11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Do you have a photo of your seating arrangement? How do you steer the boat with two adults in the stern?

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

My avitar gives a non-detailed photo. EDIT. I zoomed the view on the brouser and discovered the avitar photo is actually with both a single AND double seat. I'm at work now, bit I'lll see if I can find a photo and post it tonight. I simply hang my left arm behind the seat and stear normally. You could place the seat as close or as far from the transom as you like. Full lock turning in reverse causes a stretch, but full lock forward is never needed. I placed it forward some to make it ride better, but not so far forward so I need an extension to control the motor. In a pinch I have closed my seat, and straddled it, which made low speed manuevering easy.

I liked both single and double seats, but I had to circle a bit to get it to plane. I could have simply gone with a lower pitch prop, but using the one double seat worked so well I didn't bother. It was also noticibly heaver and harder to pull out of the water with the transom wheels with both seats.

I use my boat while camping. It really broadens the camping experience. It does a good job on the ICW.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

I ordered a set of wheels also, how are they working for you?

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Great. I can hook it to my roof rack and tow SHORT distances at SLOW (walking) speeds. Keeps me from having to leave the boat in the water when I don't have a waterfront site.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

So are you keeping yours on a trailer or rolling it up between uses? The main reason I didn't buy a glass/aluminum boat is that I didn't want (or have space or a proper vehicle for) a trailer. So I'm hoping the wheels will make it a bit easier to get the boat around by hand.

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

So are you keeping yours on a trailer or rolling it up between uses? The main reason I didn't buy a glass/aluminum boat is that I didn't want (or have space or a proper vehicle for) a trailer. So I'm hoping the wheels will make it a bit easier to get the boat around by hand.

I only use it on vacation. It lives rolled up in the back of my travel trailer.

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Here is a picture with both seats. Looks a little crowded.

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Here is one with both seats and the 75 Evinrude 25hp that was killed with ethanol on that trip. I drove over to Pass-a-Grill Marina in Clearwater Beach and bought the Yamaha. A little less power, but runs a LOT better.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Nice photos, thanks for posting them. I've spent my entire budget already, but when I get some more $$ I can see already that those seats will be on my list of "must haves". Re: ethanol, the Evinrude's previous owner already warned me about using it. Fortunately, there's a gas station a mile from where I live that sells ethanol free gas.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

@jspringator - Where did you mount your wheels? I just got the boat and wheel kit and it looks like the best spot to mount them is directly on top of the VID and Capacity plates. What did you do on your boat to get around that?

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

@jspringator - Where did you mount your wheels? I just got the boat and wheel kit and it looks like the best spot to mount them is directly on top of the VID and Capacity plates. What did you do on your boat to get around that?

I didn't. I mounted tham on top of the plates. I think I drilled a hole through one of them. I'd take a picture of it before you cover it or drill it. Make sure you have your MCO and it has the right numbers on it.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Hmm... I think I better try to relocate the plates before doing something that drastic. It looks like I might be able to drill out the nail heads and pull the plates.

Update: In case someone else runs into this situation, here's what I learned. Both the VID and capacity plates are mounted with two sided tape and 4 thin brass brads. I first tried to drill out one of the brads as they seemed pretty well set, but that didn't work as well as using a very thin, sharp scraper to pry them up a 1/16" then pulled them with vice grips. It didn't go as perfectly as I had hoped, but when I re-mount them I'll clean them up a bit.

The other thing I learned is that the mounting bolts that come with the wheels are too long for the Saturn's transom and I'll be replacing them with shorter ones and bigger washers.

Lastly, the electric pump doesn't come with a proper fitting for the Saturn's inflation fittings. I see now that it's an additional option (argh!) so I'll probably pick one up next.

 

[jspringator]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

A guy at West Marine made me an adapter hose. Did you get a Bravo Pump? I wish I had bought the one with a built in battery.

I was installing this stuff in Florida at a campground 600 miles from home with the limited tool set in my trailer. I was in a hurry to get on the water, so I went on and put them on. I sealed them with 3m 4200, and cut the extra bolt length off with a dremel.

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

The problem with the bolts that came with the wheels is that the shoulder is too long, so I'd either have to add extra washers or buy shorter bolts. I went with shorter bolts (they are M6 metric). I looked at your photos and it looks like we both mounted them in almost exactly the same spot.

I looked at the registration lettering kits at West Marine and the paint looked old and dried out, so I scrapped that idea and bought a set of black letters and 1/8" PVC sheet at the hardware store. Total cost was about $12.

The boat is ready to go and we plan on taking it on its maiden cruise this morning. Yippee!

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: 11' + 6 Hp = Ok?

Took the boat out for it's maiden run... sweet! The 15 hp is definitely more than I'll ever need. I never got it over 1/4 throttle and she popped up on a plane easy peasy. We cruised for about 3 hours, mostly in no wake zones so the going was pretty slow, and barely used a 1/4 of a tank (1.5 gals approx.).

A couple more bits about the Saturn 12' + Mercury 15 hp:

The transom isn't thick enough for the motor to mount properly. Luckily it didn't go anywhere, but I'll need to add another 1/4" somewhere to get it to mount properly. Any suggestions?

I found the seating to be very uncomfortable. I'm definitely going to spring for some proper seats when I get the $$. I rather like the idea of putting a frame on top of the tubes like on the river rafts, but they're pretty pricey. Any cheaper alternatives?