nose cone for sterndrive

[heatz1express]

I've recently come across a website(Marinetoys.ca)
where they are advertising nose cones for around 100 bucks. Apparently they can add 2-8mph., improve boat handling/steering and improve boat altitude. I assume that since the boat will ride higher in the water there is the potential for savings at the pumps too!

Question is: Anybody have any firsthand experience with these things? Do they do what is claimed? Should I be considering purchasing a nose cone?

My boat is a 21ft weekender w/cuddy, eng.305(230hp),
w/800series OMC outdrive, 46 m.p.h.@4500 w.o.t., prop. 15x17 stainless

 

[Boomyal]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Probably not Heatz. However a link might help us understand what you are referring to. Kinda sounds like a fuel line magnet to me.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: nose cone for sternd

Re: nose cone for sternd

There is SOME truth to that. A properly designed and installed nose cone can add some lift and streamlining, and thus improve speed, fuel economy, and handling. However in non race applications don't look for dramatic changes. Added fuel economy will probably not offset cost of part and installation. Remember, in race applications the engine is jacked and the gearcase is a riding surface. In non race applications the whole smash is under water.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Hey Boomyal ! Nose cones are available on iboats too!
You sure you're not just saying that because I am a member of the White Anchor Society? lol!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Hey Boomyal ! Nose cones are available on iboats too!
You sure you're not just saying that because I am a member of the White Anchor Society? lol!

Hey Heatz, why would I do that? I'm a sensable guy.

I did look at the iboats ad for the 'nose cone'. It's a pretty p***poor ad. They couldn't do a photograph? It is cheap enough, but you wonder why the outdrive makers wouldn't have discovered that design when they built the lower cases.

Sounds fishy to me. You know some rockets have rounded noses that were arrived at with very thorough and capable testing. I'd have to see more data before I bit.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Nose Cones were made for incredibley high speed's and stabilizing vortec's at those velocities. Snake oil is my first response see Dhadley
........

 

[Boomyal]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

....see Dahadley........

See Dahadley's what, TG? Is it rounded too?

Hey, I now have my OEM 4bbl intake and my OEM 4 bbl spacer. Now all I have to do is send my 450 cfm Holley off to Holley and I'll be ready to blow your doors off!8)

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Nosecones only help at speeds greater than any cuddy will ever do. Otherwise they just snag weeds and make steering kinda squirrelly.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

....see Dahadley........

See Dahadley's what, TG? Is it rounded too?

Hey, I now have my OEM 4bbl intake and my OEM 4 bbl spacer. Now all I have to do is send my 450 cfm Holley off to Holley and I'll be ready to blow your doors off!8)

ok ok corrected..Dhadley

Boom says:Now all I have to do is send my 450 cfm Holley off to Holley and I'll be ready to blow your doors off!8)......

Umm do i smell A little something here....

Ya better get the head's to go along with that itty bitty 450 or there's going to be some serious..........

................

 

[heatz1express]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

thanks for the responses, all ! It would seem there is a consensus. Nose cone not really for me. Atleast no one told me I need a new boat--not yet, anyway !8)

 

[Scaaty]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Snake oil under 100mph

 

[heatz1express]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

After inquiring at the web site I got a response. In a nutshell I was told not to expect speed increase if going under 60-65 m.p.h. but still should have improved holeshot and possibly slightly higher cruising speed?
What do you think of that?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Years ago Chrysler had their "Hydro-Dart" lower unit. Looked just like a nose cone. They were known as "Stump Stabbers." A nose cone will be more prone to weed fouling and picking up other debris. Ya pays yer money--Ya takes yer choice!

 

[QC]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

but still should have improved holeshot. What do you think of that?

You ever hear of the BolShoi Ballet?

possibly slightly higher cruising speed?
What do you think of that?

If slightly is .000000001 MPH then maybe . . . And how would they (or you for that matter) know that your cruising speed hadn't improved by pushing the handle just a teeney weeney bit further?

If you want more speed:

a) post some speeds and WOT RPM, current prop specs etc.

b) insure that you are able to trim it out as far as you can by shifting some weight either aft (or overboard). Even possible with OMC manual trim as long as you can still get her on plane.

c) if she porpoises slightly (good actually) at high trim and speeds add trim tabs to control that.

You'll get infinitely more improvements from this type of stuff than some cheapo, or even super duper expensive, nose cone. Pretty easy claim too because I am very confident the cone will do nothing, zippo, nada, except a few bad things.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

thx. 4 the response QC. You mentioned that a little porpoising is a good thing actually. Why's that?
I do and have done what you say re: posting specs., shifting weight, trimming and tabbing.8)

 

[QC]

Re: nose cone for sterndrive

Well if she will porpoise, the bow is light enough that you can get it as high as possible. It is not necessarily the porpoising that is good, it just that a little bit indicates that the balance is pretty close to as correct (slightly stern heavy) as you can get it. Then you control the porpoise with your trim tabs. There is really not much more you can do other than better props and horsepower . . .

Oh, oh and chuckin' stuff over the side helps a lot 8)