I found a good deal and had to do it. When the boat is in Texas they really get use. I probably will only use them to anchor the boat at the boat launch. When in Minnesota I will use them all the time as we fish in shallow weeds a lot. Texas lakes are deep and I use spot lock instead. I'm excited for the new driving challenge this year learning how to drive the boat with the lightning rods hanging off the back.
I think they turned out well. I have to thank Jay for all his help and his garage and in general his friendship. Great guy and always around when I need help.
Install was quick for the most part. Needed two hardware store runs for bolts and unibits. The gland on the back of the boat wasn’t big enough to hold all 4 hoses so we had to drill the back of the boat. Jay had to look away for this part…… He was on deck for power poles until I started drilling.
Lake testing
I have changed a lot in the last few months, so changes make comparison testing a little complicated. That and the boat is almost a 1000 miles away add a little bit of difficulty to comfort level when driving. In addition, my trim sender went bad again (2nd time in a year) so I have to count in my head seconds to the correct trim levels. Speeds and times have been a little off as a result. I installed a new sender before testing the poles. So I have to build up trust in it again. It’s not good when you find out they are bad while making high speed passes. High speed I’m by feel, but 5-85 no time exists to feel your way.
5-85
I tried the P3 28 and didn’t get to test my P4 32. I ran my 28Et the day before install, but accidently ran with a full live well, so the times were off. I also ran my newly worked Promax, but didn’t run either the following day after the poles. I had the 28ET on to test, but pre-run bolt checking, after running the P3, found that my version of the Bailey planner under the jack plate had come loose and I needed to run to my storage building to get tools to pull it. When I got back Jay was at the launch, and with limited time we put on the big wheels for top speed testing.
Overall the 28 P3 seemed to not be impacted by the poles from 5-85. Times were within my averages. Not my best run, but consistent with my typical numbers. Since I pulled my wedges to install the Power Pole brackets and I had to pull the Bailey style planner from under the jack plate the 32 P4 sucked out of the hole so I didn’t run times on it to compare how a big wheel may suffer with poles. (FYI, I have only found the Bailey style planner to work well with very tall wheels. 30p and under no major improvement.)
Bottom line, I have not seen a decrease in performance from 5-85 with the poles. I have several other props to test, just didn't have time.
Top Speed
As usual we had wind to contend with. We had one section of clean water that was long enough to get the boats up to speed before getting into the wind zone and white caps. Unfortunately by the time we were up to speed we cleared the point and the wind hit us. Top speed testing was held to quick dashes. When the boats got squirrely and loose in the rear we had to get off. If I was alone I would have thought it was the poles, but Jay had the same problem. Both of us had some wild rides over 90. Since the P4 holeshot was so bad I had to circle around and get it on plane, make at turn at 40 and then get on it. By the time I hit 90 I was too far out and in the wind. 93 is the best I could do. I love the P4, but 1.62’s require a little over ½ mile to get into the 97/98 range. We swapped the 32 ET on to my boat and the holeshot was quicker as well as the mid-range. I ended up running 96 with it. It’s a new prop to me, so I’m not sure what the top end without the poles.
For a first run with the poles I was left impressed. I don’t think I will lose much top end with them. I only ran the 32 ET at neutral trim and it was building speed when I got off the gas, so I’m sure more exists. I also got to run in wind, and I don't think they pushed the boat around at all in my normal speed range.
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Originally Posted by Ram2012
