New Boat

[archerxx]

Bought new Tahoe Pontoon boat this summer and just wanted to post here so the forum had something in it.

 

[mandopickr]

Re: New Boat

Thanks, it been kinda slow around here lately. Maybe Tahoes don't have as many problems as some would have you believe.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

I just bought a new Tahoe Q7i (bowrider) this past August and its everything I wanted in a boat, so far. The only thing that's bugging me is that I don't get the chance to use it enough.

I'm currently having problems in selecting the right prop, though. I want more speed at the same RPM's. Switched to a 21p Enertia (Great Prop!) and achieved 60+ mph. But, my RPM's went down below Merc's specs. Will have to get a lower pitch prop and hope I don't lose the top end. I'll be selling the 21p prop on Ebay soon, if anyone is interested.

Rich

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

I just bought a new Tahoe Q7i (bowrider) this past August and its everything I wanted in a boat, so far. The only thing that's bugging me is that I don't get the chance to use it enough.

I'm currently having problems in selecting the right prop, though. I want more speed at the same RPM's. Switched to a 21p Enertia (Great Prop!) and achieved 60+ mph. But, my RPM's went down below Merc's specs. Will have to get a lower pitch prop and hope I don't lose the top end. I'll be selling the 21p prop on Ebay soon, if anyone is interested.

Rich

My Q6 with the 220 MPI (same size and weight as the Q7) and a 20" Enertia
runs right at 4800 RPM but max speed is 59 MPH. With the 19" Enertia max speed is
57-58 and RPM's are perfect at 4800 with a full load and 4-5 adults.

If I did it all over again I'd go with the 19" Enertia and then be happy with a few less
MPH. The 19" Enertia gets my boat from a dead stop to 50 MPH in under 10 seconds !

With a 21" Hustler I get over 62 MPH at 4300 RPM so I think you'll have to
give up a few MPH to get the RPMs dialed in.

The speed limit on most lakes is 50 anyways

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

Hey thanks for that info etransfer. In doing a little more research with the folks at Mercury, they recommended that I go with the 18 pitch Enertia. Like you stated, I'll probably lose some MPH but, will be in higher RPM range with a light load and lower range with full load.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

Hey thanks for that info etransfer. In doing a little more research with the folks at Mercury, they recommended that I go with the 18 pitch Enertia. Like you stated, I'll probably lose some MPH but, will be in higher RPM range with a light load and lower range with full load.

I wouldn't go with the 18" unless you are pulling two skiers with a full load in the boat all the time.

I personally like the higher cruising speed with the 20" and it hardly uses any gas.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

Well, with the 21" I was only getting 4,400 rpm's (200 less than Merc specs). If reducing pitch increases rpm's by 200 per one inch drop in pitch, I would only get 4,600 rpm's with the 20". My 260 hp Alpha One range is 4600 - 5000 rpm's. I want to achieve the max rpm so when I do have a full load, the rpm's will still be in the recommended rpm range.

Speed limit?...What speed limit?

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

Well, with the 21" I was only getting 4,400 rpm's (200 less than Merc specs). If reducing pitch increases rpm's by 200 per one inch drop in pitch, I would only get 4,600 rpm's with the 20". My 260 hp Alpha One range is 4600 - 5000 rpm's. I want to achieve the max rpm so when I do have a full load, the rpm's will still be in the recommended rpm range.

Speed limit?...What speed limit?

That's why the Hustler 21" is a good backup for cruising and it only takes
about 2 minutes to change the prop out.

If I go out with one or two other people I use the Hustler then change back to
the Enertia for a full load and tubing etc..

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

That's why the Hustler 21" is a good backup for cruising and it only takes
about 2 minutes to change the prop out.

If I go out with one or two other people I use the Hustler then change back to
the Enertia for a full load and tubing etc..

Hey...Thanks ET,

I just got the 18 pitch Enertia and plan on testing it this weekend. Merc said that prop should get me where I want to be at 5,000 rpm's...We'll see. But, reading the threads on "Prop Questions", I will consider getting myself a couple of aluminum props in different pitches for the changing loads and activities, as you have.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

Just got back from testing the 18p...Another nice prop! I got 58 mph at 5,000 rpm's WOT & full trim. Didn't notice the 3 mph loss at all. This prop responds to steering wheel turns very well and holds the turns without blowing out. It was a little bit slower than the 21p out of the hole though.

Rich

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

Just got back from testing the 18p...Another nice prop! I got 58 mph at 5,000 rpm's WOT & full trim. Didn't notice the 3 mph loss at all. This prop responds to steering wheel turns very well and holds the turns without blowing out. It was a little bit slower than the 21p out of the hole though.

Rich

These babies really hold on the turns don't they

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

Yup...Now I'm shopping for a four blade prop for good hole shots for wakeboarding and skiing...Any recommendations? Thinking about a Vensura but after reading your post, I'm considering aluminum.

 

[cioffin]

Re: New Boat

Hashi,

The Q7i is a pretty nice boat. I just picked one up myself this past March, and it too is everything I want/need. I just installed a Roswell wake tower this winter, but I havn't had a chance to test it. Let me know what 4 prop you decide on and how it works, Id be interested in seeing if it gives my boat a better pull for wakebording too.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

Hi Cioffin,

Yup...nice boats...so far. Mines came with the Tahoe tower installed and is a good addition to these boats. For props, I've been looking at the Merc. Vensura or Revolution 17p. But, if you beat me by buying first, let me know.

Because I also fish, I had dealer install a wireless Motorguide trolling motor on the bow. Can't use the bow anchor storage anymore, though....It was too small anyways.

How's your TrailStar Trailer? I had to return mines because the front winch mount was way out of line. It was welded crooked so whenever I winched my boat onto the trailer, it would go towards the right side. I had to push (guide) the boat as I winched it on. Just got it on the new trailer last week and this time one of the tires was wobbling. Dealer had to exchange tires with one of the tires from old trailer. Also, this new trailer has bent fenders. Poor quality control from TrailStar.

Rich

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

One more thing about this boat. The front rails are hollow so don't stand on them, they'll bend. Since my boat was used for a dealer show, someone stood on the rails and were bent. Tried bending them back but I heard the hull start cracking and stopped.

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

Yup...Now I'm shopping for a four blade prop for good hole shots for wakeboarding and skiing...Any recommendations? Thinking about a Vensura but after reading your post, I'm considering aluminum.

I went with the apollo 4 blade 19"

 

[cioffin]

Re: New Boat

Hashi,

My trailer seems fine, but I leave my boat drydocked at the marina, so I only tow the boat about 100 yards at a time. It launches and retrieves well though. This is the first trailer I have used that has bunks instead of rollers, and I actually find the bunks easier to load. Seems to help me line up the boat.

I have a second boat that I use for fishing. It's a 19' foot cobia (1988) with a Johnson outboard (140 HP). I used that for wakeboarding before I got the Tahoe, but it was a bear to get up on plane (for the boat and the board) I used a 19p Stainless Steel 3 blade. (Cant remember who made it, Solaris, maybe?), and I bolted a hydrofoil to the cavitation plate. that seemed to help a lot. Maybe the Tahoe could benefit from a hydrfoil as well.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

You're lucky...I have to tow my boat 45 minutes to the nearest lake and 15 minutes to the bay. I haven't taken it in the bay yet, though. Kinda reluctant to take into saltwater. I just got the 4 blade Revolution off Ebay and I'll let you know how it performs.

ET, what are you turning (RPM's) with that 19"?

 

[etransfer]

Re: New Boat

You're lucky...I have to tow my boat 45 minutes to the nearest lake and 15 minutes to the bay. I haven't taken it in the bay yet, though. Kinda reluctant to take into saltwater. I just got the 4 blade Revolution off Ebay and I'll let you know how it performs.

ET, what are you turning (RPM's) with that 19"?

About 4900 WOT.

I haven't had more then 3 people using it yet though as winter came.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New Boat

That sounds about right. But I wanted to reach max. recommended rpm and opted for the 18". On the 4 blade prop, I got the 17" because I'll lose about 50-100 rpm's with the extra blade that should get me in the 5100 range.