Shallows, small prop or big prop?

[Groo]

A jet drive wont work on this pontoon boat (tubes extend beyond engine), so small prop (fewer hits, but less beef) or big prop bottom end (more hits, but more beef to take those hits)?

 

[robert graham]

Do not understand question????....

 

[99yam40]

what does the pontoons extending past the motor have to do with not being able to use a jet drive?

stay away from shallow hard bottom

 

[Scott Danforth]

or simply DONT run into things

 

[Groo]

Jet are know for good turning, and neither are toons. I can't imagine it would turn for crap if all it does is spray water into the tube when I try to turn. I know when I raise my engine, it doesn't turn well at all. A just would be higher than I've ever tried with the current engine. I am also concerned about weeds with a jet.
My first instinct is to get a jet, but I just can't see it working on this boat.
I have shallows I have to go through. no other practical options. So far I have hit sand and mud with the prop.
My question is would I be better sticking with a standard small lower end, or should I be shopping for a high thrust style with a bigger prop? The bigger bottom end will be stronger, but also deeper.

 

[Groo]

*not known

 

[99yam40]

motors come short, long, ultra long

pushing hard to move boats usually requires the high thrust models

 

[Groo]

if it weren't for the shallows, I'd definitely get the high thrust model, but a bigger prop has to be set deeper. To pull some random number to use as an example; a 14" prop has about a minimum draft of say 16" while a 10" prop would have a minimum draft of 12", that's 1/3 deeper and just that much more contact with whatever is on the bottom.
My question is, does the increased ruggedness of the bottom end make up for the increased amount of contact in peoples opinions?

 

[99yam40]

a prop is a prop depending on the metal it is made from, either the prop is damaged when hitting hard objects or it damages other parts

a toon is not the best rig to be running around in shallow water
get a flat bottom boat and a jet if you want to run in rocky shallow water

 

[Groo]

I saw one such boat for sale locally big enough for the whole family for $30k. I don't have the cash for that. a new 60hp will be pushing the funds available.

wouldn't a gear case designed for 90+ hp be able to take an impact better than one designed for 60hp? Isn't that the basic difference between a high thrust and a standard?

 

[GA_Boater]

No drive, outboard,I/O, jet or prop, is made for rock bashing or digging channels in sand and mud.

You need to change boating habits.

 

[Groo]

I can't help what is between point A and point B. Rivers don't give many options for alternate routes.

 

[robert graham]

There is a black plastic/composite prop you can buy for about $80, more or less, that's designed to break upon impact with submerged objects....thereby helping protect your lower unit.. Believe they're sold as Comprop or something like that....Might be a viable option for you...

 

[poconojoe]

Exactly how shallow is the problem area? What is the minimum draft of your boat?
What do other boaters do in that area? Are there other pontoons running in that area? What setups do they have?
Maybe you need to find another place to go boating or change the type of boat you use.
Are other waterways available in you area? Perhaps renting a slip at a more navigable waterway.

 

[dennis461]

I think you should stop using this thread and go back to your other thread which explains how you inherited a pontoon boat with no motor.
It also seems you are new to boating.

A prop hitting bottom can do a lot more damage than just the prop. It can destroy the outboard, and on a really bad day, sink a boat (maybe not a pontoon boat, since there is no transom keeping the water on the outside).

Then there is the chore of getting back to port without a motor, do you have USBoats or SEATOW where you are planning on boating?.