Prop test: 4B SS PropTech SFS vs Stock 3B AL

[scutty]

Hi Everyone, I posted earlier looking for advice and got a lot of great responses. I've benefited greatly from this forum so I'm sharing my experiences here in hopes of paying back the favor. I recently upgraded my prop from a stock 3B AL 14.5 x19 to a 4B SS 14.5 x 17 PowerTech SFS with phenomenal results. I got a lot of conflicting information and after doing a ton of research I concluded there are too many variables and it is best to try a few different props. I searched high and low for a dealer that would let me test drive a SS prop. I found one. Propmd (www.propmd.com) out of Minnesota. They will let you test any number of props as long as you pay for shipping back and fourth, no restocking fee. They don't have the best prices but they are not "list" either. $30-$60 in shipping is cheap insurance on a $500-600 SS prop to ensure you get the right one. It took me two tries but I am thrilled with the results. In the end I have better hole shot, planes almost 4mph slower, the boat handles like it is on rails in the mid range, and I can't measure any reduction in top speed. It is the best money I've every wasted on a boat.

Here's the data ( 2005 Fourwinns Horizon 210, 5.0L GXiE, 1.6 SX-M, 270HP)

Performance with Stock AL VP 14.5 x19:

RPM	MPH	Slip
5000	45	20.0%
4500	40	21.0%
4000	35	22.2%
3500	30	23.8%
3000	25	25.9%
2800	23	27.0%
2600	17	41.9%

PowerTech SFS 4B 14.5 x 17
5000	45	10.6%
4500	40	11.7%
4000	36	10.6%
3500	31	12.0%
3000	26	13.9%
2800	23	18.4%
2600	20	23.5%
2400	13	46.2%

The PowerTech SFS is a smaller diameter version of their OFS prop. It is a stern lifting design with aggressively cupped blades. It is similar in design to the Merc Rev 4 but about 5 lbs lighter, no vent plugs and a bit cheaper. They can make this prop in 1" pitch increments.

Hope someone finds this helpful-

 

[dan02gt]

Nice write up. Looks like it's doing you well. I ran a SFS4 on my Stingray for a few weekends and it did pretty good overall. This only thing I didn't like was the fact it didn't have much bow lift which cost me more top speed than I cared to loose when someone rode in the bow. That was vs my Enertia. The guy I sold it to was thrilled with the performance.