Newbie Introduction

red october

Cadet
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
7
Hi everybody, (Hi doctor nick:D). Just thought I would post a quick introduction of myself, Most forums have this in a seperate section.

I'm new to posting on this forum and new to boating, I have recently bought a pride ( australian ) runabout 3.8m / 12ish ft. It came with a johnson 25, I have recently upgraded to a Tohatsu 40 2cyl 2 stroke. So far it has been a ball, especially since there is no speed limits / camera's on the water.

If anyone has any advice or tips on boating or my current vessell, more specificaly on how to go faster :) It would be greatly appreciated.

So far this site has greatly helped me overcome a few problems I had, Many thanks.

Hope this is not an inapropriate place for this post.

I will be posting a question in the engine threads shortly.

P.S. can't believe this user name wasn't taken, pitty Nautilus was though:)
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome to iBoats. If you haven't taken a boating safety course it is highly advised. Even if there are no limits or even patrols where you boat. Just because if you encounter another boat; at least one of will know the right thing to do.

How about a picture of your boat?

If you add your location to your profile it will help in answering questions, as some info can be different for different areas.
 

RogersJetboat454

Commander
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
2,964
Re: Newbie Introduction

Hi everybody, (Hi doctor nick:D). Just thought I would post a quick introduction of myself, Most forums have this in a seperate section.

I'm new to posting on this forum and new to boating, I have recently bought a pride ( australian ) runabout 3.8m / 12ish ft. It came with a johnson 25, I have recently upgraded to a Tohatsu 40 2cyl 2 stroke. So far it has been a ball, especially since there is no speed limits / camera's on the water.

If anyone has any advice or tips on boating or my current vessell, more specificaly on how to go faster :) It would be greatly appreciated.

So far this site has greatly helped me overcome a few problems I had, Many thanks.

Hope this is not an inapropriate place for this post.

I will be posting a question in the engine threads shortly.

P.S. can't believe this user name wasn't taken, pitty Nautilus was though:)

Welcome to Iboats!

The best tip anybody would give you to make your boat as fast as possible is to make sure that you have a sound running engine, and that your prop is sized according to your application. You want your engine up in the manufacturer recommended WOT rpm range.
The guys in the prop forum can help you with that.

Other than that, make sure there is no growth sticking to your hull , or excess unneeded weight/growth on-board such as a Mother-in-Law.;)

Once you have checked all that out, a bigger engine usually works too.....:D
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Newbie Introduction

G'day
If you're running a 40hp on a typical 12' boat, be careful and go alone, especially if it's tiller steer. Streuth it will throw you and you end up in the salties' gob.
 

red october

Cadet
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
7
Re: Newbie Introduction

Thanks all for warm welcome.

I did a boat/jetski licence as soon as I bought the boat, before I first took it out. So for the most part I have good knowledge of signals and markers, and how to hopefully avoid collisions. But that is definatley good advice, un trained boaters could prove dangerous.

Thanks for the prop and hull tips, I recently changed the prop from 10.6 x 11.3 to 11.25 x 14:D, Heaps better also had to adjust the engine height as it at too low ( i got the info from this site on recomended height ). I didn't think a dirty hull would slow me down though, I must get the slime off it then:redface:

Also it is a forward control, and yeah 12' with 40hp is fun so far but as with all things the adrenalin rush gets less each time, so more power is always on the cards.

This is the only photo I have. Pre engine swap. I will post some better ones soon.

Need to be sorted 001.jpg
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Newbie Introduction

whoa.
A 40 is a lot of motor on that boat. Does it still have its hull rating plate and if so, what is the max?
I'd worry about the strength of what appears to be a home-made transom, especially if you raised your 40. Is it on a jack plate? Are you using short shaft motors?
Finally, the cable steering was popular back in the day but has largely been phased out due to its danger: if it fails anywhere, the motor will jerk to one side, and that's all she wrote. So be certain the whole system is in good shapre and replace the cables, especially for a salt water boat.
Be sure to use your kill switch lanyard, and leave the rest of your gene pool on the beach.
Interesting home-made vent on the 25--never seen one; can't imagine why they added it. Are they common in Oz?
BTW where in Queensland are you? I have family in Noosa and have travelled that area a long time ago.
 

RogersJetboat454

Commander
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
2,964
Re: Newbie Introduction

Yeah....

Disregard what I said about that bigger engine...

The 25 was probably in the comfort zone of that transom, and the 40 is pushing the limits ill bet!:eek:

If more speed is what your after, you going to have to follow the advice of Chief Brody on this; "You're gunna need a bigger boat"
 

Robbabob

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
678
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome aboard!!!!!

Sounds like you are in great shape starting out. As has been mentioned, you probably already know the max HP rating for your boat; the 40 is probably there.

To help with any prop changes, look here... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287818

Provide the essential data and we'll see how we can help.

Again, nice to have you!
 

CheapboatKev

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
5,813
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome Aboard!

We have been Hunting You for quite some time!


Yes, folks, he will perform a Crazy Ivan in 30 minutes. :D
 

red october

Cadet
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
7
Re: Newbie Introduction

There is no rating plate, the boat is an older model. The 40 seems to be the most people recomend for a boat this size, much to my disapointment. But for a first boat it should do for now.

What seems to be the problem with the transom? ive been told it is quite good.

The 40hp came with a single cable steering setup, not sure what they call the system. I tried it with the clothes line system and it came off and got wedged in the pulley wheel:redface:

Not sure what the home made vent is? The silver plate on the back of the motor? Couldn't help you there, maybe they repaired the lid with it.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,098
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome to iboats.

Yes it appears to be a makeshift vent which will do no harm to the motor.

Steering ........ you have the old cable system which works (when the cable is routed properly and in good shape) but if your 40 has a single cable it will require a modified set-up if you want to use it. DO a search for teleflex steering and you will see some good examples.

To properly check the transom....tilt the motor up ....lock it and then apply your weight on the lower unit by the prop...... does the transom flex and bend with your weight????? It should not move much at all.
 

red october

Cadet
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
7
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome to iboats.

To properly check the transom....tilt the motor up ....lock it and then apply your weight on the lower unit by the prop...... does the transom flex and bend with your weight????? It should not move much at all.

Thanks for the steering info Bob, I can nearly lift the front of the boat from the prop, so far as transom strength it seems very good. I thought the point was the design was a bit questionable?
 

Windykid

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,177
Re: Newbie Introduction

Welcome to I-boats, my experience with cable steering popping off pully is that pully is broken or cable tension is set wrong.
 
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