SS prop for 40 hp???

[Patfromny]

Thanks for the input silvertip. This is driving me a bit up the wall.

At this point I'm trying to just get it into the rpm range suggested by evinrude. The problem is, their 13.75 x 13 isn't cupped and their 13.5 x 15 is cupped. That puts the motor 800 rpms away from prop to prop. I am disappointed that evinrude doesn't have either a 13.75 15 or a 13.5 13. Or at least they could have made them cupped or uncupped. A bone head move by evinrude if you ask me. There is nothing in between. The boat has been in the water a total or 5 days this year and my brother just washed it yesterday, I just restored the boat including floatation (closed cell), transom, floors, console supports, seat bottoms, etc. and new paint. The motor has no error codes on the computer and it leaves super hard with either prop. The 13 pitch brings it to 6000 and the 15 cupped brings it to 5200. I really just need a prop that is somewhere In between these two. To tell you the truth, there should be two props inbetween these. An 800 rpm drop from evinrude 765181 to 765182 isn't exceptable. From what I was told yesterday by a prop guy is that these etecs and the large gear cases, he is finding that the gearing isn't enough. He said the problem is if I want an etec, I need to be real close to the Max hp range of the boat, which is 90. The lake is a 40 hp max so... he said the older 40's have a smaller lower unit with, i guess higher gearing, and that they will run circles around my etec.

 

[82rude]

In my manual it stat..es 40 etec as having a wot range of 5000-6000.If the 13p gets you to 6000 that's the one id use.You cannot in any way compare your set up to some other one as yours is unique in that your more than 50 percent underpowered!All things being equal your etec will out muscle any old 40 omc period.My 60 will only get mid 30,s but its on a boat rated for 85hp so I know it will not preform as well as if it was on a hull rated for 60.Again don't try to compare your setup to others as your doing yourself and your motor a disservice.The only setups you can compare against would be the same as yours ,50 percent underpowered,all other comparisons are wrong and useless!Remember one thing Patfromny the prop mfg or evinrude are testing props on boats close to or exactly in the hp rating not 50 percent less.Icant stress it enough that the size of motor vs rating is a game changer and basically changes the rules .

 

[Sea Rider]

The explanation given by 82rude describes perfectly what's happening with underpowered OB's.

With such a underpowered OB just expect top "limited" water performance. Go for the prop that achieves full wot 6 K revs with you alone, trim OB for combo to ride parallel to water level, add one boater at a time till wot revs drops to middle wot rpm. Once there, that's your "best limited performance range" for that combo. Adding more load or boaters as well will put wot rpm towards the lug zone which is not good as this will stress the OB more than riding at middle wot rpm range.

Bear in mind that all what's suggested is while boating at full hammer down if wanting to reach your fishing spot fast. Being propped right at 6 K, can use less throttle if liking. Operating OB in the max to middle wot rpm is the best you can do for your underpowerd OB.

This case resembles mine, ride a very underpowered OB for my size boat, that's why have limited max carying capacity to max 3 boaters while ridding at full hammer down in the middle wot range.

Happy Boating

 

[Patfromny]

I could get any 90's 40 into the power range on my boat. I had my 78 35 in the power range on my boat. That is even more underpowered. I understand what you guys are saying but this is crazy. Three of us who can't get into the power band and that's ok? Sounds like a big problem. I would bet you that if pontoons weren't so popular and everyone was riding around on boats like mine. Just like in the 70's or 80's that evinrude would be close to broke. Or they would be offering a wider variety of props. There are a lot of people that don't max out there boats. Just look at CL and try and buy a starcraft that doesn't have a 25 hp on it :lol: . I'm not a fan of technology for technologies sake. If this doesn't work I will move on. I don't want to ride around at 6000 and less speed but I also dont want it to bog down with too many people. Evinrude has screwed the pooch if you guys are both excepting less then optimal. You guys both spent alot of money and for what, marginal performance? I'm sorry but that isn't exceptable. When the proper propeller is all it would take to get you into the range. 82rude, I think a 60 on a hull rated for 85 is close enough to the max HP that you should be able to zone that thing in. Do you really need to be spot on the hp rating to get a prop? Really? I say we all move over to the dark side. Mercury is waiting with open arms. Maybe I'll write a letter to evinrude and change the world. Or just start my engine hunt anew. I'm not gonna leave the engine on the back because it looks pretty and I can get computer printouts. Something about lipstick on a pig comes to mind. Give me an old beat up looking engine that I can actually prop and I'd be happy.

My search for a prop does continue. I bought one from tenn. That should hit the lake today and my brother is trying to chase down a 14 x 15 that the marina wants him to try. After that I think i am out of ideas. I guess I might have to return my etec hat and windbreaker. Lol

 

[Patfromny]

I definitely appreciate all the input and the time and effort you all have been giving. I am just pretty upset right now with this whole investment. I feel I should restate my goals since this has wondered wildly since I first started.

I want to get this combination into the correct power range of 5400-5600. That is it at this point. It sounds pretty simple but has proved to be an epic struggle. I have tried two viable options a 13.75 x 13 which was too loose at 6000. And a 13.5 x 15 which, because of it being cupped, only brought the motor to 5200. I have purchase a 13.75 x 15 prop from a fella in Tennessee. He says it is an old style OMC prop that should get me into the range. This prop is in transit and i am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. This prop, if it works, would make me happy...until it got damaged and I couldn't find another. The other option given to me was to re-pitch the 13.75 to a 14 and cupping the blades. I am by all accounts a total hack at this and I have been given all sorts of different opnions. I just want a prop that will get me into the sweet spot so I can set it and forget it. I don't want to be 400 rpm off of 5600 either way. I would like to be somewhere in that 5400- 5600. My last option seems to be a 14 x 13 cupped blade from an aftermarket prop maker. I will try this once all my other options are exhausted because it is not returnable. Any off the walls ideas? Thanks again guys, just being able to vent about this has helped me tremendously.

 

[82rude]

6000rpm is in your power range of 5-6000 rpm.Yes you make 40 hp at approx. 5600 but wot range is 5-6000 rpm.I have lots of years experience playing with props and as a bonus ive a good friend that owns a prop shop so I definetly don't settle for less than the best performance possible but I'm also realistic about what to expect.ive dialed mine in for heavy weight as I travel round trip 90 miles to camp fishing included.My prop guy had the exact same boat as mine but with a 70 on it and were within 1 mile and hour of each other so I figure I'm doing pretty good.i will keep comment to this thread only after today as I think were getting confused between the 2 posts ok?Mid 30,s is pretty damn good for a 60 etec on a old starcraft ss160 ,add in a kicker and 30 gallons of gas plus gear its not only good it stellar.

 

[82rude]

LOL ive changed my prop to my solas 17p 4 blade to see how it preforms with the heavy loads,talk about never satisfied.Im going to go over your posts from word one and see if I can come up with a reasonable suggestion ,hopefully a real expert will chime in .I'm thinking maybe 4 blade might be the answer.I wish I lived right close to you id be all over this like a fat kid on smarties.

 

[Patfromny]

Lol, I appreciate the thoughts. I just think that the boat has to go faster the closer I get to 5600. It is slower at 6000 so the power is all gone...or at least on it's way to the cellar. Here is an example of a dyno pull. You can see what happens after max hp.



Now this isn't an etec but is a pretty typical representation of how engines make power and how they figure out max HP and at what rpm. This graph shows 4 different pulls. They were probably messing with fuel curves and or carb jetting, things like that to get the most hp out of it. I'm not saying your engine is dying after 5600 but I suspect it is. I know mine def is as evidenced by the drastic drop in mph. If I can get the right prop on this boat I would suspect it will go 33-35. Not bad for an old 16 ft. 800 pound boat with 50 percent plus under power. Now that's not hoping, the math tells me that it does 30.4 at 5200 and 28.3 at 6000. Somewhere in between is the sweet spot. And the sweet spot is as close to the Max hp rpm as you can get. Better under than over if you look at the steady curve and then the suicide leap. I'll have to search for an etec dyno graph. Would love to see what they do and how quick it's all gone.

 

[82rude]

did you gps your findings or just did the math?

 

[Patfromny]

My brother used GPS each pass and the evinrude software on a laptop to verify rpm.

 

[82rude]

OK.You know in all this babbling I completely forgot why I put the 15p on to begin with.It was for slow trolling..Now that I don't need to slow troll the 17p will be just ducky.

 

[Sea Rider]

Evinrude had a scarse prop selection issue which BRP has followed, few OEM props to play with, much worse dialing a top performer for underpowered OB's. Pitches are too far apart from each other...

Happy Boating

 

[Patfromny]

Exactly sea rider. There should be at least two props in between my two props. And as luck would have it, either one would have worked for my set up.

 

[Patfromny]

It was good babbling though 82.

 

[Sea Rider]

Exactly sea rider. There should be at least two props in between my two props. And as luck would have it, either one would have worked for my set up.

Yep, that's why got rid of my old Evi and went for a Tohatsu which has lots of props in 1 pitch increment/decrement to play with if original delivered prop does not meet or exceeds expectations powering current application.

Happy Boating

 

[Patfromny]

Yep, that's why got rid of my old Evi and went for a Tohatsu which has lots of props in 1 pitch increment/decrement to play with if original delivered prop does not meet or exceeds expectations powering current application.

Happy Boating

Now ya see. I'm not crazy. That's all I want. Lol. Don't you think some of these prop companies would make these missing sizes and clean up? You could even advertise as the etec maximizer or something along those lines. They would sell a ton.

 

[Sea Rider]

I'm with you in pursuit of the best top prop performer for any combo, doesn't matter if severely underpowered as long you have a wide range of prop pitches to play with. Would be ideal to count with a maximizer prop Company, the only down issue I see is : how many underpowered OB's does boaters use along a tach to check wot rpm performance to be a sustainable bussiness.

If you tell BRP that can't max out a prop for your current application, will surely tell you that you need a larger HP ETEC. Will wash hands as Pilatus about scarce prop selection, shame on them, Check directly with prop manufactures as Solas, Turning Point other reputed prop brands if manufacturing props for ETEC OB's.

Good Luck !!

Happy Boating

 

[82rude]

If your sure all you need is a 1 p increase or decrease take a prop in and have it done.ive had it done several times before I honestly just forgot that I did that or I would of mentioned it earlier,sorry damn opiates make me forget sometimes sorry about that.

 

[82rude]

I'm SINCERLY SORRY I forgot about rejigging a prop ive had my head stuck up my butt the last couple of days.You can easily repitch a prop 1 p either way.My chum even did it 2 p increase with an aluminum prop at my insistence and it worked out fine.If they tell you they cant do 1 p either way look for a new prop shop.Im talking aluminum here.

 

[Patfromny]

I'm with you in pursuit of the best top prop performer for any combo, doesn't matter if severely underpowered as long you have a wide range of prop pitches to play with. Would be ideal to count with a maximizer prop Company, the only down issue I see is : how many underpowered OB's does boaters use along a tach to check wot rpm performance to be a sustainable bussiness.

If you tell BRP that can't max out a prop for your current application, will surely tell you that you need a larger HP ETEC. Will wash hands as Pilatus about scarce prop selection, shame on them, Check directly with prop manufactures as Solas, Turning Point other reputed prop brands if manufacturing props for ETEC OB's.

Good Luck !!

Happy Boating

I've met three here already that say their under or over propped with regard to their etec. With the right marketing, and props of course, it would be a money maker. Even people with the right prop would buy one if told it was an etec maximizer. I had to laugh today while browsing evinrudes site. They have a power experiment with a 16 ft boat like mine with the prop that over revved my boat. It was 150 lbs lighter and they only got it to 28.6 at 5700. I'm sure it went to 6000 but they only published to 5700. My boat went 30.4 at 5200. Funny how even in there power ads they are under powered. They also have a 16 foot pontoon with a top speed of 16. My brother has his 19 ft going 21. Crazy how even Evinrude is lost in regards to propping.