Would a front rudder help steer the thing?
Well, it was way too far away (about 400 mi) for me to get, but I
almost pulled the trigger on a 30 ft. pontoon boat. Looked pretty
good. (deffinately not new) but had lots of potential. It had a junk
50 hp Chrysler on it, but the transom was thick and wll braced,a nd I
thought I've got the engine for it with the 115 V-4 Evinrude I now
have. so I was really getting itchy. then I though, now that thing
will steer like a log wagon because of its length. no tight
manuverability. For running the Ohio or Illinois river[s], and even
the Wabash in Indiana, and Carlyle lake it would be ok, too, and those
places are where I'd take it. But for getting in tighter turns would a
front rudder help steer it?
I know that cars and some pickups trucks have had 4 wheel steering for
years. And I didn't know if a small rudder mounted between the front
of the pontoons would be worthy on this size of a craft, or not.I know I'm probably answering my own question, but it probably
wouldn't be that practical, otherwise they'd all be coming out with
them. Any Ideas? Thanks! |
Tim
Apr 14
|
| Thanks! I'm hoping to. That's why I quit smoking! |
John
Apr 16
|
| Jimmy, you are *so* neat and cool! Did you know that everyone here wants to
be *just like you*? |
John
Apr 16
|
| Jimmy's a real neat guy. I'm sure he thinks he's quite cute too! |
John
Apr 16
|
| OK, I did some thinking on this project today, and it would probably
work. instead of "rudders" use "Flaps" on the pilots side pontoon,
put two flaps right on the sides of the point of the pontoon. with
what ever levers one would use. (Twin inboard throttle or shift
controls come to mind), attach so when needing to enhance steering to
port, then advancing the starboard lever, it woul swing the outboard
flap out x-number degrees aiding steering the pontoon to port. , re-
center the lever and the flap retracts back to the side of the point
of the pontoon. need help steering Starboard, then advance the port
side lever and the inboard flap advances x-number of degrees to aid in
starboard steering. really simple when one thinks about it. Oh well, if it worked that great they'd all have them..... |
Tim
Apr 16
|
| Indeed, the new king'o'flame is...Chuck. |
Harry
Apr 15
|
| JohnH is busy pretending he is Johnny Appleseed. |
Harry
Apr 15
|
| Dan, that's the type of speed I was talking about. I never heard of a
remote control and remote steering trolling motor, but I'm not
surprised thats it's ont he market. Probably has been longer than
I've thought. but that would probably work. I didn't look around too much ont he site, but I didn't see any price
listed. Probably more than what I'd really care to spend anyhow. but good to
know it's available. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| But it seems like the true *K*I*N*G* is still omnipresent, and ready
to argue over anything. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| John Herring? |
JimH
Apr 15
|
| Wasn't who I was thinking of, Jim. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| Indeed. You'll notice that I'm forever mentioning you in a derogatory manner
in my posts, while you are far too sophisticated and mature to do
likewise. No wonder I get such grief from you and your disciples, I
deserve it because I'm "flaming" you all the time. |
Chuck
Apr 15
|
| Not a bad idea. Have you planted your tree yet? Only $25, and you can do it
in memory of Jimmy! |
John
Apr 15
|
| The three Hazeltones, all in a row. You've gotta love such neat guys! Dave,
if you're listening, this is the crowd to get on good terms with. They're a
great group of folks! Donnie, Jimmie, and Harrie! You go boys! |
John
Apr 15
|
| Johnny Appleseed it is! He seems to have given up all pretensions of being
an unbiased, fair sheriff. |
Don
Apr 16
|
| rules? Is there a probation period before I can declare omnipotence? ;-)<< Rookies... gotta love 'em. Anyone that's been around rec.boats KNOWS you
have to have some sort of political troll in your post. Get with the program
man! ;-) --Mike |
Mike
Apr 16
|
| I dunno Harry. Glass houses comes to mind... --Mike |
Mike
Apr 16
|
| Welcome back, Dave! Glad to see you're still around, and in the marina business. Weren't you thinking of taking up school teaching a few years ago? There aren't any new newsgroup rules. Some folks are placing greater
emphasis on staying on topic, avoiding political debates, and trying
to discuss things like adults. For others, it's pretty much business
as usual- but it sort of works out that a more few people acting like
grownups makes a significant difference. The folks who have found this site since your departure will be
pleasantly surprised with the depth of your experience and willingness
to share. Here's hoping nobody takes off on some crusade against you
(like before)- you were always an asset to the group. |
Chuck
Apr 15
|
| You guys are like the Energizer Bunny! It must be a real pleasure to be so
cool and neat! |
John
Apr 15
|
| Thanks Chuck :-) |
Dave
Apr 16
|
| Welcome back, my old friend, how are things up there in the cold part of the
continent? Do you still remember which end of a hammer or a screwdriver to hold on to? Bill Grannis
service manager |
Billgran
Apr 16
|
| Be careful what you ask for... He came out of newsgroup retirement for a brief time a few years back
and was crankier than ever. |
Wayne.B
Apr 16
|
| Good to see you old salt - how have you been keeping? Getting snow here
today and, of course, that means a few mooring covers are gonna get
ripped. Kids even got a snow day from school. > Do you still remember which end of a hammer or a screwdriver to hold on to? I'm embarrassed to say I don't do much wrenching anymore - I just step
in every once in a while to show the younin's there's still a reason the
keep me around. ;-)
|
Dave
Apr 16
|
| You should be calm & mellow John. It's not everyday you hit the grand old
age of 70 something. Congratulations. |
Don
Apr 16
|
| Thankee, thankee. I am! Yesterday I was 63! My daughters met me in
Fredricksburg with all six grandkids, and we had dinner at Cracker Barrel.
They bought! |
John
Apr 16
|
| 70? I remember seeing him in a picture when he had his boat . The guy
looked at least 75 then. |
JimH
Apr 16
|
| Let's see a picture of you to compare |
basskisser
Apr 16
|
| Congrats, John. I'm sure you had a good time with the family, and
hoping you have many more. |
Tim
Apr 16
|
| Putting a second rudder on the front would likely result in capsizing
at any serious turn of speed. |
Chuck
Apr 14
|
| How you gonna get a serious turn of speed in a 30' pontoon boat? |
Ernest
Apr 15
|
| Wonder if a robust Minn Kota electric motor at the bow would assist
steering...... acting like a poor man's bow thruster. |
Don
Apr 15
|
| Don, after the fact, i thougth of that myself. and with it cabled up
to the steering, it could also act as a rudder I suppose, or jsut
throw it in and use it to aid docking ect. that's also and idea. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| With far too much horsepower. :-) |
Chuck
Apr 15
|
| The normal method of moving the bow somewhat independently of the
stern is to use a thruster, not a second rudder. |
Chuck
Apr 15
|
| >stern is to use a thruster, not a second rudder. Actually not. I've never seen thrusters on a pontoon boat but I do see quite a few
with widely spaced twin outboards, and that seems to work just fine. |
Wayne.B
Apr 15
|
| If you've got a lot of side to side swing most of these turn pretty well at
slow speeds. If you're looking at pontoon boats manuverability is not one
of your primary requirements. "Tim" <tschnautz@gmail.com> wrote in message |
James
Apr 15
|
| I use a Minn Kota 65 AP on my boat while trolling lakes. Lock the kicker
straight ahead, and use the trolling motor to steer the front of the boat.
Works very well. |
Calif
Apr 15
|
| Woo Hoo, my first real contribution opportunity since I came back! I was researching this manufacturer for a bow thruster for 50' monohull
houseboat I'm currently re-powering and I came across one of their
products designed as a bow thruster for pontoons - it's kind of like an
bow mounted trolling motor except that it mounts on the underside of the
deck. Obviously not something you'd drop into the water at any great
speed, but great for maneuvering in tight quarters. http://www.sideshift.com/BoatType/pontoon.htm I'm rusty at this - should I end with a flame under the new newsgroup
rules? Is there a probation period before I can declare omnipotence? ;-)
|
Dave
Apr 15
|
| If you want to fit in with the right crowd, you should , at least, call
someone an asshole, and then say you've got them 'filtered'! Tim - I think you need one of those. You can tell your wife I said so. |
John
Apr 15
|
|
I'm sure the newsgroup lawmen will give you a short 'grace period' before
rounding you up. |
Don
Apr 15
|
| But Chuck, one doesn't have to run the engine wide open all the time. I was thinking about low throttle, and bow assistance. Pushing away from a dock, a thrusting device aka trolling motor would
be fine, but i was thinking more to make the craft more nimble under
weigh. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| P 340 30' to 40' ft. $3,995.00 USD Er, that waqs more than the whole pontoon w/trailer! But gives me some ideas for the future, though. |
Tim
Apr 15
|
| Tim, How fast will you be moving where you need the added steering control?
The trolling motor idea sounds good for < 5 MPH or so. Here's one with
a remote control for the steering! http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=fbm_terrova Dan |
Dan
Apr 15
|
| Maybe JohnH can put on a fundraiser to help defray the high expense.
It's the least he can do after all you've sent him. |
Don
Apr 15
|
| ROTF!!!!!!!!!! |
JimH
Apr 15
|
| The rules are that there are no rules. If you break them however, someone will be sure to tell you about it. Skipper has been mercifully MIA for quite awhile so you won't have to
worry about him. |
Wayne.B
Apr 15
|
