Tried new Hustler

[jeffnick]

Re: Tried new Hustler

I've got a 115 E-Tec

and I've played with a few props -- aluminum, stainless, composite 3 and 4 blade...including a 17 and 19 Hustler.

I've raised my motor a hole, and then put it back down.

And I can tell you, I'd much rather spend $90 on a new Hustler housing than lifting the motor, not to mention wondering whether I really sealed up those bolts in that transom to keep water out of the core.

And according to my FloScan, running a prop that lets me hit the top of the RPM range doesn't necessarily give me the best MPG.

Oh, and I like the Hustler performance better with the holes plugged.

If you can't find a 17, let me know - I'll sell you mine...there's not a mark on it.

 

[mdunn]

Re: Tried new Hustler

"If you can't find a 17, let me know - I'll sell you mine...there's not a mark on it.[/QUOTE]

Now you tell me!
I think I have one coming but thanks.
How much difference did you notice with the vent holes plugged?
What are you showing in the picture that you used to plug the holes?
Thanks

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Tried new Hustler

Not all props are created equal. Not all 19" props are created equal. Not all models of 19" props from the same manufacturer are created equal.

Not all 19" props from the same manufacturer are designed to do the same thing. Some have more bow lift than others. Some have more overall lift. Some are designed to be run deep in the water. Some are not. A given 19" prop that works great on a ski boat may not work worth a darn on a performance hull.

Not all 19" props are measured in the same place. Some (most nowdays) are progressive pitch. Some are constant pitch. Rake is different. The amount of cup is different. Cup placement is different. All these things make the prop do different things.

The one constant thing is the percentage of slip. For optimum performance you try to use the largest pitch you can and still maintain the rpm you're looking for. In theory a 19" prop going thru the water at 6000 (engine) rpm is going to be more efficient (more mpg) than a 17" prop on the same boat at 6000 rpm.

I play with props all the time just like Walleyehed. Raising the motor for me is as easy as pushing a button. I have a 23" 4 blade that's faster than a 24" 4 blade from the same manufacturer. But they do different things therefore you can't compare them aginst each other. It's simply what we're looking for on that day.

The optimum height for my 23 is very different than for the 24. The right height for my 3 blade props are different again. There is no one exact X dimension that is correct on all boats with all props for all circumstances.

Yes, every time you change props you may have to change the X dimension for max performance & efficiency. And there's no guarantee that the next time you buy the exact same prop it'll be the exact same prop.

 

[mdunn]

Re: Tried new Hustler

Hey There Dhadley.
You certainly seem to have a lot of experience with properly setting up boats and I appreciate your time in sharing it.
You've expanded my way of looking at all this and although I'm going to try the 17" pitch I'm also going to get set up to change the height if it looks like it needs it.
Same thanks to all you folks that took time to offer advice.
This is a great forum.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: Tried new Hustler

How much difference did you notice with the vent holes plugged?
What are you showing in the picture that you used to plug the holes?
Thanks

I turned the 'plugs' on my lathe.

When you put the hammer down (like the Bass Boat guys always do), the vent holes bleed exhaust to the prop and allow slippage to get the motor up on it's torque curve...as the boat accelerates that slippage is reduced, eventually eliminated at speed. I don't like the 'slushy' feeling because I hardly ever do the jackrabbit thing...I like a solid bite even if it takes longer to get up to speed.

You could do a temporary trial by cleaning the inside of the housing around the holes with acetone, then taping the holes closed on the inside, with duct tape...it should hold up long enough for you to get the feel of how it would be without the holes.

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The one constant thing is the percentage of slip. For optimum performance you try to use the largest pitch you can and still maintain the rpm you're looking for. In theory a 19" prop going thru the water at 6000 (engine) rpm is going to be more efficient (more mpg) than a 17" prop on the same boat at 6000 rpm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Isn't slip more complicated than just pitch? I get better cruising MPG with a 15 3/4 X 15 Rebel (huge blade area), than I do with a 14 3/4 X 17 (Hustler), but I'd rather not go stainless, so I do the 15 X 17 aluminum, but it's not as fast as the 14 3/4 X 17 stainless Viper but the 15 X 17 aluminum gets better MPG.

15p Rebel vs 17p Viper (inside line)

My point is, that most of us aren't interested in tweaking to the ultimate, we're just happy knowing we're in the ballpark. A quick, simple prop change is the easiest comparison we can do to satisfy our curiosity.