Recent content by PartyBarge

I checked my owners manual (dated 2003) and it shows a control box that is not like one one installed in our pontoon. The manual shows that box has both the neutral interlock and start defeat if not in neutral. (Along with the usual stop lanyard that kills ignition, but not the starter) Our...

"That's crazy....I could never let anyone near my boat if that was my configuration...." Ha, too late...there's millions of Yamahas just like that out there! Again, just for FYI, maybe more people with the various versions should CAREFULLY test it...you know just for emphasized edification.

FYI: Not only does our 2004 90hp not have the shift interlock, but the motor can be started when not in neutral, gears disengaged...just sayin', ya al' be careful out there.

There have been some inventive souls that made knockoffs to use as pumps or air screws. The ones I've seen have not been worth the effort, but they sure look weird on a model airplane. Ducted fans do have very useful qualities. The Sharrow design does seem a bit like a prop that carries it's own...

Yup, numerous on-target comment above. The early claims for the design were, let's say, notoriously flawed. More recent test are much more carefully run in selected applications (both equipment and use). Gains in those seem to be real and useful. I would expect that the association with Yamaha...

It will be an interesting year for boat sales. The boat yards here are overflowing with new inventory. In the past few years, moving them was no problem. Not so sure about how many people can handle the current pricing and interest rates....?

Although many pontoons have a drag profile similar to a typical center console, the payback for most pontoon usage is vanishingly small. There simply is no way to make the numbers make sense for the vast majority of pontoon ops. That's why you won't find much about those props here.

Yup, dealer lots here are overflowing with unsold inventory. They are also using off-site lots for what is clearly not just winter storage.

Ha! First I've heard of this for a pontoon. The action is commonly referred to a "beer canning". For airplanes it can happen as the pressurization deferential changes with altitude and can indicate some portion of the of the skin/frame has an attachment issue. That said, it can also be caused by...

I use a couple of stiff-bristle polypropylene brushes, one short handle and one that is broom-style with a long handle. When we are beached at some island, no float/preserver is needed and it's easy to get enough force to clean off any growth (including the bottom of the tubes).

Our power boat trailer had two tires with belt failures with the trailer just sitting empty! Discovered they barely had a rating high enough for the rig as it would normally be towed. Made sure to replace them with way better rated tires.

Did the mechinik check the fuel/water separator for water or contaminated fuel? I've seen water there allow the motor to run at reduced power, but restrict flow not allowing full power. Old or stratified (water contaminated) fuel could be a problem.

You may be reducing slip with lower trim, but also consider that deck angle for minimum drag matters. At those modest speeds drag is generally going to increase with deck angle (think plowing). The amount of trim needed for best fuel economy is going to vary with load distribution too. As you...

+1 If the numbers you provided are close, you were getting very good performance (almost too good for the size and weight of your pontoon, maybe 25 MPH with a 25' RL package and 90 HP?). Expect performance to fall rapidly with added weight. For that combo, the best option is to run a pontoon...

We run the Quicksilver version of the same prop you have. They typically have lower slip than most other designs. Don't know what gear ratio your motor has, but we get more RPM (~5400 depending on load) and lower speed (~23 with moderate load). Our RL model is relatively heavy and only has 23"...