Thread: Improvements??

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  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    St. Amant, Louisiana
    Posts
    91

    Improvements??

    Would underpinning or under skinning help anything on my pontoon?

    18' sun tracker, bass buggy, Mercury 60 HP CT,

    19 mph at 5900 rpm's

    The front of pontoons are never out of water, even when trimmed up.

    Is there anything I can do or is my Horse Power at its limit?

    Thanks

  2. Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Central
    Posts
    125
    #2
    Even my 20' SunChaser with 50 Yam will slightly lift the front but only run 17mph...fully loaded. Buddy just bought the BT 18' Fishing rig with I think the 70hp Merc 4 stroke...says it runs 25mph. Unless U R loaded waaaaay heavy in the front....something is wrong.

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Odessa
    Posts
    10
    #3
    Underskinning will help, especially in the chop.

    A pontoon waterglide is another step to consider.

    Weight is your enemy, especially towards the Bow.

    Large diameter and / or big eared props are your friend.

    We started with a 40 horse on a 16 footer and ended up at a 250 on a 23 foot tri-toon. Lots of fun and learning along the way!

  4. Banned
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Muscle Shoals, Alabama-Wilson Lake
    Posts
    10,043
    #4
    If your boat was longer and had more.horsepower, skin it. But I would just leave well enough.alone on an 18 footer.

    My 24' Bennington has under deck underpinning and it is quiet and smooth. There again I have lifting strakes and a F150 good for 40 mph.

  5. Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    St. Amant, Louisiana
    Posts
    91
    #5
    Thanks Guys