Prop help for Suzi DF140?

[onchoryncus]

I have a 19' Arima Sea Chaser (walk around cuddy). Normal operating boat weight is around 2800 lbs, ie: hull, people, motors, fuel, gear, ect....

Currently I am running a stock 14"x19Px3BL aluminum prop at 6300 WOT on a 2008 DF140. The boat planes easily but the prop feels like it isn't holding as well as it should at cruise, then breaks loose on accelleration. Top speed is good at 37-39 mph depending on currents/tides. I am looking for more lift and grip for better cruise performance and would like to at least keep my top speed.

Also.....I tried a Powertech PTR 13.5"x18Px4BL and it pushed the rev limiter at 6600 rpms and 400 rpms over the recomended range. The prop just wasn't enough dia for the motor and would break loose on all accellerations and it gave the same or worse slip numbers than the stock aluminum 3 blade????

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks, Shane

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Prop help for Suzi DF140?

BOTH props 'break loose' ?

How high is your motor mounted?

With the motor trimmed level, where is the A/V Plate in relation to the boat bottom?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop help for Suzi DF140?

It is very likely not the diameter that is the problem. I'd look to setup (engine height) as the previous poster suggests. Some props work well at high engine settings, but none of them can work correctly if the setup is too high. You also run the risk of losing water pressure. Both props blowing out suggests it's not a prop issue.

 

[onchoryncus]

Re: Prop help for Suzi DF140?

I previously had a 150 Mercury mounted with the bottom of the AV plate running just under an 1-1/2 above the bottom of the hull. On this setup I had an Enertia prop which performed really good for me, so when I had the Suzuki installed I asked them to mount it so the AV plate would be at the same height.

I understand that I should see some blowout at that height slamming the throttle down from cruise speed/trim angles to full speed, but the PTR especially took a few seconds to hook up even trimed way in.

I had the 150 mounted 1 hole lower at first and it had some extreme trim angles and at wot would max out the trim gauge way before the motor would hit top speed without an increase in rpm.

Shane

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Prop help for Suzi DF140?

Motor is mounted too high, remount one hole lower.

Cover up the trim gauge.

You may lose a small amount of top speed but regain a lot of prop hook up.

At your current mounting I'd be willing to bet that you've lost prop hook in high speed evasive maneuvering, i.e., log collision avoidance, the boat would 'slide' wide instead of carve a tight turn.

 

[onchoryncus]

Re: Prop help for Suzi DF140?

I have an overhead hoist that I used to raise the Mercury, I should be able to lower the suzuki one hole no problem. It looks like it will put the top of the AV plate around a 1/2 inch above the hull.

I only have the stock prop at this time, what 3 or 4 blade stainless prop whould you guys recomend for good lift, bite, and speed?

Shane