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Inflatables and Jets
Posted by Tracey Harmon on May 28 2005
Stainless,
Could you tell me who made your Mercury? I ask because the manufacturer of the boat will tell me a lot about your boat. Have a look at the ID plate. It should tell you who and where. By the way, the first three letters of the serial number will also tell you who built the boat (those letters are asigned to the manufacturer by the USCG and allow anyone to research that manufacturer through the USCG web site). You could be ahead by calling the manufacturer and discussing your problems with the designer/manufacturer before moving ahead with your dealer.
3.5 pounds is usually plenty for a Hypalon (DuPont's trade marked rubber coating) boat, especially the small chamber of a keel. Have you checked the keel with copious amounts of warm soapy water? Keels are notorious for leaks, whether they are new or old. A keel with even a small leak will not let the boat perform to it's fullest potential. The main tube must also be up to pressure or performance will suffer. Do not count on a cheap air gauge to report air pressure accurately (forget those $20.00 pumps with the built in gauges). You do not need to purchase a $200.00 oil filled gauge but count on spending about $40 - $50.00 rather than $5.00!
Any aberation (sp) to the bottom of the craft, especially just in front of the jet foot, is a killer. Can that "bump" be removed? You may also consider adhering a fabric apron to the bottom of the boat; an apron which would lay over the top of the jet foot. I have used these to help the water flow with a bit of success in the past.
The AIRE Power Traveler, powered with a Mercury 25/20 Jet, will carry four adults on step, though not with any great speed. We were moving, against about a two mile per hour current, about as fast as a fit adult could run. Not fast enough to water ski but fast enough (yes I forgot my GPS). I have a few more modifications to make to the transom tomorrow then I will be out for another water test VERY SHORTLY and will give you a better answer (if you want the info).
I do have pics of the boat. If you would like I could e-mail them to you.
Good luck,
Tracey
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