Third log installed, still have work to do.

[margaritaman]

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!

The toons with strake usually starts to plane between 15 - 20 mph. Maybe members here with strakes can verify this.

[spurhunter]

I hope that is accurate as I had heard it was closer to the 25-30 MPH mark.

[spurhunter]

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.

I was running my 3-blade when I did the initial test run, as my 4-blade was being repaired at the time. I could not get a bite with the 3-blade, the 4 made a huge difference.

[JonCBrand]

When I went to a 14.5x17 4 blade it was an incredible change.

[Liquid Asset]

After my 115 melted down and I had to put my 50 back on to finish the summer I switched to a 4 blade prop. I will bebrunning another again this summer when I get my yamaha on it. I can tell you that my boat with strakes gained roughly 2mph. There are so many different styles of strakes so it's hard to say how much it changes. The biggest change for me was the fact the boat got out of the water faster. My little tri toon with a 50 and 4 blade prop will get out of the water with just me on the boat and run just over 17 mph. gps. It kind of funny but to say but I have run my boat before and after strakes with a 50 merc. and a 115 merc. just not in an order I ever planned on ! When I added my third log I set it up like a v toon and used their style of strakes when I added those. For what it is my boat handles great. The main reason for adding another log was just to increase capacity so I didn't know what to expect out of my set up. I can't beleive your not running faster with a 90. If the spacing between the log and transom isn't correct you'll be hitting a wave with a your motor slowing the boat. I am not sure to correct spacing but I know it's critical with out a transom log. The weight isn't a issue as that log only weights 80 or so pounds. The under skin will help a bit but not until you pick up some speed. With some set up changes I know you can gain speep What rpm range are you in with the 4 blade prop? Can us raise the motor again now that your running a 4 blade prop? Just thinking of a few things I might do, I know you can improve your ride !

, shaun

[spurhunter]

I could raise the motor, but that will make the bite worse, just too much turbulence.

I did make an alteration that gave me an additional 1 mph, I know that aint much, but every one helps.
Late last summer, Gfretwell hooked me up with some material he had laying around. Its designed for wrapping pilings in saltwater. Its kinda thin, but pretty tough stuff. I used a portion to underskin the back section just past the third log on either side of the transome, even before the log this section took a beating by water and stayed pretty damp.
I'm excited to get the rest of the boat done now, , my only real issue is how to put it in, then install my under-deck ladder.....Hmmm

[spurhunter]

Thought I posted this, but guess I didnt!

Gretwell was kind enough to hook me up with some material used for wrapping pilings in salt water. Tough, yet thin enough to work with.

I applied it to the area just behind the end of the third log and surrounding the transom. It ended up giving me an additional 1 mph so far, I'm looking forward to finishing the rest in the same to see what happens. My only hold up right now is how to mount my under-deck ladder after installing the underskinning? Hmmm.

[curtiscapk]

I need to do something like this too I think...

[Shameful1]

spurhunter,

How was that piling wrap to work with? I am thinking about ordering some not sure if I should order the 30 mil or go with the 60 mil. what was your experience with what you worked with?

Thanks, Steve

[spurhunter]

I was a piece of cake. I am not sure what thickness this is, but it would not hurt to go with the thicker size for sure.