What happened to shifting props?

[craze1cars]

Torque-Shift, Quicksilver Power 2....there were some others. I remember the ads and reviews in the late 90's. Does anyone make a prop that physically shifts from a short pitch to a deep pitch anymore? I'm having a heckuva time finding such a product and am beginning to think it no longer exists.<br /><br />What happened? This seems like and obvious solution to the ever-present problem of getting a quick holeshot/getting on plane, while still maintining a high top speed at the correct RPM. Am I overlooking someone who makes this product still? Just curious.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

I guess they don't advertise because.....<br /><br />DHP

 

[jimmbo]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Too expensive to buy and too expensive to repair resulting in few purchases

 

[QC]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

You can find Torque-shifts on Ebay. I sold one a few weeks back for $450. I bought from a friend who swore by it, but my boat didn't really benefit from it as it was light and had decent power already. I just wanted to play with it and it was a little finicky. They definitely work though. If you play with the trim and spend some time on it shifting can be controlled etc.

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Torque-Shift is still around. Ask Bondo I think he bought everyone that has ever appeared on <br />E-Bay...<br /><br /><br />T

 

[QC]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Actually they don't make new Torque-shift props anymore, but they do support them. I called Land & Sea and they are selling more dynos than they can build and felt they could back off on the propellers . . .

 

[trog100]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

kinda like an atomatic gearbox on a boat.. the idea is sound.. airplanes have variable pitch props.. i did wonder if anyone made such things for boats..<br /><br />the wider the speed range of the boat the better such things would work.. <br /><br />cost would be the problem.. shame really..<br /><br />trog100

 

[craze1cars]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

It just seems to me a GREAT idea and am surprised more mfr's and aftermarket suppliers out there aren't competing in an attempt to fill this niche. <br /><br />If not a shifting prop, then a lower unit with two or more manual gears, or a simple 3 speed automatic, or some sort of CVT (constant variable transmission)...the list goes on. There's all kinds of different ways to help keep a motor in it's powerband, and everyone knows that boaters are ALWAYS looking for more performance, AND have deep pockets, so such products would sell. Sure they'd be a little more complex, but the technology is certainly there to make such things functional and reliable....just look at automotive transmissions, or for lighter weight look at snowmobile clutching setups, or even simple multi-speed manual motorcycle gearboxes. For the past 50 YEARS, they've all become functional and reliable.<br /><br />Yet WHY, oh WHY do boats STILL effectively have only one gear that's asked to stretch all the way from Zero to 40, or 50, or 80 mph? No wonder everyone is always messing with proping/trim tabs/performance products/etc. That one gear is a HUGE handicap. This just irks me, can ya tell? It's 2005!!!! Wake up, somebody!<br /><br />If I wasn't such a lazy dude I'd seriously look into this sort of thing as a business opportunity. Anyone else out there with some more motivation than I have?

 

[QC]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

I'm right there with you craze1. I think it is a CVT, so that there is no monkeeing around, right for every application, situation, load etc. I've got the energy if you've got the $. I figure we'll need $11.2M for product develop, test cells, marketing budget, intellectual property attorneys, warehouse, copier, office supplies. And, oh yeah, the best part, test boats!!!!

 

[craze1cars]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Thanks for your energy! Unfortunately, I'm short by about $11,199,999.00. I'll be glad to send you the $1 to get things started! I figure it's a better investment than my usuall lotto tix, right?!

 

[cuzner]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Get the money thing worked out and I'll be your test pilot <br /><br /> Jim

 

[tommays]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

the simplest way is always the best way which is why no one has had great luck with things like this<br /><br />the bicycle chain is the best example of this people have beeen trying forever and its still the king<br /><br />the torque shift prop is a great prop BUT requires a lot of care from the owner which doesent seam to happen to much on boats<br /><br />how many years of building outdrives and they still self destruct in saltwater without a lot of regular care<br /><br />tommays

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

TS props should start showing up on Ebay this month.<br /><br />I use mine whenever I am towing anything---skiiers, tubes, wakeboarders, etc.<br /><br />No other prop comes close to pulling power, ease on the motor and drive, plus you are on plane in about 2 seconds, pulling three tubes, with a boat full of people.<br /><br />You will have to mess with the settings to dial it in to your rig. Don't buy one if you don't have time to tinker.<br /><br />Yes---my kid broke a spring (kids can break anything) and Bondo walked me through the setup with new springs.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Interesting. Check this out!! Takin from land-and-sea shift props. Can your boat do that?<br /><br />

 

[mkast]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

I put a Quicksilver Power2 prop on my 23 footer.<br />As far as having to fiddle with them, you change the setting when the weight of the boat changes, as in going from two adults to eight. It's not a big deal. Once you have the prop dialed in to the boat, it might take 90 seconds. I get a charge out of the "Too much money for a prop". I read on these forum boards about people spending thousands of dollars for horsepower. Ofcourse the reliablity of the engine doesn't suffer, and the maintenance of the engine doesn't increase. You don't have to use 93 Octane fuel, and it will get better fuel economy.<br />The money I spent on that prop didn't increase the horsepower of the engine. But the boat sure loves that prop. Starts out at a 16 pitch, just after the boat is on plane, shifts to a 21 pitch.<br />People with shifting props will tell you, the boat comes out of the hole like a rocket.<br />I also use a Land and Sea stern jack. I like spending my money on upgrades that will never need maintenance, increase my fuel usage or leave me sitting with a dead engine. I remember reading on one of the websites that on average, if you take your boat to a marina and say, "I wanna go faster", it averages out to $1500 per mile per hour.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

OK.... I've been gone for nearly a week,.... <br /><br />I Don't Claim to be an Expert on the Torque-Shift Props,..........<br />But,....... Ayuh,.. I've been Running,+ Fooling with them for a few years now.........<br />And,.... Tallman is Right,.......<br />I've Stolen,...errr, Bought 3 of them on ebay.......<br /><br />Once you get it "Tuned" to Your style of boating,... It's nearly maintaince free,... <br />Just Cleaning,+ Greasing once a year....<br /><br />Rather than typing All of the comments I've posted in the past,...... <br />Look It Up,...... It's in the Achrives.......<br /><br />I will say,.... I'm Not as thrilled with the Merc. Prop...... It's Too Limited in pitch....<br />Mine Always Starts at 11"s of pitch,+ the Upper pitch can be limited to Anywhere between about 15"s to 26"s........... Now That's Adjustability.........<br /><br />As for the 11.2 Million Dollar Question,.........<br /><br />It Sounds like you guys haven't heard of "Kiss Engineering".........<br />Keep It Simple,.. Stupid.........<br /><br />You guys want to add Complications, to a Problem that Already has a Simple Answer........<br />Buy a Torque-Shift Prop....................

 

[craze1cars]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

You guys want to add Complications, to a Problem that Already has a Simple Answer........<br />Buy a Torque-Shift Prop.................... <br /><br /><br />I went to their website, it states they are no longer taking orders for new Torque-Shifts. Sounds like the company is done making that product...and if it's so great, why aren't others selling copies? And apparently they only recommend this setup for V-6's and larger, so my 3.0 likely wouldn't be a good match. But if it was offered, this sounds like it'd be the perfect solution to an underpowered boat like mine that I expect to pull skiers. Somebody make one for a 3.0 quick!

 

[Bondo]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

A Torque-Shift with a Part # ending in "26" Will work just Fine on a 3.0l I/O........<br /><br />The V6 Minimun is for Outboards......<br /><br />The I4s have a Smaller Gearcase,+ Don't Work with the 4 1/2" Hub.......

 

[QC]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Bondo,<br /><br />I don't want to add complications, I just wanted a new job. The plan was I spend Craze1's money testing boats. Sounded really good to me . . .

 

[Bondo]

Re: What happened to shifting props?

Originally posted by Quietcat:<br /> Bondo,<br /><br />I don't want to add complications, I just wanted a new job. The plan was I spend Craze1's money testing boats. Sounded really good to me . . .

No Problem,...............<br /><br />Can I be a Paid Consulting Engineer ???? <br />I could be Bought for a Low 6 Figure Salary..........