Recent content by paticus

I wish mercruiser made a duo prop. I considered a Penta DP, but I didn’t want to go to Volvo due to the cost. The majority of the time this houseboat will be sitting on a mooring ball in a beautiful cove (not in a marina slip). So no need to move it. Once the boat is back in the water, I will...

Yep, I decided to go with the stern drive again. Although I strongly considered the outboards. I just don’t think I can make it work without rebuilding/heavily modifying the rear deck.

OK, so I am getting the result of my gear ratios mixed up. You are saying, the 2.0 ratio will actually provide more torque and bottom end (versus the 1.47), correct?

I have a 50k lbs houseboat with a 3.0 mercruiser. I’m swapping the stern drive and have the option for a 1.47 or a 2.0 gear ratio. The 2.0 seems to be the more common gear ratio to attach to the 3.0. But considering this is a massive boat pushing 5-7mph with displacement hulls, should I gear...

No out of water photos yet. Just bought it a few months ago. There’s a helm inside, nothing up top. The current fiberglass toons are (3) 4ft wide, 2ft tall rectangular logs, that Angle up at the bow. The center toon has an engine bay. The new aluminum pontoons will be similar width, but I’m...

Sorry for the lack of input folks! My reply notifications got filtered to junk. For record I attached a pic of the boat. I expect it to run about 5mph. I don’t know the difference between a floating home and a houseboat. The pontoons will be aluminum with a hull shape similar to a pontoon boat...

20ft, good point.

I have a 50ft houseboat (~50k lbs), that currently has a dead 3.0 mercruiser with an Alpha One Stern Drive. I am pulling the boat this Winter to get new Aluminum pontoons and engine pod. I was planning to replace the engine/outdrive as well. These Sterndrives seem great on boats that get...

Going down the Aluminum path, thanks for all of the input. I'll post some updates this fall/winter!

I don’t know. I’m not thinking too much about the aluminum “failures”. Plenty of boats are on Aluminum on the lake with no issues. I’m confident it’s a good option. I’m trying to debate if stainless is a good option. It is stronger. It is fresh water, so 304 would be fine from what I’ve...

Fresh water for both. The lake is directly downstream of Yosemite.

I will say.. the 304 stainless might be a good choice for freshwater. Everything that calls for 316, calls for it for marine/salt environments. I would provide great tensile strength over Aluminum. I still have the issue of galvanization with the aluminum drive though. Not sure if there are...

Totally agree. I’m also hitting up some Aluminum fabrication shops in the area to see if they have experience with toons. Roamer Marine gave me a good quote, I wish they were closer so they could install as well. Not trying to play general contractor with separate fabricators, installers...