Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

OK ya'll....finally got a nice day to take our, new to us, Sweetwater!! Everything went great.....well mostly... Ran great, ran smooth, top speed was 35 by GPS. 5600 RPM's .. ran for 3 hours and barely used any gas. Had a bit of an issue upon loading. Made the bad decision to trust someone who can't tell the difference in 2 inches and 2 feet. Came down on my "new" rear guide post and bent that sucker to about 30 degrees ofr plumb..errr.... Anybody know how to bend those suckers back? On well...no damage to the log. Think I might have some water in one log...but that's for another post. Thanks to all that helped me get back on the water!!!
Sami.....

geez! How fast were you going when you hit the guide? I had a good one end of season last year. Nailed the end of guide dead on with the nose cone of the toon. It was a one in a million.

What makes you think you have water in the toon?

One of those "freak" things. Was a bit "crooked" going on the trailer. The guide (rear right) was under-water and the log just came down on it. Caught at that groove where the strake meets the pontoon and just "crushed" it, laying it over. That steel is stout !!!
As far as water in the log, heard it twice as the bow of the boat, on the trailer, tilted down. It was either water in the log OR echo of the fuel in the tank. Couldn't really tell, it's any, must be a small amount. Previous owner kept the boat in the water MOST of the time. Dealer that took it on trade did a decent job of cleaning it up, but you can tell from places he missed it was dirty.
Just looking for an easy check for H2o possible in the log. And if so, how to get it out !! Guess I could always just drill a hole and let it drain......NOT !!
Thanks for all the help. It is sincerely appreciated !!
Sami

What prop are you running to get that rpm and speed?

Prop is "Ballistic" stainless 13 1/2 x 17. Took it to my prop shop and had it "gone over". They took some of the "cup" out of it, and a lost a few MPH. However, does not cavitate or blow out as much. I'll settle for 35 mph top-end. Feels like a good match

One of our river ramps is just below a damn, of course they opened it last year on one of my 1st times out with new toon. I think the speedo read 10mph as I ran it up the trailer. We all have our moments.

That is a nice speed. I have a similar set up as you. I have a Southbay 520cr with a etec 115ho. With my wife and I we get 31 mph gps at 5400 rpm with a 13.75 x 15 aluminum prop. Im good with the speed but I would like to get the rpms up to @5800. I tried a 13.75 x 13 and got the rpms up but I lost @5mph. Am considering a ss prop maybe 13 3/8 x 15 or getting my 13.75 x 15 prop to a shop and see what they can do.

Yikes... I always make sure my rear guides are about 2" out of water, just for that reason. I have always feared coming down on one of them with the pontoon. When they are exposed, makes it nearly impossible

Oh yeah.... I took my "bent" guide up to a local muffler shop, and they laughed about not being able to bend square exhaust pipes with their equipment. Well I told the gentleman he couldn't screw it up any worse than it was, so he gave it a shot. About 12 seconds later, perfect 90 degree guide, and he know knows he can bend "square" pipe. Cost me zip. Like a said, a good chuckle and a real classy gentleman.
Now I am going to extend the PVC up as far as I can get it so I can freaking see it. Don't want to come down on a guide again, got lucky this time. Will keep ya'll posted.....loving being back on a 'toon again...
Thanks,
Sami

The first time I took mine out, I hit the tail light on the trailer with a toon (thanks wife!). She didn't really know how to guide me on and I ended up way off. Same way with other....things. Just have to guide myself in

Anyway, what kind of speed are you getting with that 115 on the sweetwater 2286? Do you have a third toon on your boat?

Mine is a "bi-toon". Getting 35mph on gps at WOT with 2 adults, full fuel, two batteries and gear. During test ride, did top out at 38-39 gps, but I did have some prop work done. Took the cups out and removed all the cavitation. Happy so far and just waiting to get back out !!
Sami

PS..I too can blame my wife... she doesn't know the difference between two inches and two feet.......

Trailer guides would work so much better if they were adjustable--lower in front and higher in back. That would make'em parallel to the water level and set right at the water line. There again, different ramps have different angles.

In my boathouse, my boat sits on a rack with guides on the outside of my toons that are higher in the rear. They're parallel with the water and work very well. They also flare out at the rear which allows the boat to center itself when I come in.

Yep..gotta make it right for me. Like I said, gonna put taller PVC on the rear guides and at least get them up where I can see some of them. Lights caps may help, but in a bright day, may be a "wash". LOL, even thought about tying a tennis ball and let it float. I's sure there all some smart rigs out there that will come up !!!
Sami

Hey Sammi,
Having dropped my 5000lb boat in a similar manner, I finally went to full length horizontal guides. They work great. Your idea of extending rear guides sounds good, but you will want to make sure that they aren't so tall that they poke into your decking or underskin.

As far as water in the tubes? Been there as well. Easiest (possibly only) way to check is partway up the ramp, or on nearest hill. With boat tipped back a bit, pull rear plug. Sux, but it does give a guy a clue.

Todd

SamiGuy wrote:... I too can blame my wife... she doesn't know the difference between two inches and two feet.......

Yes they do as if otherwise they would all be quite satisfied....