Thanks to someone for help with prop

[HotTommy]

They say there are two types of unknowns. There are the things you know you don't know, and there are the things you don't know that you don't know. One of the benefits of hanging out on forums like this one is I sometimes learn something I didn't even know I wanted to know. That happened last year when another member was asking something about propeller selection. Someone, and I don't remember exactly who, suggested he take his current prop to a "prop shop" and have the pitch changed. I had no idea that prop shops did anything other than sell props, and it had certainly never occured to me that someone could alter the pitch on something as finely balanced as a propeller. So I looked into it.

When I bought my new engine two years ago I did a lot of research before choosing a prop. The online selection tools suggested I get a prop with 14.5" pitch. Of the reasonably priced alternatives I could find only 13" and 15" pitch props. I went with the 15" four blade, 14.8" diameter aluminum prop. With a light load WOT would yield 5250 RPM (max is 6000) and about 24.5 MPH (GPS). With my usual 1,000 pounds of extra load I'd see about 5,000 RPM and 21 MPH. I was resigned to that level of performance.

But after reading about prop shops I found one this winter and had them rework the prop. They reduced both the pitch and the width of each blade slightly. I ran the boat today and found WOT with a light load to be 5900 RPM at 28.5 MPH. That is almost a 15% improvement in top speed. It'll be a few days before I can test it with the usual load, but if I see a 10% improvement I"ll be happy.

So, to the unknown boater who taught me something I didn't know I needed to know, I say thanks. I appreciate all here who share their wisdom and knowledge.

 

[ahicks]

That's an item you've added to your magic bag of tricks that won't soon be forgotten! You tripped into a shop that can be difficult to find! They can convert your data into results that will be very difficult to beat - and they enjoy doing it for you. They are VERY proud of their craft. Treat them with all the respect you can afford as they are the holy grail when it comes to performance.......

 

[Sea Rider]

Sometimes if like tuning props for top performance whether improving hole shot or bettering top end speed you must reduce/enlarge 1 pitch on 2 pitch fixed sizes and 1/2 pitch on1 pitch fixed sizes at a prop shop as next size pitch is too much and won't do the trick. I'm a huge fan about repitching props.

Happy Boating