Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

[Kymasabe]

Well, under the advice of prop people smarter than me, I sanded the crap off the bottom of my boat. I also had the local shop that did my diagnosis and told me that my boat was running at 7000 rpms....well, I had them install a tach in the dash. Turns out, the boat is running 23.9mph at 5400 rpm's. I may be able to get a little more speed and a few more rpm's out of it but it's breaking up at WOT, feels like something caught in a carb jet, is going back for repair tomorrow. Pics of the bottom sanded coming soon, after tomorrows rain.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

Kymasabe, I am sure that Spike will agree with me that we are getting much closer to having your boat running right. Hopefully they will have your motor running right shortly and we can see how it is doing then.



H

 

[steelespike]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

I agree;
Couldn't remember exactly what we were dealing with but think I have it now.
Looks like sanding smoothed things out and prop has a better grip.
Get the motor up to par and we can tweak things a little H will have it singing.
The turning point should allow maximum height and fight off ventilation.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

OK, got the boat back from the shop today, got the WOT problem fixed, had a trigger problem, trigger replaced and now running 100%.
Latest sea trial says: running at 26.3 mph at 5700 rpm's, 5 gallons fuel on board, no passengers, just 270 lbs of me, trolling motor, two batteries, rod/reel and small tackle box.
I'd still like to squeeze a little more speed out of it if I could, do you think going to a 4-blade prop would be better or stick to the aluminum 10&1/8thx13 3-blade Turning Point Rascal that's on it now?
Reminder: 1995 Starcraft Seafarer 14 DLX aluminum boat, side console, 14.5 feet, aprox 450 lbs.
1995 Mercury 25hp 2-stoke outboard. 2.25x1 gear ratio.
Please let me know what the equation says would be my best choice of a prop and pitch.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

kymasabe, we are doing better than we were, so now before we make any more decisions let's get as much as we can out of this prop.

Right now we have a prop slip of right at 16%, and that is borderline in my opinion, so let's raise the motor up 1" higher and see if we can"t get a little more speed and lower our prop slip some more.

Prop Slip

I also need to know is this going to be your NORMAL load you carry on the boat or not.



H

 

[steelespike]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

With your weight and 2 batteries you may be very close to your max speed.
You might try moving the batteries forward a little just to test ;maybe the area of your console or a battery and gas tank.You might try moving yourself back first even if just at arms length or perhaps forward this may tell you if you need to move weight around.You might play with the trim.
Its unusual for a Turning point to have slip issues.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

HWSIII, raising the motor is not a problem, new jack plate, up is easy. I can't get it any lower though if we should need to lower it but I'll raise it on inch this weekend and report back new readings. Regarding weight load: About half the time the boat will have the load I mentioned, other half the time will have aprox 150lbs more (kid, cooler, and additional rod).

Steelespike, trolling motor is bow mounted and the battery for it is in the most-forward storage compartment in the bow. Starting battery and two 6-gallon fuel tanks are behind me, directly under the outboard.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

Kymasabe, under those guidelines move the motor up 1.5" then instead of just 1".



h

 

[steelespike]

Re: Hey Prop Guru's, my latest report of progress so far.

If you are near the stern with 2 tanks and a battery I figure thats about 400 in the rear portion of the boat.Could be dragging the tail a little.Probably won't amount to much but easy to move the tanks just to get an idea maybe temporarily next to you or just ahead.You probably don't need to move anything as far as the bow.