There are quite a few variables in play when considering optimal engine height on the transom. A simple eye test will typically be all it takes to know if you're in good shape here. If it's too high, the propeller tends to ventilate, losing its bite on the water and blowing out while turning and in steep seas.
Sometimes, when re-powering with the same model motor, you can determine the best height for your outboard before you take off the old one, assuming the old engine is still running well, says Corbisier. Please note that loose clamp screws could allow the outboard motor to fall off or move on the transom. The height of your outboard motor is a significant consideration when setting up your boat. How Low Should a Motor Set on a Pontoon Boat? (Explained) –. It's to ensure that the anti-ventilation plate is situated below the water surface. Best practices always win, making the standard mounting practice the most ideal, especially for new boaters.
Here we look at the effects of standard, lower and higher mounting. As I said in the intro, the motor size is the first of many factors that may directly affect your pontoon's speed. Some bay boats and flats skiffs also have jack plates to facilitate adjustments in outboard motor height. Meaning, you could trim the engine at a certain speed, and the ride could feel different if any of these factors are different from the last time you trimmed in this manner. There's no need for further discussion. "Each element influences the other. The impact of water waves is much milder. If your budget allows, consider 27-inch tubes. This is when the propeller intermittently pulls out of the water when underway, hurting your boating or fishing experience. Correct outboard mounting height for pontoon boat seat. The outboard length is critical to the overall pontoon performance. What You Should Know About Higher Mounting. If you desire your pontoon to perform optimally, the transom motor height should be a critical consideration. If re-powering, insist on all new bolts, washers and nuts, as the old hardware may have corroded, stretched or fatigued during the time you ran your old engine.
Tell the dealer about how many people will often ride on board. But some boaters would want to break the limits. That piece that the engine is mounted to. The minimum motor size for a 25′ pontoon boat is 150 HP, but it's not a bad idea to go for 200 or 225.
Getting tubes with built-in lifting strakes (if you don't know what lifting strakes are, read our article, here) can allow you to enjoy the full potential of your outboard motor. When the mounting height is too high, cavitation may occur, which may lead to speed slowdown, energy waste, and propeller damage. These tips are with regards to speed. The Mercury Verado's propeller's distance from the boat bottom is about 6 inches further aft when measured against the propeller distance for the Mercury OptiMax. The mounting height of the outboard engine is the equivalent of the distance between the base of the motor and the top of the propeller. Correct outboard mounting height for pontoon boat club. For instance, rivers and coasts will require more robust motors when compared to lakes and impoundments. It comes either in the form of a fixed shaft or a spring-loaded one to help absorb the shock from the road.