Re: old question…mounting height for pontoon motors

[mercuryspecialist]

In quickly reviewing the propeller offerings of some manufacturers, I do not see a 4-blade available, but you likely will need a low pitch, whether being a 3-blade or 4-blade (a low pitch will be needed when the propeller is truly hooked-up). One with very large blade area, and possibly with additional cupping, maybe rolling of the blades as well. Your engine mounting is already too low apparently because of the spray, so I would not lower the mounting height (rather, it may have to be raised a little). You might consider extending the pontoon bottom by adding a plate, kind of like a trim tab, to compensate for the Panther unit’s setback, and trying to prevent the water from striking the area above the gearcase (the likely cause of the spray). I would not add a hydrofoil until I had exhausted All other means, and then only one like a plate rather than a wing in section. You may want (have) to up-size to a larger outboard which can utilize larger diameter propellers, like a 40 or 50 horsepower (and has a larger anti-ventilation plate), making better use of the tritoon design. Mercury has "Bigfoot" models where the next larger gearcase is fitted to smaller horsepower models to accomplish such an issue. Fuel economy likely will be improved by not having to run wide-open so much of the time.

Regards,
Joe