Originally Posted by
Fluid
Actually, the “water blast” pickup is one of the draggiest around, and one of the least efficient. The speed of the water coming off the prop is higher than that of the pond passing under the boat and it hits most of the tube, not just the end. This causes a lot of extra drag.
Too, the water which hits it is full of air, and foamy water in the motor jacket is a poor conductor of heat. It “works” but few (if any) top SAW boats use it anymore. Many have no water pickup at all, I haven’t used one for four years.
IME the two “best” pickups are 1) the rudder and 2) flush-mounted fittings on the hull bottom. The rudder is easiest and very good.
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