Lowe 1652 - mod - Tunnel and pods

[sparkbr]

Thought I'd post a few of the mods I'm in the process of doing to a 1652 Lowe.
Pods and a 6" tunnel. I have a jet drive but have yet to buy the motor I'm going to run it on.

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/Boat%20mods/102_0522.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/Boat%20mods/102_0523.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/Boat%20mods/102_0260.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/Boat%20mods/102_0417.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/Boat%20mods/102_0256.jpg

For anyone interested in aluminum work in the area, feel free to contact me

 

[ben2go]

I'm confused.Why a tunnel and a jet?

 

[sparkbr]

It is originaly a 20" transom, I've run the boat for the past 7 years duck hunting. For the past 3 years I've been running a mud motor on it but have been wanting to try something different. I didn't need to go to this tall of a tunnel, but decided to so that I can still hang a short shaft motor on it when I'm not duck hunting. The pods are just an add on because I had the spare aluminum laying around. They will give me just over 100 extra lbs of bouyancy in the rear as well as help fight the draw down the jet will cause under acceleration

 

[Captain Ahab]

For anyone interested in aluminum work in the area, feel free to contact me

What area?

 

[sparkbr]

Sorry, guess I forgot that.... Peoria Illinois

 

[Captain Ahab]

Sorry, guess I forgot that.... Peoria Illinois

**** - well thanks for the info

That is one sweet job you did there, please post more pics as you get it running

 

[bassboy1]

I'm confused.Why a tunnel and a jet?

Jets will get you in water to shallow for a prop, but if the water is too shallow for a boat, you need the tunnel, as the jet intake is still about 2 or so inches below the water. Putting it in the tunnel allows you to run over rocks that slide along the bottom of the hull, which is why the UHMW plastics are coming into play as far as a bottom covering. Otherwise, if he hit a rock with the hull at high speeds, think about what that would do to the jet intake, which is 2+ inches below the hull.

 

[sparkbr]

Thanks, The Lowe is on hold for a little while until it warms up. Then I gotta finish it up quick because I've got aluminum coming to build a 18x60 mod V to sit in the front yard and try to sell (test the market a bit)

 

[ben2go]

I'm confused.Why a tunnel and a jet?

Jets will get you in water to shallow for a prop, but if the water is too shallow for a boat, you need the tunnel, as the jet intake is still about 2 or so inches below the water. Putting it in the tunnel allows you to run over rocks that slide along the bottom of the hull, which is why the UHMW plastics are coming into play as far as a bottom covering. Otherwise, if he hit a rock with the hull at high speeds, think about what that would do to the jet intake, which is 2+ inches below the hull.

=D>

 

[sparkbr]

Well, it's been awhile, but as spring has gotten closer, I've changed the plans for the boat a bit. I finally finished up the second pod. Found a good price on a 1991 40hp merc (which prompted scrapping the Jet idea) and bought a hydraulic jack plate. I still have to fabricate the mounting bracket for the tiller. But I am close to having it back on the water again.

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/102_0639.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/102_0638.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/sparkscustomboats/102_0634.jpg

 

[sparkbr]

These links should work better. The last one's were loading tiny.

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22 ... 2_0639.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22 ... 2_0638.jpg

https://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22 ... 2_0634.jpg

 

[sparkbr]

Well, it's been a long spring for this boat. It still hasn't seen water this year, but everything is finally finished (minus mounting the battery). Planning get it out this weekend and see what this setup is really capable of. I know it won't get me quite all the places the mud motor used to, but at least I'll have the speed and saftey back.

I think I'll be able to trim the motor up pleanty if I ever need to switch a prop or something.





BTW, when you get excited because the trim is finally functional, don't forget that the flywheel cover which is currently removed is also the top mount and the cap for the oil tank..... Crap.....Stupid Mercs, I should have stuck with my OMC's. lol

 

[Zum]

I'll be interested to see how it handles.
Is it hard to operate the tilt/trim with a tiller?

 

[sparkbr]

I'll be interested to see how it handles.
Is it hard to operate the tilt/trim with a tiller?

I imagine it will take a little getting used to, but I don't expect it to be too bad.

 

[crazymanme2]

I'd like to know how that tunnel works out with a prop motor & where you end up running the motor as far as height goes.
Looks great on the mods.Where did you get your jack plate & what did it set you back?

 

[sparkbr]

I'd like to know how that tunnel works out with a prop motor & where you end up running the motor as far as height goes.
Looks great on the mods.Where did you get your jack plate & what did it set you back?

Thanks. There are a hand full of plate boats around here that are running 6 inch tunnels with prop drives. About the only downside I keep hearing is that in a high speed turn, the prop will cavitate sooner as it wants to break out of the water stream. As far as where I end up running the motor, I have no idea where it's going to really like to run, I'm hoping to end up with the cav plate about 1/2"-1" above the top of the tunnel at speed (surfacing prop), then if I get into shallows, I can raise the plate and slow down to keep water to the outboard. I've thought about building a low water pickup for the motor, but I know the way I tend to run through the mud and I'd probably wind up plugging the intakes.

I bought the hydraulic jack plate off of ebay for $400 and it came with another set back plate (just like a manual jackplate, but without the onboard "jacks" on the sides. Would require a bottle jack under the motor or a lifting source to adjust up or down.) The hyd jack is a 4" setback and the extra setback plate that was included is a 6" setback. Both have 6" of vertical adjustment. Apparently both plates were on a new boat that was damaged on the lot before it ever hit the water so they decided to part out what was there.