A few questions lol......

sssports

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
35
Hi everyone,

Been here a couple of times asked questions and received some awesome help, been reading it again today and well.....the questions asked made me think of some more questions I have being that I am a newbie boat owner.

So here we go.....

How does one determine the proper pitch of prop for a boat motor combination, is there a starting formula ? I have a 16' Lowe river Jon 6'10" across the gunwales at the back in the widest part. I went to the Lowe site and comparible current boats they make put it in the 400 to 450 lb. range for the boat only. I have a couple of heavy 7/8 plywood casting decks on it two 6 gal fuel tanks a deep cycle marine battery and a console. So I figure rough estimate it adds about another 250 lbs to the boat less the motor weight. The engine is a Johnson 70 VRO 1988 vintage, and also discovered at the Lowe site that this boat is only rated for 35 hp.

Firstly am I going to get in deep do-do with water patrol haveing the 70 hp on this boat ? I bought it with this motor already on it and knowing nothing about boats didn't realize that it was way over motored if you will. Also the previous owner had the cutout on the stern filled in with aluminum up to the height of the surrounding transom, welded in and braced, very nice job of welding (I am a certified welder). But still it is a user modified addition not factory. The boat is a rivited design not the fully welded design that Lowe makes which is rated to 85 hp. It is also quite old a 1976 model.

So now I am wondering if I will even be able to license it, or if no hitches there, if I will be ticketed if I get stopped on the water ?

Anyway back to the pitch question.....at this weight level, and this HP of motor, what would be the proper pitch ? It currently has a 19 pitch three blade prop.

It starts and runs good, (in a barrel anyway) I haven't checked things like the compression as I have no compression checker. The electric choke works fine. The VRO has been taken off the engine and I was told to run it at 50:1 is this the correct oil gas ratio ?

I sure wish I had known enough about boats to know that this motor was way to big for this boats rating before I bought it. I just assumed it was modified because the Johnson 70 was a long shaft.

Thanks for all the great help this forum provides !

Marty
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: A few questions lol......

5Hp over would get you a ticket. Double the horsepower gets you in deep schidt, ticket or not.

Having said that, I'm betting it was originally a bare-bones model made for a short shaft tiller motor. They always have lower horsepower ratings than the same long shaft models with steering consoles. You'd have to do a bit of research about that, but i still doubt the rating would double.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: A few questions lol......

The engine is a Johnson 70 VRO 1988 vintage, and also discovered at the Lowe site that this boat is only rated for 35 hp.
Not good.

Firstly am I going to get in deep do-do with water patrol haveing the 70 hp on this boat?

Probably. Not to mention your insurance company just disowned you.

You can probably register it but an on water inspection may net you some trouble.


50:1 is this the correct oil gas ratio ?


That is correct. Use TCW-3 rated oil-only. 87 octane is fine and recommended.

The 19" prop is probably a good place to start on such a light boat. However, without a tachometer, you're guessing. The engine should be able to turn 5800 at wide open.
 

sssports

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 11, 2006
Messages
35
Re: A few questions lol......

Suspreme Mariner,

That insurance statment surprises me, as I already went to my insurance agent (allstate) and they told me that no insurance was necessary on a boat. As far as coverage while towing it to and from, my truck insurance would cover it completely if it were to come loose. But that I did not need nor was it required to have boat insurance for the water.

Is this correct, or am I getting more bad info ?

I am really steamed about this motor/rating thing. And yes I am sure I can get titles and licenses for the boat motor and trailer, as all the license office cares about is getting their precious tax dollars, not if it is actually usable or not.

Marty
 

freddyray21

Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2006
Messages
2,460
Re: A few questions lol......

I doubt there is a requirement to obtain insurance on your boat and yes more than likely if something happens when it is
attached to the car your auto insurance will cover it. However, for many years we were not required by law to have auto insurance, but it's foolish to do so. Say you are docking and for whatever reason damage a dock or another boat. You are liable and your auto policy won't cover that. Further if you do insure the boat for liability and they find you have twice the horsepower it is rated for they will run away from a claim like a scalded dog. 5hp over is one thing but double is too much.
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: A few questions lol......

Can't in the best of light suggest you even take it off the trailer.The problem is IF you are in an accident,not even your fault,they still will go after everything you have.Bank accounts,vehicles,house,maybe your first born.They could it for 5hp over and will do it for 35hp over.

I'd play it safe.If the boat fits you,sell the motor.If you want a bigger boat,check out the motor,then find a boat it fits.

DHP
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: A few questions lol......

While you consider the insurance situation you might consider a new agent as well. He gave you very poor advice. "Coming Loose" is only one issue. Theft is another. If the boat is in your yard and stolen, chances are your homeowners policy will cover it but check your policy as most have a horsepower/size limits. Riders are available. If the boat parked out of your yard for example and stolen, you are out of luck. Stolen from your tow vehicle would also require that you check your auto policy. As for becoming detached, If that happens you likely have an immediate liability issue regardless what the detached rig hits. Lets just hope its not a person. That is very different than having an accident with the boat attached. In that case the auto policy will cover the boat regardless whether it was your fault or the other party. Once the boat is off the trailer and in the water you are in no-mans land. Consider the consequences should you hit another boat or worse, someone in your boat is injured, or you hit a water skier, swimmer, or diver. In this society where people sue for the slightest of reasons, it is simply financial suicide to operate an uninsured boat. The "overpower" issue is an "I gotcha" whether you are insured or not, or whether its your fault or not. You overpowered the boat and by doing so created a safety hazard -- at least in the eyes of a jury. Guess what -- you lose again. Weigh the risk.
 
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