Monday, October 24, 2011

Outboard Motors - What, Why, How and When to Be Used

!±8± Outboard Motors - What, Why, How and When to Be Used

An outboard motor is basically a single unit consisting of an engine, gearbox, and a propeller or jet drive, and it's used as an actuation device for boats. They are also used as auxiliary power devices for large boats whenever the need arises. Outboard motors are more convenient to use, as far as installation, maintenance, handling and repair is concerned.

Outboard motors are available in a number of sizes, according to the purpose which they serve. Their weight ranges from a few kilograms to about a few hundred kilograms. This also varies with the application that they're used for, wherein the weight increases with the number of parts and also with the kind of fuel used. A basic description of the types of motors available in the market is as follows.

The smallest outboard motors that are available are the portable kind, which are also the lightest of their kind. Their weight can be as little as 12 kilograms, and they provide about 15 hp of power. The speeds that these motors can help one achieve are close to about 15 km/hr, which may not be much, but there are applications wherein these kinds of speeds are required. These motors are hence used to power small watercraft, to provide auxiliary power to sailboats and for trolling aboard bigger boats.

Large outboards, as their name suggests, are much, much bigger in size, and also provide larger amounts of power. These contain engines with 2, 3 or cylinders, and can produce power ranging between 15 and 135 hp. These motors are used with large boats, which can be as long as 18 feet, and the hull of which may be as huge as 17 feet in length.

Motors with electric actuation are also available nowadays. These motors have an advantage over other motors, as far as quiet operation and zero emissions are concerned. These may not produce very high amounts of power, but they certainly are advantageous in areas where gasoline motors are prohibited and where silent working is required. An example would be fishing for freshwater species such as bass.

Another type of outboards uses diesel as fuel, but these have a disadvantage when it comes to the exhaust gases that they emit. These motors are also extremely heavy, which makes them a little difficult to use.

The last among this assortment of motors is the pump jet motor, which uses a jet of water for propulsion. These motors are very useful when operation in shallow water is demanded.

Coming to the criteria for selection of an outboard motor, there are two major requirements that must be fulfilled, before an outboard motor is fully qualified to perform, and the results achieved satisfy the customer. The first among these requirements is the power that is produced by the motor. There are certain standards that must be satisfied before a motor is graded as working in perfect condition. The second criterion is the shaft length of the motor, which again affects the efficiency of the boat, according to the application that it is being used for.


Outboard Motors - What, Why, How and When to Be Used

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Tuesday, October 4, 2011

What Are the Best Pontoon Props

!±8± What Are the Best Pontoon Props

Pontoon Boats are large flat bottomed boats that carry cargo and passengers. They are called party boats because of the number of people they can accommodate on board for a party. The hull is made of tubes called pontoons. These boats are best used in lakes and calm waters. Propeller companies make specific props that are ideal for pontoon boats. The main factors to consider when purchasing a pontoon prop is whether the prop provides sufficient thrust and turning ability for the large boat.

The best prop for the pontoon boat is the prop that the boat comes with. The manual of the motor will specify the pitch and diameter of the ideal prop. If the manual specifies a specific wide open throttle WOT rpm, it makes sense to get a prop that provides the required WOT RPM.

The material of the pontoon prop is an important consideration. Stainless steel propellers are not suitable props for pontoon boats. When a pontoon boat hits an obstacle stainless steel props resonate. The pass the resonance to other parts of the motor and cause severe damage. Pontoon boats are more likely to hot obstacles in calm water of lakes and rivers. Aluminum props shatter when they hit an obstacle. They are damaged but they do not allow damage to other parts of the engine. Aluminum is lightweight and it is easy to carry a spare aluminum prop and replace the prop if the original prop shatters because of impact. Stainless steel props give extra speed but the results of impact and the cost are too high compared to an aluminum prop which will give marginally less speed.

The best pontoon prop will allow optimum run around the engines at maximum rated rpm when the engines are run at full throttle. To get the best prop, the rpm should be checked with the average load, the above average load and full load of people, gear and fuel.  The engine should never be overloaded by over propping.

Propellers with four blades control the engine better on a pontoon boat. This is because pontoons are large and heavy boats and drag a lot of water. In some cases three blade large diameter propellers can be quite effective in optimizing the performance of pontoon boats. The size of the pontoon boat is for leisurely movement. Upgrading the prop will not give the boat excessive speed gain.

Propeller companies make special props for pontoon boats. It makes sense to purchase a special pontoon propeller for getting the best performance. The specialties of these pontoon propellers are that they have a lower rake and more blade area which provide the thrust and control required by these large flat boats. Some pontoon props come with extra cupping in the blades to give more grip on shallow waters and to reduce ventilation especially during difficult turns.

Pontoon boats have a range of uses, from being leisure craft to transporting cargo or passengers. Using specialized pontoon propellers will help the boat perform with great efficiency.


What Are the Best Pontoon Props

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