Outboard add-ons?

[ted655]

I'm installing a hyd. jackplate on my Yamaha 115. I run in shallow water a lot, so I'm also installing a water pressure guage and I am considering the Big Foot nose cone. Anyone using it? Does it REALLY add 50% more water?
Is it necessary, worth it and should I attempt the install or pull the unit & pay to have it done? I do most other repairs and am mechanicle, With a shop & tools.
They will weld it on. My son is a welder in an aliminium boat shop. Is the epoxy attachment system as good?
Secondly.... are those "grease nuts" for the steering cable worth it/
Thanks,

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Outboard add-ons?

i use the grease nut and have not had any problems. there inexpensive, and any grease is better than no grease.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Outboard add-ons?

Ted, FWIW, I never could justify spending the $20 on one of those grease nuts. I have the OEM plastic "wiper", and it has worked acceptably well.

 

[ted655]

Re: Outboard add-ons?

Thanks.
Any nosecone users out there?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Outboard add-ons?

We've used lots of nose coned gearcases but for different reasons than what you're doing. I doubt it adds 50% more water at normal heights. If you run the jackplate up so far the stock pickups don't get enough water then, yes it probably does add 50% more water at that point.

And you have to factor in which style you're talking about. The standard low water pick ups in the bottom of the cone will actually get less water if you use a lot of positive trim. Think about the angles.

The Sportsman cone will pick up a lot of water at all trim angles but will suck air at exterme X dimensions.

The standard cone with the water pick ups on the bottom may not be a good idea for shallow water. You'll pick up a lot of sand / bottom debris etc with it.

 

[ted655]

Re: Outboard add-ons?

Thank you.
I'd had'nt even seen one befor researching the jack olate.
In our case, typical operation will be little trim at slow speed and varied heights of prop. We have deep pools and canals sprinkled with shifting sand bars. This combined with stumps and sinkers makes for varied depth of prop and slow to medium speed.
The boat only draws 10" of water. There will be short intervels where the prop would be flush with the bottom of hull, then back deeper.
I'm not so foo;ish as to get the boat on plane in these waters.