pontoonwaterglide real results( A MUST READ IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ADDING ONE)

[xcabred]

I have a 2012 bennington 24ssl with a 150 2 stroke mercury outboard,i bought a waterglide and the performance sheeting,i called the owner 1st to see how the product was,he said it was great but I might have to lower the motor,ordered both kits $2200.00 with shipping,put the boat in the water to make measurements,pulled it out and installed the sheeting and the glide,back in the water and was getting prop slippage from grabbing not enough water,owner said to lower the motor,i paid a machine shop($200.00) to make 3inch spacers for the transom according to his specs,back in the water,thought the motor was going to fall off, the vibration was so bad,took everything out so I can use the boat,called again and he wanted me to move the glide forward 5 inches and 1 inch up,back in the water,prop still slipping,told the owner I was not happy and he said I can return it,i pay the shipping and 15% restocking fee,(total loss with adding bolts spacers,shipping and restock fee approx.$1050.00)so he said this will work so we added a drive ext for $740.00 he paid half,back in the water,ride went to crap,called again out of the water,moved it back to original position,no change,so now the results are 38 mph before,38 after 0 change,turns great,rpms no change,rides high in front if you have a lot of people,rides poor banging under boat,the last time I moved the glide the owner said by my pic I have lifting strikes,then he told me that is why its banging,his response its water under the bridge at this point,they are fighting against each other(he should of ask me in the beginning )I have so much time and money in this product it is crazy(approx. $3000.00) without my time fuel and labor,it would of been nice when I wanted return it if he wavied the restock fee and paid some of the shipping,but no we went forward and I am very unhappy,just add a 3rd toon and it will ride well and increase the value of your boat end result your choice but (DONT DO IT YOU WILL BE SORRY)

 

[lmuss53]

I have heard this story about this product on other forums. I've seen more people buy them, then pull them back off, than buy them and be happy.

 

[cannonman]

WOW! That would really suck. I am so glad I went ahead with the third toon on my boat. They almost had me for a while thinking the Waterglide would be a suitable way to go. I hope they will somehow make it right for you.

 

[Bamaman1]

Don't understand why you just didn't add a Bennington 3/4 length Express Tube with built in strakes. They're easy to install and just about 250 lbs. in weight..

 

[MaPaHa]

I hate to hear that you had so much trouble out of it. I installed one a few years ago and I'll agree that the position and depth will make a difference. At first I set mine a little deep on purpose and had some trouble with prop ventilation with light loads and front heavy loads. I came back and moved it shallower and didn't have any more trouble but I also used a jack plate to lower the motor and I went to a four blade PT prop. It does add some roughness under the floor because it's giving you lift and pushing against the floor joists so I chalked that up to being normal. I was very happy with the performance results on speed, turning and getting the boat out of the water and general handling. I think I could of made it shallower and not had to do the jack plate but I wanted it as deep as possible for performance. It did what it said it would do in my case. I decided that if the Water Glide made such a positive difference that a center toon would make even more so I removed it and added a center toon. I don't regret the change but I LOST a MPH or so, but I gained an in-floor storage bin and a inboard fuel tank and a heavy duty motor transom that I had built in the center toon. The only difference in mine and yours is that I did not have lifting strakes on the outer toons at that time I added the Water Glide nor ever. From my experience, there's a possibility that the Glide was too deep for your set up and there's definitely some trial-and-error with getting one right. When I replaced my motor a few years later I went with the longer shaft motor and I've got room for adjustment now. I don't think that part was wasted money. I messed around with a jack plate trying to lower the older motor and the long shaft was the way to go for that part. You could have depth trouble with the center toon with the regular motor.

As I've written here before, In my experience the Water Glide was the biggest bang for my buck. It was a heck-of-a-lot easier and cheaper than adding a center toon with a built in transom even considering pulling the Glide back off and cutting it down. But I'm extremely happy with my center toon with all the other benifits.

I've never heard anyone talk about using a Water Glide with lifting strakes, and my set up never had that combination, so I'm not sure on the conflict there. Currently I have full lifting strakes on all three toons. My boat is 22 feet with a mid 90's 150 HP motor.