Help with sonic step plate..
 

Ok Sonic owners I have a question. I have a 2001 260
Prowler. I think It was about a year ago I seen a thread about
alum.(candy purple) step plates. Im not sure if someone just made themself a nice set or if they were purchased? I would like to have a set of them for my boat. I think it ads a nice touch. Could any one help on this?
Here is a pic of mine they are hard plastic white.

http://www.eddiemarine.com/store/car...l&p=12232&c=30

26Sonic and I spearheaded having these specially made by Eddie Marine several years ago. The XL size (linked above) is what you are looking for; and just pick your color choice.

Search " Sonic step pads " for several threads to pop up.


tfarmer, didn't you live in VA? If so, when did you move to KY?

Thanks for the help I will check them out now.
I have been in Paducah, Ky. All my life. Far west of the state. We have a great place to boat. Check out kentucky lake.com
Key words: poker run, lbl, Fishing.
Thanks again,Timmy F.

They are a huge upgrade, you'll like them.

What size is used on a 358..........?

tfarmer, I must have been thinking of someone else here on the board.

Here's Johnny,
To my knowledge, they ALL use the same size pad. I measured a 26, a 28, a 31, and a 386 when I was gathering requirements. They are actually 1/16" smaller than the OE plastic pads, so as not to risk a cut into the vinyl going up the armrests. The holes are drilled in exact same locations, so you won't even have to re-drill; 5 minute install.

Some of the old posts have a bunch more info and pics.

THanks Brian..............

I ordered them to day. They will be here in a few days.
One more question. I have all my service work done for spring (oil,filter,Out drive service, fuel filters,water filter, spark plugs. all that stuff) But what im not sure of is grease fittings? I think I
was reading a thread and some guys were talking about grease fittings in or around the bellhousing area? I have the engine hatch off and it is easy to get in the back but Im not sure where to look. I didnt see any right off when I got down in there. I dont want to look over anything, Much
less a few grease fittings. The only one I could find back there was on the steering unit. Its a 496 ho mag with bravo-one.
I bought the boat used and I dont have a owners manual.
(Im not even sure if boats have manuals)
Thanks again. Timmy Farmer.

Timmy, that's better off posted in the Tech Section. Each year and model of drive and transom assembly could be different. I can only get to the grease fitting on the outside of my transom assembly.

Have you pulled your drive, and inspected (and lubed if equipped with zerks) your U-joints? While the drive is off, its an ideal time to inspect your alignment, which will require a tool from your closest Mercury Mechanic friend for about 10 minutes. You will also need a Bravo 1 Installation kit to re-install the drive. Its about $12 bucks and includes all the O/Odd-rings for the shaft and the drive to outer bellhousing fitment. Its a good idea to do this once a year.

That sounds good. I have not had it off and I Have used the boat for two seasons. I did install a new imco soprtsmaster
lower last year. But never removed the upper unit. I will do all
that next. Thanks again. Timmy.

Tim, Brian is correct, you will find a zerk with a plastic cap on the outside of your transom assembly, there are also a couple of zerks on your u-joints (when you pull your drive), additionally you will find 2 zerks inside your engine compartment for the coupler. These will be located where the drive-shaft from the outdrive is visible at the transom. There are 2 depending on which one is accessable for your grease gun. You only have to grease one of them and be sparing on the grease, 2 or 3 pumps is adequete, or you'll be slinging grease around your engine compartment. Use the Mercury sline and coupler grease(available at your dealer). Did you find any increase in performance with the Imco shorty, how much did you raise your drive and with what results. I have a 26 Prowler also with a 525 EFI. Steve

Steve. I Did not use the shorty. I think I may have messed up. Im new to power boats and
So many people told me that the shorty would through the (I think they called it the X dem) out. And the boat would not
Work at high speeds. Not knowing for sure and I didnt want to have a unit that I could not use, I ended up putting the stock
length imco on. Does this sound right to you all?
I think it slowed the boat 1mph. The power it takes to turn
the bigger parts in the imco unit. I was looking for 2mph gain
because the nosecone design. All this started when I ordered
a nose cone and pulled it out of the box and kinda set it up to the bravo-one and it looked a little funny and the low water pick up was wrong. So then I started looking at the imco replacements. Do you people think I should
Try a imco shorty? I can tell you that the cmi headers picked
it up 5mph (gps) That was Great.

/////////

Tim, A 5 MPH gain by switching to the CMI's is great! What GPS speeds are you seeing currently? As far as the lower unit I'm no expert, some boats will definitely benefit from shortening the lower case (which gives the same result as raising your X-dimension). Unfortunately it's a trial and error thing. Imco sells their lowers in different lengths (1" shorter,2" shorter) then you can space them back down by 1/2" increments to obtain the ideal location. It's always a give and take thing, raise your lower and go faster but getting on plane will be harder! I know Sonic set up some Prowlers with the ITS transom assemblies with the 500 EFI engine. The ITS combines Mercury hydraulic steering with a set-back of around 8". I don't know if Sonic changed the x-dimension for those boats from the standard location. Has anyone tried a shorty on a standard Bravo Prowler and with what results? Tim, you'll definitely like those step plates from Eddies, much nicer than the plastic "dirt magnets". Steve

Steve. I need to find someone that has a shorty that I can test with. I will Have to keep my eyes open around the lake and
see what people have laying around. As for speed it runs
66-67 with 1/2 or more fuel, all supplys, 2 people.:(:(
496 ho mag. 150 unit, 24 4blade. I think @ 4900 rpm.
The boat is very heavy. Its worth it to have all the room that the prowler offers. I would like the boat to run 75 or 80 but
im not sure if theres enough hull there. I think you would run out of boat. What top speeds are you prowler owners getting?
Timmy.