Picture of an outboard motor on a pontoon boat

1983 ercoa 21'

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2014
Messages
632
THE DEPTH OF A MOTOR ON A PONTOON SITTING IN THE WATER IS NOT IMPORTANT NOR IS THERE ANY PROPER DEPTH !
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,581
Who says so, If your motor is to high you could burn out your water pump.
If your motor is high enough that you would get air in your water pump, that would be the least of your problems.

Continuing the Shaggy Dog story! :)
 

ahicks

Captain
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
3,957
For us less knowledgeable, please explain the performance differences/requirements of a boat just sitting there, not moving.
 
Last edited:

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
If your motor is high enough that you would get air in your water pump, that would be the least of your problems.

Continuing the Shaggy Dog story! :)

I don't know. That dog's not all that shaggy.

-Judge #1, 1973 Shaggy Dog Midwest Regionals
 

wahlejim

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 23, 2015
Messages
884
I am home sick today and looking through the forum and I came across this! This whole thread is fantastic!! iBoats needs a "best of" category....

Onto what I believe the "pertinent" information is.

1) Silver Eagle is looking for (and has received) pictures of an outboard motor on a pontoon just sitting in the water. Silver Eagle believes that the level of the motor when the boat is pertinent. It is not. If you are worried about your impeller when the boat is not in motion, just look at the motor when it is at the dock. Are the intakes under water? If yes, your impeller is safe with the boat not moving.

2) In regards to performance and whatever it is you are trying to achieve, you need to know how submerged the motor is when you are moving. A picture of a boat at rest will not help you due to several factors including: length of pontoon, weight of boat, length of motor, etc.

If you tell us if there is a problem you are experiencing and are trying to correct, or even if you want optimal performance, we need to know more. In regards to the impeller while moving, if you are moving and your prop is not above the water line, your intake is below water and it is fine.

Bottom line, you are not going to be able to tell what is correct for your pontoon based on the pictures of other pontoons in regards to motor height.
 
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