help me

[pede thing]

I have a Cracker box and I need to drop a engine in it. What I need help with is do I want to use a engine with a clutch or one without.. does it matter?
if it helps i am using a weed wacker engine not one made for boats

Thx
Ryan

[CFRACR]

Well, thats totally up to you. A clutch will allow the boat to idle sitting still.
If you like that option then you want a clutch. A weedwacker has a clutch (or should have) so your set!
I would think it would be easier to have a clutch if this is your first boat & with a weedwacker engine. The higher performance gassers don't come with a clutch, they have to be added. (with some difficulty for some)

[pede thing]

Thank you CFRACR I sent you a pm with a few more questions.

- Would a clutchless engine have greater acceleration
- Would a clutchless have more top speed due to there not being power loss in the case of the clutch sliping
- Is what I am saying going to be such a small deal its pointless

Eaither way I have 5 engines and 2 of them are without clutchs.

Thx
Ryan

[Doubledog]

- Would a clutchless engine have greater acceleration ?

In my opinion after having ran both ways.... No. The clutch engages just like your weedwacker. Give it some revs & it starts twirling. Or shoot the juice to it & it takes off.

Depends how you prop it too. Some props hook up like mad on the take off and some rev a little but gain better as the speed comes on. My best top end prop rev's to the moon while coming on plane (with a clutch) from a dead stop. Once about half throttle its a rocket no matter how much you give it.


- Would a clutchless have more top speed due to there not being power loss in the case of the clutch sliping ?

If the clutch is slipping replace it. The shoes are cheap (5 bucks or so). I've got a clutch with three years on it and its showing almost no signs of wear. When it gets dunked, thats another question.

Speed? You're gaining about a pound by running the clutch. This makes the CG different with each way you run w/ or w/o and the hull will handle differently. Get one setup with the clutch & you'll see about the same speeds. Like we've said a lot of times, you can't see a 3-5 mph difference when the numbers move high. Only makes for good bench racing and bigger ego's with the GPS numbers or timed course.

- Is what I am saying going to be such a small deal its pointless?

No. Experiment & have fun. You ask 100 people what they think & you get 100 different opinions. Most likely none will be what a person wants to hear. Do what you feel will work for you. If it don't, then you can always change it and have a learning experience from it. (oh & share with us)

Best Regards.
DD

[pede thing]

Thank you for answering my questions... at the moment I have no more so untill then have fun

Ryan

[Burkey1000]

Only my view, ive ran both, with clutch and without cluch, and would say without the clutch they are quicker top end and off the mark, almost 700rpm difference without the clutch and quicker to launch, and less weight, clutches are heavy things, if its max speed and power, dont go with a clutch.