to be raised, cavitation and it may need to be lowered.

RPM and speed at WOT.

Does depth finder operate correctly when the boat is on plane.

Lots of stuff can be adjusted and may not be indication of a "bad" boat but these are some things I would look for. Sure there are others but I'm done.

Hope this helps!

[Mike2Simpson]

Thanks rcgtexas!
Check all of those things and we're good turns sharp with little tilt. Boats planes out well. And the RPM's stay between 3500 and 4500 at 23 to 26 MPH. Only thing we found was a few loose screws that need tighening and a touchy hydronic steering system. But after fixing those, I pulled the trigger and I'm now the proud owner of a pontoon boat

Next up is minor upgrades and restoration.

Thanks again!

[curtiscapk]

congrats and welcome! what motor is it? That seems like kind of low rpm's. You may need to reprop as well. Where are the pics!

[RcgTexas]

Yes, the rpms sound low for WOT. Depending on motor they should be 5k to 6k if prop is right, but that is something you can look at down the line.

glad it worked out for you and that I helped!

[Mike2Simpson]

It's got a 3.0 Mercury inboard-outboard with 70 hrs (about 135hp). Impeller is a stainless steel, 4 blade. Engine runs really smooth. Though it's good to know about the RPM's. Might have to look into that.

Pictures coming soon.

Thanks!

[RcgTexas]

OK I was assuming it was an outboard! Not sure about an I/O rpms someone may come up that is familiar with an I/O.

[katieclooney]

I love this thread as I have no clue what to check when i am going on my test drive.

I am getting the 50hp Mercury BigFoot motor.

What kind of RPMs on WOT should i be looking for?
When you say "sitting too low" in water what do you mean? I assume the head of the motor should be above water.
And what is caviation?

[RcgTexas]

I love this thread as I have no clue what to check when i am going on my test drive.

I am getting the 50hp Mercury BigFoot motor.

What kind of RPMs on WOT should i be looking for?
When you say "sitting too low" in water what do you mean? I assume the head of the motor should be above water.
And what is caviation?

Katie yes the motor's "head" should be above the water ! a bunch!
My concern is "pitch" (Bow to stern) with the stern sitting too low in the water. Caused by too heavy a motor for the boat its mounted on, or there is water in the toon logs

Cavitation is what occurs when your propeller is catching air when it shouldn't. the engine rpm will fluctuate and performance will be down. It usually occurs when the trim is to high or the motor is mounted to high on the transom. Which puts the cavitation plate to close to the water surface.

Hope this is of some help!

[GXPWeasel]

Cavitation is what occurs when your propeller is catching air when it shouldn't. the engine rpm will fluctuate and performance will be down. It usually occurs when the trim is to high or the motor is mounted to high on the transom. Which puts the cavitation plate to close to the water surface.

Hope this is of some help!

Kind of like when you take off in your car, and you spin the tires. The prop is spinning or slipping in the water, and not actually "propelling" you as much as it should be.

There are several ways to fix this, depending on your actual boat.

[katieclooney]

If the prop is in the water it can get too much air?

[Waterlogged]

Yep, if it is too close to the surface or worse breaks the surface it will ventilate (suck air into the water and no longer get a solid bite) and spin without providing drive.

Glenn

[Bamaman]

Getting back to the I-4 Mercruiser: 4500 rpm's is about the redline for that engine. You should have a fuel miser with that engine.

Only issue is to make sure it's properly winterized in the Fall, including draining the water out of the block. Other than freezing problems, that engine will last virtually forever.