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Author Topic:   Shallow water pick up nose cones

SSCH posted 01-11-2003 10:31 AM ET (US)
Anyone have any experience with these products? Bob's Machine Shop
http://www.bobsmachine.com/bigfoot3.html
has a nose cone for the lower unit of an outboard that is said to let you pick up adequate cooling water with a jacked up engine. Look's like you could either install it yourself or have them do it.
My question is does it really work and how much trouble is it to install?
Clark Roberts posted 01-11-2003 06:07 PM ET (US)
The low water pick-up from Bob's really work and are quite simple. Water is picked up at nose of the added cone and is routed to water pump via hose. Installation is not hard but requires some filling (bondo) to make smooth surface.
SSCH posted 01-12-2003 08:10 AM ET (US)
Clark
Thanks. I was hoping this was the case. Do you have time for a few more questions?
Did you weld the cone on or just use epoxy? Could you tell me how you got the water from the new pick up into the water jacket? Obviously, the stainless hose that comes with the kit carries the water, but what do you connect to the end of the hose opposite from the cone end? My guess would be that you need to drill and tap a new fitting into the lower unit above the old water inlets. Do you then have to seal off the old inlets?
I'm building a 15 Alert into a 15 SS. My plan is to install a 70hp Yamaha on a manual jackplate (about 5 inches back and up). The goal is to run in shallow water and run fairly fast when not in that shallow stuff.
Steve
rsess1 posted 01-12-2003 08:55 AM ET (US)
Bob's will install for you if you ship him your lower unit. It's worth it and they have a reasonably priced shipping program
Montauk posted 01-12-2003 10:50 AM ET (US)
Steve,
A power jackplate might be a better choice for you. I run a CMC power jackplate on my Montauk w/90hp yammie at the top settings and still have 17 psi of water pressure at 4000 rpm. It is very important to have a water pressure gauge with this application. The power jackplate should give you more versatility in shallow water and when you want to run fast. I get the best speed set about 3" above the transom. You can also block off the top half of the present water pickups and still have plenty of water pressure. Cost of the power jack plate is about the same as a low water pick up and manual jackplate. Good luck
SSCH posted 01-12-2003 09:10 PM ET (US)
I thought about the power jack plate, but didn't want the added weight on the small boat. I also thought the complexity of that setup might cause problems. I do intend to have a water pressure gauge. I've always thought that to be an essential instrument on outboards.
I have a Bob's manual jack plate already on the hull. The Yamaha is in the shop ready to mount. Everything is waiting on me to finish my woodworking. If I go with the pickup, it will have to wait until I play with this rig for awhile.
Bigshot posted 01-13-2003 09:30 AM ET (US)
I would run it and see before I spent the $$. On that yamaha you might run that hose into the "flush" screw on the side. I would try blocking off the top half of your intake grate and play with it first. They look cool but don't do much unless you are having water issues. To gain speed from a nosecone, you have to break 70 for any measurable increases usually.
weekendwarrior posted 01-13-2003 05:09 PM ET (US)
I know nothing about these low water pickups, but looking at the kit it looks like if you were to hit something, say a sandbar, that the few little holes there would clog pretty easily. Has anyone ever had problems like this?
Bigshot posted 01-13-2003 05:18 PM ET (US)
it happens...hence the water pressure guage. Unless you are always driving with it jacked or for long periods, nosecones are not necessary, just watch the guage and maybe block off the grates some.
SSCH posted 01-13-2003 10:07 PM ET (US)
Thanks for all the info.
I'll run it without tht nose cone and see what happens on the water gauge.
John W posted 01-14-2003 11:32 AM ET (US)
From what I've heard from others, the Bob's nose cone is as good as any you can get. But I know someone who had one & said he would never do it again. The problem is, the new nose cone is not as durable as your original lower unit if you hit a sandbar, etc. He ran in very shallow water & frequently brushed sandbars, and the nose cone was more trouble than it was worth for him. When he wasn't running into the bottom, he said it worked fine.
captbone posted 01-19-2003 06:26 AM ET (US)
The best deal going is a plastic low water pick up that it held on by a bolt thru the normal water pick up. It is removable, and less than $150.00. if you dont like it, you remove it and there is no problem or holes. www.portaproducts.com

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Author	Topic: Shallow water pick up nose cones
SSCH	posted 01-11-2003 10:31 AM ET (US) Anyone have any experience with these products? Bob's Machine Shop http://www.bobsmachine.com/bigfoot3.html has a nose cone for the lower unit of an outboard that is said to let you pick up adequate cooling water with a jacked up engine. Look's like you could either install it yourself or have them do it. My question is does it really work and how much trouble is it to install?
Clark Roberts	posted 01-11-2003 06:07 PM ET (US) The low water pick-up from Bob's really work and are quite simple. Water is picked up at nose of the added cone and is routed to water pump via hose. Installation is not hard but requires some filling (bondo) to make smooth surface.
SSCH	posted 01-12-2003 08:10 AM ET (US) Clark Thanks. I was hoping this was the case. Do you have time for a few more questions? Did you weld the cone on or just use epoxy? Could you tell me how you got the water from the new pick up into the water jacket? Obviously, the stainless hose that comes with the kit carries the water, but what do you connect to the end of the hose opposite from the cone end? My guess would be that you need to drill and tap a new fitting into the lower unit above the old water inlets. Do you then have to seal off the old inlets? I'm building a 15 Alert into a 15 SS. My plan is to install a 70hp Yamaha on a manual jackplate (about 5 inches back and up). The goal is to run in shallow water and run fairly fast when not in that shallow stuff. Steve
rsess1	posted 01-12-2003 08:55 AM ET (US) Bob's will install for you if you ship him your lower unit. It's worth it and they have a reasonably priced shipping program
Montauk	posted 01-12-2003 10:50 AM ET (US) Steve, A power jackplate might be a better choice for you. I run a CMC power jackplate on my Montauk w/90hp yammie at the top settings and still have 17 psi of water pressure at 4000 rpm. It is very important to have a water pressure gauge with this application. The power jackplate should give you more versatility in shallow water and when you want to run fast. I get the best speed set about 3" above the transom. You can also block off the top half of the present water pickups and still have plenty of water pressure. Cost of the power jack plate is about the same as a low water pick up and manual jackplate. Good luck
SSCH	posted 01-12-2003 09:10 PM ET (US) I thought about the power jack plate, but didn't want the added weight on the small boat. I also thought the complexity of that setup might cause problems. I do intend to have a water pressure gauge. I've always thought that to be an essential instrument on outboards. I have a Bob's manual jack plate already on the hull. The Yamaha is in the shop ready to mount. Everything is waiting on me to finish my woodworking. If I go with the pickup, it will have to wait until I play with this rig for awhile.
Bigshot	posted 01-13-2003 09:30 AM ET (US) I would run it and see before I spent the $$. On that yamaha you might run that hose into the "flush" screw on the side. I would try blocking off the top half of your intake grate and play with it first. They look cool but don't do much unless you are having water issues. To gain speed from a nosecone, you have to break 70 for any measurable increases usually.
weekendwarrior	posted 01-13-2003 05:09 PM ET (US) I know nothing about these low water pickups, but looking at the kit it looks like if you were to hit something, say a sandbar, that the few little holes there would clog pretty easily. Has anyone ever had problems like this?
Bigshot	posted 01-13-2003 05:18 PM ET (US) it happens...hence the water pressure guage. Unless you are always driving with it jacked or for long periods, nosecones are not necessary, just watch the guage and maybe block off the grates some.
SSCH	posted 01-13-2003 10:07 PM ET (US) Thanks for all the info. I'll run it without tht nose cone and see what happens on the water gauge.
John W	posted 01-14-2003 11:32 AM ET (US) From what I've heard from others, the Bob's nose cone is as good as any you can get. But I know someone who had one & said he would never do it again. The problem is, the new nose cone is not as durable as your original lower unit if you hit a sandbar, etc. He ran in very shallow water & frequently brushed sandbars, and the nose cone was more trouble than it was worth for him. When he wasn't running into the bottom, he said it worked fine.
captbone	posted 01-19-2003 06:26 AM ET (US) The best deal going is a plastic low water pick up that it held on by a bolt thru the normal water pick up. It is removable, and less than $150.00. if you dont like it, you remove it and there is no problem or holes. www.portaproducts.com