Perfect Pass installation question

[Mattercraft]

Where do I mount the paddlewheel? This pic looks like I should mount it in this hole in the hull. Is this the right location or should I mount it in front of this hole? The boat is a 2001 X-star.

[BrianM]

Perfect Pass install instructions say:

"V-drive/wakeboard boats The paddle is typically installed in front of the engine, just behind the gas tank. (This area is generally accessible from the engine compartment or under rear seat) It is installed typically 7-8 inches off center, clear of any strake in the hull, depth sounders, etc"
That hole that is already in the boat looks way to far forward.

[André]

Looks quite big for a paddle wheel hole.
Glad you got yours first so we can all learn! LOL

[G-man]

I don't think that is correct place for the paddle wheel. You could get turbulance from the shape of hull there.

[east tx skier]

I don't care how easy everybody says it is, you guys who drill the holes yourselves are brave. :popcorn:

[André]

By the way Doug,where's your paddle wheel?
Front of engine 8 inches right of the centerline is what i heard for Prostar of our generation.
What do you all think?

[MasterMason]

I don't care how easy everybody says it is, you guys who drill the holes yourselves are brave. :popcorn:


I have to agree with Doug on this one, I might install everything else, but someone who knows what there doing is going to have to drill the hole in the bottom of my boat when the PP arrives.

[east tx skier]

By the way Doug,where's your paddle wheel?
Front of engine 8 inches right of the centerline is what i heard for Prostar of our generation.
What do you all think?

Daryl Moore Marine did a bit better with the perfect pass install than the bimini. :D

The paddle wheel is approximately 8" starboard of centerline.

If you look in your bilge, it's probably just forward of the motor mounts (on the side behind the driver's seat). I'll try to take a picture of it, but what you're saying sounds about right if my boat is any example.

If I had it to do over again, I probably would've just gone with the PP Plus system and added a magnet sensor. The speed settings are basically useless for slalom, although it says you can use them for open water skiing, but I found that to be too jerky.

[BrianM]

Oh come on guys! :rolleyes: If you measure twice this is a super simple thing to do. It is no harder to drill a hole in the bottom of the boat than it is in a scrap piece of wood. Just do it!

What is the worst that could happen? You put it in the wrong place and have to have a fiberglass guy make a repair. :eek3: It is on the bottom of the boat and you will never be able to tell.

For all of you that just got the systems don't let Doug and MasterMason psych you out. Its easy..................:twocents:

[André]

I plan to do it myself for sure.
Setting the dawn thing seems to be the hard part!

[MasterMason]

For all of you that just got the systems don't let Doug and MasterMason psych you out. Its easy..................:twocents:


I am not trying to psych anyone out, if your comfortable doing it, you should. I just am not. Personal preference. And then again, once I have it in my hands I may change my mind as well.

[ski_king]

As long as you are absolutly sure on the location, I dont see a problem.
Check and double check location before drilling.

I like drilling and cutting holes in expensive things. I once used a chain saw to cut a 6 ft. x 6 ft. hole in the side of my house.

[MasterMason]

As long as you are absolutly sure on the location, I dont see a problem.
Check and double check location before drilling.

I like drilling and cutting holes in expensive things. I once used a chain saw to cut a 6 ft. x 6 ft. hole in the side of my house.


I was cutting a wall out one time to put in sliding mirror doors with a skill saw. For some un known reason whoever built the house ran an electric line around the corner from the box and up the other wall. when I cut the line it turned the line I had the saw plugged into into 220 and fried the saw right in my hand. Knocked me on my a$$ but luckly also knocked the saw out of my hand.

[Mattercraft]

Heres another shot of that recessed hole in the hull(photo 1). My problem is that it is in the perfect location for the paddlewheel. The transducer for the depth finder is just in front of this recess(photo 2). I'd mount it on the starboard side, but the water intake is there.

[east tx skier]

For me, the install cost of $160 sounded better than possibly having to mess with a glass shop later. I've had bad luck with hole saws and am not afraid to admit it.

For the record, I'm not trying to psych anyone out of doing it. I referred to them as "brave." That's a compliment. I am, however, not so brave. Anybody with a video camera, run tape.

Now where's that popcorn.

[Leroy]

Sure this is in the instructions, but be sure to use masking tape or some tape on the outside so you don't splinter the fiberglass as you drill through. Watched the guy do mine and it didn't look hard at all.
Front row seats right Doug! :popcorn:

[BrianM]

For all of you that just got the systems don't let Doug and MasterMason psych you out. Its easy

Tex and Master,

Hope neither of you took any offence to the above remark. Did not mean it that way just trying to rib those of you that are a little more conservative than myself :D

Everyone Else,

If you want to double check location on your specific boat just call PP. I wanted to double check that my location was going to be far enough away from the tracking fins. They said OK so I took the saw to it:eek: .

Have fun. Measure a couple of four times and have someone else do the same. If all seems good after that it probably is..................

[east tx skier]

None taken at all here! I took it as ribbing. All in fun.

Question. When using a hole saw, am I correct that its good to run it in reverse a bit first to get the groove going? I tried to use one last weekend to cut a hole in the back of a stereo cabinate. If you saw the mess I made of that 1/4" piece of wood, you'd understand why I wouldn't cut a hole in my boat. :eek:

[Lake_Tippy_Skier]

Sure this is in the instructions, but be sure to use masking tape or some tape on the outside so you don't splinter the fiberglass as you drill through. Watched the guy do mine and it didn't look hard at all.
Front row seats right Doug! :popcorn:

if you run the drill in reverse, it'll still cut through your gelcoat, and it won't chip that way. that was the advice i received from monster tower for installing thier mounts :twocents:

[MasterMason]

No offense taken here, I freely admit to being chicken when I am. :) On the other hand, it might be left over tramatization from my dad whacking a hole in my brand new jeep when I was 22 so we could put a radio antena on it.... some deep seated aversion to poking holes in things I just spent lots of money on

[kskib046]

I have prostar 205v, and called a local dealer a couple months ago for the current paddle wheel placement on 205vs. The recessed part that is in your pictures is NOT where the paddle wheel was installed.

[Brent]

Mine is installed 8" to the side of the drain hole! honestly if your just slaloming it really does not add much, except for me keeping a constant speed for my 9 year old daughter (skiing or tubing).

[east tx skier]

Yeah, what Brent said. My memory was off on the location. Here's a picture.

[east tx skier]

Here's a quick shot of the servo motor mount.

/sorry when I start snapping pictures, I just can't stop.

[NSXBill]

Maybe I missed it. What on earth IS that recess in the picture for (on the 205V)?

[NSXBill]

Here's a quick shot of the servo motor mount.

/sorry when I start snapping pictures, I just can't stop.
Nice shiney new carb, Doug. I thought your sig said something about a new manifold. Is the new one in your pics?

[east tx skier]

Thanks. Yes it is in the picture, but I painted it black before the install, so unless you're up close, you have to look a little harder for the "Edelbrock" label.

/come to think of it, there are 3 new things like cherries on top of my old engine. I hate how the rust spots show up in flash pictures.

[east tx skier]

Just a quick little note. When you guys install your servo motor, don't forget to tighten the hex screw on the side of the knob along the recessed surface of the metal post to which it attaches. Mine was left loose and tended to fall off. The result of this is a loss of throttle control (always happened at idle for me. For a while, I didn't know there was a tightening screw on there, so I mounted it more horizontal (knob up). This put the throttle cable in a higher position causing it to get a little chewed by the engine shroud. I finally tightened the screw and moved my servo mount back to semi vertical. Of course, I have no engine shroud to mess with anymore due to my low clearance, but figured I'd share.

Don't overtighten it!