Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

[The Dish Man]

I am having a weight problem. If I run a half or less of a tank of fuel,nobody can walk to the front of the boat or it sounds like the prop comes out of the water. This is a 2003 Silver Star Family. It came with a 40 hp Mercury with a 20" shaft. I have gone round and round with Waco to get this fixed. I have changed out 3 props, put a Dol-Fin on it and still runs the same. Anyone else seen or had this problem? Thanks !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

What size logs does it have?(23", 25", 26") Where is the Motor cavitation plate in relation to the logs(Middle, even with the bottom, Ect.) With a relatively light motor and big logs, you may need a 25" shaft to get the lower unit deep enough in the water to perform properly. What Model Silver Star is it?

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

What size logs does it have?(23", 25", 26") Where is the Motor cavitation plate in relation to the logs(Middle, even with the bottom, Ect.) With a relatively light motor and big logs, you may need a 25" shaft to get the lower unit deep enough in the water to perform properly. What Model Silver Star is it?<br />23" logs, transom is in the middle even with the floor and its the Aloha Series. <br />Do they make a 25" shaft for the 40 hp merc. ? Thanks for your reply !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

TDM<br /><br />I think you misunderstood my question. Where is the cavitation plate on the motor in relation to the logs? Kinda like this:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Does the cavitation plate line up with the middle of the log, bottom of log, Ect. And no, they do not make a standard 40 HP 25" shaft motor. Just trying to figure out where yours is sitting in the water. High or low? That's why the question about how high the cavitation plate is.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Also, a Jack Plate would allow you to raise or lower the motor on the transom as needed. Should not be nessesary, but if it's the only way... Might want to store as much stuff as you can under the rear seats. Like the anchor and anything else heavy to keep the stern down in the water.

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

the cavitation plate is about 6 inches above the bottom of the logs. I believe that the prop. is not in the water enough but getting this across to the manufactor is impossable... Waco made a mistake by putting a 40 hp motor or moving the transom level with the floor. Is there somewhere that I can complaine about Waco ? Its brand new (2003) and its getting me mad that I have to put up with this. Thanks Again !

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

My experience with a pontoon boat was that it needed a 25" shaft to stay in the water. The pontoon boats have a very shallow draft and as such the the rear end come further up with any rocking motion. You do not have a prop or load balance problem. Press the dealer to trade your motor for a longer shaft or at least upgrade you to a motor that does come in longer shaft length.<br />Your boat is unusable in it's current configuration. Manufacturers don't usually (I think) package the outboard with the boat. That is done at the dealership. This is a dealer issue at the least. With out threats, make it plain that you need a remedy to this problem and if they put you off go file on them in court.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Boomyal is right on. Although most toons do have the 20" shaft, yours is obviously in need of a 25" shaft. Keep on them about it and you may get an upgraded motor for nothing. Dealer is the place to start. If that doesn't get it, go to Waco and complain to them. Nothing will fix it outside of a longer prop shaft or a larger, heavier, 20" shaft motor!!!<br /><br />By the way, mines a 70 HP 20" shaft and if the water is Really rocky, it will ventilate too. Not a big deal for me, but on occasion it does happen.<br /><br />Next time you have it in the water, look down at the cavitation plate and see how far it's under the water when sitting still with less than a half tank of fuel. Take pics, too. May help in explaining your problem to the dealer. If it's near the surface just sitting there, it's wrong. The only time it should be at the surface is when you're running full out. My sis-in-law has this same problem on her toon. Needs a longer shaft and it's an 88 HP Rude. As soon as you get to less than half a tank of gas the prop blows out on every little wake. What a pain! Nice boat, but I hate running it because of this!

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Rick, What make of pontoon does your sis-n-law have..... Also the plate is about maybe 3 inches in the water just sitting. I also noticed that the top of a blade is about even with the bottom of the toon. Thanks !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

24' Riviera Cruiser. Nice boat, but has the same problem. You can almost tell when you are at a half a tank of gas without looking at the gauge by the way the prop starts to lose bite. Sometimes, the only way to make it hook up again with the water is to make a sharp turn. But that only lasts a few seconds and it blows out again. I don't know exactly how far mine is in the water just sitting, but it's certainly more than 3". I'm guessing 6-7 inches down. Can you take a pic of the motor and the logs from the rear kinda like I did and send it to me? Also, a pic of the motor mounted to the transom would be nice.<br /><br /> rickdb1@earthlink.net

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Rick, You got mail !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Like I said in the E-Mail, even if the logs are submerged 1/2 of the way when in the water, the prop would barely be under the surface. You might be able to get them to re-drill and lower the motor another inch or two on that aluminum transom.That might do it! Or possibly get them to install a Manual Jackpate. Is that also an aluminum deck, too? No real weight in the rear of the boat to submerge the motor! And that transom does sit high. Mine "Notches" down about 2" below the deck. Of course if you could get a great deal, a 60 or 70 HP would take care of it,too! <br /><br />

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Rick, THANKS ! The deck is 3/4 wood and the motor wont go down anymore. From the factory was set all the way down. Waco started sometime mounting the transom on the top of the deck. Not sure when but most other manufactors bolt it to the bottom. I sent Waco another letter today before it gets out of hand. The local dealer is blaming them and vise versa.... arrrgggggg Also the picture is with the trim all the way down. Yep... I said trim,dont know why it has it but who am I ???? Thanks Again !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

If you look at the pic of mine, you will see where the water line is on the log. That puts my prop at least 1' underwater. That's about normal!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Check this one out, too. As an example:<br />Click on the pics until you see the stern.<br /> web page

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

After looking at that pontoon.... My prop is so far out of the water I dont see how I go anywhere. Thanks.. Great picture !

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Rick, FYI... Waco called me today ! (After sending email with address to these post) And....... There sending me a new transom that has a cut out for the motor. Wooooo Hoooooo I hope it has atleast a 4 to a 6 inch cut out. Thanks for everyones help. This is a great forum. I hope I can help others like you folks helped me. Thanks Again !

 

[The Dish Man]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Rick, you around anywhere ? I got rid of this pontoon finaly ! Nothing but trouble ! Traded it in on a 21.5 Deckliner ! Pick it up Wednesday ! Cant wait! <br /><br />I didnt forget about you guys ! Talk to you soon !

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Trouble with a new Waco pontoon

Dish Man <br /><br />Glad to here you are fixing that "problem"! Sometimes that's the only way! Good luck with the new boat and let us know how it does. Curious though, did the new transom solve the original problem??