Ok... after a summer of use of the "Juniper"
... with the 35.... I a ready to admit it is too light. It is fine with the Admiral and I. But with 4 adults, 2 kids and 4 dogs it will plane out, but you need a day-timer to plan the event! It takes half the lake to get going and the heaven forbid slowing down is required!... the whole process begins anew!
So... I have ordered a late 90's rebuilt 60 or 70 Johnson from my motor guy for the late spring delivery. The 35 goes.
Couple of things to note... with the 24 gallon tank out of the bow area, the boat rides rougher of the waves, but does not porpuse when the motor is trimmed up even slightly. I could trim the 35 up a lot. However, even with the 35 trimmed all the way tight in, any corner, the 35 propped out. As it turns out, because the 35 runs a 10" diameter prop vs the 60/70/90 13 3/4" diameter prop (90 might have been a 14"), the difference means that the 35 props out all the time and the 90 never did.
So there you have it... a 60 or 70 will grace the boat for next summer. Gas tank(s) will be in the stern. Gas consumption will be less than the 90 but a little more than the 35.
Have a great one fellas!
Jim
