Lake Tahoe Cobalts

[cvx16]

Interesting. I’ve been boating my whole life and have driven dozens of different boat all over. My R7 is the quickest “on plane” boat I’ve ever owned, and I don’t think it’s all power related. I do know what he’s talking about, as I’ve been in the situation myself, you’re right there, and make a slight turn (and usually back) and the boat planes. That said it was just a quicker way to get there, those loaded boats I was driving would’ve gotten there with time I think.

Many times we’d shift people from back to front getting on plane quicker, any trick in the book. Usually driving my dads boat.

There is also the water conditions. Tahoe is usually not flat, and each wave delays the outcome.

Sounds like you had a good time though, and that’s all that matters in the end.

Yes, shifting the human load to the bow was necessary for getting on plane for tubing and wakeboarding. And now that you mention it, I do think the design of the 25SC may have something to do with it too. It has a slight pickle fork front design. Nice wide bow on the interior, but I bet it's just a little bit extra surface area drag when getting on plane, more so than a nice sharp V-hull.

And yes, good time for sure!

[cvx16]

West Coast Boats in Rocklin usually refers people to the propeller shop that I go to in Ventura CA.

This is their website. It's also where I buy my propellers since they have the best price.

https://www.valleypropellerservice.com/

Thanks, I'll give them a shout and see what they say.

I'm curious about the new Sharrow Marine props and if I would gain enough with it, but $5k for a prop is a little steep! https://sharrowmarine.com/

[bruceb58]

Like I said before in my previous post, I am 3" less pitch than a sea level prop. My boat pops up on plane in seconds with 6 adults on board. Sounds like you had a LOT more people and you only dropped 2". Also...we have duo propped boats. That makes a SIGNIFICANT difference as well.

When you changed props, you also increased a little diameter even though you dropped pitch...that's going to hurt you a little bit as well so you didn't really drop equivalent 2". Not sure what material that second prop was. You said steel but there is no such thing as a steel prop.

On a previous carb'd boat, I didn't drop any pitch and had to do the everyone in the front game every time. I also never reached my WOT RPM range. Really bad for the engine and since I was only up in Tahoe a week or two at a time, I didn't worry about it. Once I retired and left the boat in year round, I was about ready to get another set of props and re-jet the carb and I ended up selling it and buying the Cobalt.

Bryan at Valley Propellors knows everything about props. He will talk your ear off if you let him. I go there in person and I am there for at least an hour when I go there. Super nice guy.

[carrera]

Just logging in to see updates on this thread...bummer your outboard is having issues at the 6200 ft altitude here. Hope you can figure out a solution! Beautiful boat...I have never seen a Cobalt outboard up here so far...will look for yours!

[cvx16]

Just logging in to see updates on this thread...bummer your outboard is having issues at the 6200 ft altitude here. Hope you can figure out a solution! Beautiful boat...I have never seen a Cobalt outboard up here so far...will look for yours!

Thanks. We're back in San Diego now, but hope to get back up to Tahoe again soon.

Funny you mention not seeing Cobalts with outboards up there. I must have heard that same comment a dozen times while there!

[Lifelongbtr]

Anyone on Tahoe have the bottom of the boat cleaned at a marina, and if so, which one? I would like to do this sooner than I pull the boat out for the season (even though its late).

[bruceb58]

Anyone on Tahoe have the bottom of the boat cleaned at a marina, and if so, which one? I would like to do this sooner than I pull the boat out for the season (even though its late).

It's very easy to do yourself with some oxalic acid and a garden sprayer. You can buy it on eBay or Amazon.

Just so you know, boats moored on the lake don't have the issue that boats in the Keys do so many marinas never have to deal with it.

[Bull0080]

Hello everybody! I regretfully lost my rear center cushion while burning some gas this weekend please keep an eye out on the East shore… It’s white with a red stripe. Cobalt 263. I’m heading out there today for a scouting mission.