Can I use prop motor with a channel hull?

[Tncry]

I'm looking to buy my first boat. It is a 2008 Tracker Grizzly with a Mercury 40hp 4 stroke prop. The boat seems to have a channel of sorts at the back end. Is this a design for jet motors only? Will this set up affect performance? Should I abandon this purchase? Thanks for any ideas. Check the photo.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Can I use prop motor with a channel hull?

The picture I see and estimating the position of the anti vent plate and prop when the engine is vertical suggests to me that the system will work. The idea of the jet was to get into the tunnel to get shallow water operation. The jet has suck in water as does the conventional prop. So, in my estimation, if the jet can get enough green water to run, so should the conventional engine.

Why don't you run it before you invest anything in it. Did you buy it on a whim?

 

[Tncry]

Re: Can I use prop motor with a channel hull?

Why don't you run it before you invest anything in it. Did you buy it on a whim?

I have not bought it but feel rushed to make a decision because of other buyers interest. I guess the truth is, because I have so little experience in a motor boat I fear I wouldn't know if it was performing well or not. I should ask for a "test drive". Thanks for the comment.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can I use prop motor with a channel hull?



It is a tunnel hul, perhaps a flats boat, and not necessarily designed for a jet drive engine. Look at this one. The boat and the engine don't care what they are mounted on--as long as the prop has solid water to turn in, the engine will run OK. In fact, if you have a very low water pick-up, you can run the engine high enough so only one blade is in the water. But, that's a high performance thing.

If you want it and the price is right, buy it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Can I use prop motor with a channel hull?

It can work fine, it will allow the motor to be mounted a little higher for shallow water use. It can be far trickier to use a jet with a tunnel, the tunnel design needs to be just right and setup can be tough. It's much easier with a prop.