single vs dual prop?

[nlcrysler]

I have a 19 pitch SS High Five prop on my 2000 Campion Allante 565 VRi 19.5 ft. bowrider, with a 5.0L, 220 hp Mercrusier engine. It runs great and performs with no problems. I'm looking to sell this boat and possibly purchase a 2015 Larson LSR 2100 (bowrider), with a 5.0L, 260hp. I will have a choice of props to put on this.
My question is this: is a dual prop system better than a single SS 19 pitch prop?
If so, what combination of dual props would be best with this type of boat configuration? I saw a 4 blade/3 blade combo on one.
The Larson weighs about 2700 lbs.
My Campion would be slightly less at around 2500 lbs.

Any help on choices would be appreciated and all feedback would be useful when it comes time to made decisions.
Thanks

 

[flyingscott]

Sorry i didn't see you were buying new. Definitely if the price is not an issue go duo prop and you know there are no underwater obstacles where you boat. . The dealer should be able to recommend the correct prop set-up for that.

 

[bruceb58]

I would never have a single prop again on a boat but my boats are typically 24' or longer. You get better hole shot and the boat is easier to maneuver at idle speeds especially when docking.

The drawback is of course you have 2 props that can get hit and a stainless duo-prop set on a Volvo is $1400 or more. The drive itself will also add a significant amount to the boat price.

What does the 2015 boat have on it currently?

 

[nlcrysler]

The new 2015 Larson does not have a prop on right now, you can choose what to put on.
If I go duo-prop, should they both be SS for best results or does it matter that way?

As to the correct/best configuration of duo-props, I would trust this forum over the dealer, as people in here know more - have had more experience than any dealer out there!
Thanks for your responses so far.

 

[flyingscott]

The new 2015 Larson does not have a prop on right now, you can choose what to put on.
If I go duo-prop, should they both be SS for best results or does it matter that way?

As to the correct/best configuration of duo-props, I would trust this forum over the dealer, as people in here know more - have had more experience than any dealer out there!
Thanks for your responses so far.

What drive is on it you cannot just put duoprops on anything. If it is a single prop drive thats all you can put on it.

 

[jkust]

I'll chime in on this one...I've got a Bravo 1 single prop set up on my boat which was about a grand less than the Bravo 3 on the option list. Given I have a 300hp engine which is the max power an Alpha 1 could handle where the Alpha 1 was the lowest option available, I wished I had the Bravo 3. Glad to have the Bravo technology over the Alpha, but would like the benefits of the dual props.
The low speed bow wander with the B1 is annoying on my current boat where as the B3 would not allow it to wander as much as it does. I would take the larger engine always over the optional B3 if for example my budget was constrained and couldn't have both. The up shot is you can slap a B3 lower on a B1 Upper if one was really inclined. My issues I think could be mitigated with a different prop but still, the B3 ignoring cost is the way to go performance wise.

 

[bruceb58]

The new 2015 Larson does not have a prop on right now, you can choose what to put on.
If I go duo-prop, should they both be SS for best results or does it matter that way?

As to the correct/best configuration of duo-props, I would trust this forum over the dealer, as people in here know more - have had more experience than any dealer out there!
Thanks for your responses so far.

You need to know what drive is on there. You can't just slap 2 props on a drive built for one. If it has a Merc Alpha on it, you are out of luck and single prop only.

 

[nlcrysler]

Thanks for the feedback. I am looking into which drive is on this unit. Apparently, the Larson rep, who my "salesman" talked to suggested it would take a duo-prop setup no problem, and gave the benefits of such a feature, but I am still getting this clarified.

So, jkust am I to understand that the duo-prop provides better steering at low speeds - therefore no more bow swing while docking, per se????

 

[jkust]

Thanks for the feedback. I am looking into which drive is on this unit. Apparently, the Larson rep, who my "salesman" talked to suggested it would take a duo-prop setup no problem, and gave the benefits of such a feature, but I am still getting this clarified.

So, jkust am I to understand that the duo-prop provides better steering at low speeds - therefore no more bow swing while docking, per se????

Yes, the counter rotating dual props take the bow wander away but they let you have far more control when at low speed (lower than the speed you are at when talking about low speed bow wander) around docks. The bow doesn't wander when at dock speeds no matter what prop you have really whereby you are just hoping to have some control when moving very slowly. You can tell a dual prop set up because they can get their larger cruisers and larger bowriders into spots and maneuver so well, you know they are running dual props. Dual props may rob you of a bit of top end but who really runs wot very long anyway when taking chop into consideration. I see the differences every weekend on our lake when frequenting one of the resorts for dinner.

 

[harleyman1975]

Also Dual prop gives much better holeshot (like 50% better).

 

[jkust]

Also Dual prop gives much better holeshot (like 50% better).

I'd actually like to see a real world comparison on how much better the dp's are. Would be interesting. My boat was sold almost exclusively with an Alpha 1 or a B3 as the option...I have the rare B1 option. Would love to see two of the same boats with the same net pitch and engine side by side. You can get deals on prop sets for the DP set up on Ebay as well for a spare set given the cost is a lot more for DP's

 

[nlcrysler]

Thank you for all the info. I found out this boat has an Alpha One drive, therefore will only take a single prop. If I buy this boat, I then have to decide on what prop to put on!?

 

[bruceb58]

Would love to see two of the same boats with the same net pitch and engine side by side.

I know a few people with Volvos that changed their lower to duo and were amazed at the difference. Getting up on plane is the biggest difference.

Like I said before, I will never buy a single prop boat again.

 

[jkust]

I know a few people with Volvos that changed their lower to duo and were amazed at the difference. Getting up on plane is the biggest difference.

Like I said before, I will never buy a single prop boat again.

My hole shot is pretty fantastic with my 17 inch mirage plus...super aggressive prop though but I could bow wander in a circle if I let it....sometimes left and sometimes right.
How you aren't supposed to constantly correct the wheel for the bow wander because it should ultimately go in a zig zag but still straight course, my boat needs that correction but only some of the time for some reason.

 

[bruceb58]

My duo-prop boat has zero wander And I am pretty sure it has a deeper V than your boat. A duo-prop would get up on plane faster in your boat no matter what prop you had on it. The claim is 30% faster and I believe it.

 

[jkust]

double post

 

[jkust]

My duo-prop boat has zero wander And I am pretty sure it has a deeper V than your boat. A duo-prop would get up on plane faster in your boat no matter what prop you had on it. The claim is 30% faster and I believe it.

How could it not I suppose given it has two props....I'm running a 20 degree deadrise. Top end on my boat was tested at 58.8mph but with dual props....I've got to think the single prop should add something to that number...meaning some sort of advantage over the DP.
Op on your prop selection, because you need a spare prop to keep with you, you can immediately buy two different props and test between both of those.