Deck Boat Prop Recommendation - HighFivew?

Joined
May 31, 2016
Messages
17
Alright, lake report:

WOW!!!

That definitely fixed it! Boat practically JUMPS out of the water now! Out of the water under 4 seconds, easy. Motor sounds healthier and is running WOT of about 45 MPH @ 4800 RPM. So I picked up MASSIVE acceleration and 5 MPH on the top-end, too.

Amazing what a huge difference it has.

The only thing that sucks is with this 1.47:1 gear box, they don't make hardly any props in a numerically lower pitch than what I have now. I guess I just worry about that in case I go boating at a higher altitude than what I am now, I won't be able to compensate with a prop.

Then again, at 6500 feet, probably not a lot of bodies of water that qualify.

Maybe a gear change is down the road?
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
1,518
Wow! Nice results. I wouldnt change a thing. 45 is great speed too.
 
Joined
May 31, 2016
Messages
17
Wow! Nice results. I wouldnt change a thing. 45 is great speed too.

No kidding. I was talking to my girlfriend about this yesterday on the ride home from the lake. I said, "You know, if we put some trim tabs on it, we could get up on plane even faster!"

She looked at me, sighed, then said, "Honey, can't you just be satisfied with the boat for a week or two?"

And with that prop change, yes, I can...
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
GF may hate me, but... with properly adjusted trim tabs the prop and Drive are freed from any lifting duties so to speak, and then the drive trim can be used to solely to fine tune and adjust the angle of attack for even better cruising. If she asks then I didn't say it.
 
Joined
May 31, 2016
Messages
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GF may hate me, but... with properly adjusted trim tabs the prop and Drive are freed from any lifting duties so to speak, and then the drive trim can be used to solely to fine tune and adjust the angle of attack for even better cruising. If she asks then I didn't say it.

Would my ability to plane benefit from trim tabs?

I also read somewhere that trim tabs "ruin" the wake for water sports, particularly wakeboarding - any truth to that?

Would you recommend smart tabs or user adjustable?
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Well, ok, I'm goin' in but need immunity :lol:


Just my opinions here, based on light experience and heavy reading....

Would my ability to plane benefit from trim tabs?
Yes. Would hit plane sooner and be able to maintain at slower speeds

I also read somewhere that trim tabs "ruin" the wake for water sports, particularly wakeboarding - any truth to that?
I have read that, and the wake will probably change, no idea how good or bad for watersports.

Would you recommend smart tabs or user adjustable?
Purely subjective here, my trim tab expertise is on the smaller boats, but IMO Boats up to 20-22 feet probably could benefit from just the smart tabs type. Right there and bigger then pilot adjustable would be well worth it.
 
Joined
May 31, 2016
Messages
17
Well, ok, I'm goin' in but need immunity :lol:


Just my opinions here, based on light experience and heavy reading....

Would my ability to plane benefit from trim tabs?
Yes. Would hit plane sooner and be able to maintain at slower speeds

I also read somewhere that trim tabs "ruin" the wake for water sports, particularly wakeboarding - any truth to that?
I have read that, and the wake will probably change, no idea how good or bad for watersports.

Would you recommend smart tabs or user adjustable?
Purely subjective here, my trim tab expertise is on the smaller boats, but IMO Boats up to 20-22 feet probably could benefit from just the smart tabs type. Right there and bigger then pilot adjustable would be well worth it.
Just did some quick reading on another forum. If you leave the tab in the full "UP" position, they have little/no effect on the wake.

That would tend to rule out Smart Tabs, however. Oh well, I'm a big fan of having control, lol.
 

Maclin

Admiral
Joined
May 27, 2007
Messages
6,761
Nauticus has an optional trim plate retractor bracket available, I have heard others use that to make the trim tabs ineffecutal. You have to get around back in the water or on the trailer and flip a lever on the optional bracket that changes the geometry and moves the tab up out of the water.


nauticus pr500 tab retractor bracket.jpg
 

SkiDad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
1,518
i wouldn't be putting those on my new boat unless I had a problem. That 4 blade should allow you to stay on plane about 18 mph. 4 seconds is pretty good. My boat will plane in 3 seconds and I can pull 2 slalom skiers up, wakeboard is hardly any pull compared to that.
 

ron nh

Cadet
Joined
Sep 19, 2014
Messages
27
Isn't it amazing that someone who sells boats for a living has absolutely no clue what the hell he's talking about. Every time I buy a boat or car I research it pretty well, But a week of research should leave me knowing less than them, That's never the case.
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
13,674
Alright, lake report:

WOW!!!

That definitely fixed it! Boat practically JUMPS out of the water now! Out of the water under 4 seconds, easy. Motor sounds healthier and is running WOT of about 45 MPH @ 4800 RPM. So I picked up MASSIVE acceleration and 5 MPH on the top-end, too.

Amazing what a huge difference it has.

The only thing that sucks is with this 1.47:1 gear box, they don't make hardly any props in a numerically lower pitch than what I have now. I guess I just worry about that in case I go boating at a higher altitude than what I am now, I won't be able to compensate with a prop.

Then again, at 6500 feet, probably not a lot of bodies of water that qualify.

Maybe a gear change is down the road?

I think the dealer should have exchanged the outdrive for one with a higher numerical ratio at the time of sale. You did tell him you were using it at high altitude?
 
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