POD Conversion - what style is best?

[brutus]

I have done 4. All worked awesome. I did the calculations of chamber size and worked with the builder. All brackets(stepped)
Never cavitation issues or porpoising once proper engine height achieved.

From some of the reading I’ve done, HE can create stern lift(too much) then creating bow steer issues, step brackets create purposing issues, so bit of a good for one bad for the other, mine has a small stainless step bracket, very light, had the 225 Honda on it no issue, Suzuki 300 gave me a bit, raise the motor up 2 holes after instal, and rides pretty good, if over trimmed it does purpoise a bit, keep the bow down and it rides awsome. Don’t have a lot of experience, own too many IO. What has me ???? Is lots of factory builds come with stepped rake brackets, there as to be a reason why they do it that way. I know one thing for sure is the way you load your boat has lots to do with handling, mine runs 100% when my fuel tank is full, 125 gallons, when fuel is low is when the bow wants to bounce a bit

 

[Coastwise]

I was looking at a couple new Thunderjets today. They have hull extension pods basically exactly as I’m picturing for mine.

 

[Coastwise]

They do not have to design, they can recomend which would work best. Smaller boats that were butt heavy generally have an extension work better. Some larger boats it works great also. However ask yourself why most manufacturers when building integrated brackets use the step, Boston whaler, Grady, pursuit, kingfisher…….

Lots of talented builders around. I had whiskey creek marine (E and D) and it works great
Sooke has one guy that’s a pro but have not seen his ad in forever.

Do a bit of research.some guys make them and it is a disaster,

I did call them. They basically recommended that I employ a naval engineer. I guess they don’t want to be responsible for making any recommendations without doing the work themselves. Fair enough I suppose. They don’t have any details for my boat. It sounds like it was built by previous owners of the company and the paperwork didn’t get transferred over.
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All the shops I talk to seem to be confidently recommending HE pods though.

 

[Coastwise]

If your heart is set on Yamaha’s this might be a good buy if it’s private. (No tax) Same block as the 300 and it has 440 hours. I’d sure try and get an engine that comes with controls as they add up, even when they do come with controls a different props and a few longer cables can cost another thousand or two. Lots of used yami controls out there too and almost all the mechanics know how to work on them. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1437422110594704/?ref=search

Thanks! I think the 250 will be a bit underpowered for my boat unfortunately. Not set on Yamaha by any means, I’d go any of the main 3 brands.
Port boathouse has lease returns that come back late fall. 300hp, 800-1000hrs $16,500. That’s quite a few months away though…

 

[Coastwise]

Update on the pod conversion. Just wrapping up at the welding shop. Quite pleased with how it’s turning out. Going with a new 350 susuki.

 

[daddystoy]

Late comment in regards to the cost of gas comment earlier.
Many years ago as a young fella I worked on a troller on the west coast as a summer job. There's one comment that stuck with me from the crusty old skipper and that was "fuel is the cheapest thing you'll ever spend on a boat".
I kinda get what he means now. If all you ever had to do was fuel up a boat and go that would be a dream.

 

[Max123]

I really like that dive ladder. One - note, you may want to add some kind of snubber/bushing for when the ladder is in the up position to prevent metal-metal vibration. Stuff like that will drive you crazy.

 

[Coastwise]

I really like that dive ladder. One - note, you may want to add some kind of snubber/bushing for when the ladder is in the up position to prevent metal-metal vibration. Stuff like that will drive you crazy.

The ladder is actually reused from the old eagle craft swim grid. I really liked it too. I just need to find a good way to keep it up. Before I’d just tie it to the cleat above but some kind of pin through it might be good. We’ll see how the noise goes. Wasn’t an issue before but the diesel engine was also a lot louder.