Boat Prop Q's...

[TORQUE THIS]

The used Sea Ray I just picked up is supposed to have a 14x19 prop according to the Sea Ray site and owners manual.

The previous owner had a 15x17 prop on it.

What will I see going to the correct prop versus the one that is on there.

BTW, the boat is a 220 Sundancer with a 5. 7 and an Alpha drive. Boat weighs in at 4500 lbs.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Know the rated redline of your engine. See what WOT RPM you are getting with the 15 x 17.

The 15 x 17 most likely will let the engine spool up quicker and get you out and up on plane quicler. The 14 x 19 would most likely give a few more MPH.

My 21' boat came with a SS 19 pitch and is currently running a SS 22. Keeps the RPMs from redlining and has decent pulling power too.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

WOT with the 15x17 is 4200, suggested WOT is 4600.

Cruising at 3000 seems to be the most efficient. However 3500 feels a tad better in speed and performace. But running 3500, it drinks the fuel... just a bit better on economy running at 3000.

 

[CumminsBu]

I wouldn't change it. But if you want to find a dealer or look on ebay for a used one and try it out. What ever one you like run it and use the other for a spare.

 

[HOBrian]

Torque This, The boat might need the 17" pitch for pulling skiers out of the water. Better to have a boat that will "pop" a skier out of the water then to have a boat drag the poor guy until the boat plans off.



If you are not looking for all out speed I would leave, the boat will plane better with and without a skier. My. 02

 

[JLEONARD]

Mark,

If I remember I'll bring my "propeller handbook" to the seefood fest for you to take a gander at...

Might answer some questions you never thought you had... . and were afraid to ask... .



Most of the guys in our marina with chev 350s run at about 2900/3000 to keep the secondaries shut. .

Jay

 

[TORQUE THIS]

It sounds so cool when the secondaries are open...

Not cool to visit the pump every weekend...


BTW, why is fuel so much more at a marina??? No road use tax on it, what gives??

 

[HoleshotHolset]

It sounds so cool when the secondaries are open...

No it doesn't. It sounds like every cop movie and cop TV show made from the mid-60's through the mid-80's. The infamous "Boooooooooooooalllgggghhhhh!" sound your engine is making as it gasps for air when all them barrels be open is not cool. I repeat - it is not cool. What's next? Are you going to put a flame thrower in the tailpipe of the dually? :-laf

BTW, why is fuel so much more at a marina??? No road use tax on it, what gives??

Environmental concerns. They get whacked a lot of fees to make sure they're not dumping fuel in the water. I imagine insurance is also a lot more too. If you trailer the boat - fill it up at a normal gas station and if you can't make it through the day... suffer the pain at the marina pumps on the water.



Matt

 

[TORQUE THIS]

The infamous "Boooooooooooooalllgggghhhhh!" sound your engine is making as it gasps for air when all them barrels be open is not cool.

So yelling like Bo and Luke Duke when it happens is a not cool either????

 

[HOBrian]

So yelling like Bo and Luke Duke when it happens is a not cool either????

ROTFLMAO :-laf :-laf

 

[bulabula]

As far as props go, two props of different manufacturer can perform significantly different with the same dimensions. Its like apples and oranges.



Torque this, there are websites out there that permit you to enter your props/engines to get an idea of what kind of performance you can expect. Unfortunately I can't find one right now for you.



My Formula came with 23"p 3-blade cleavers, and those props give me the best top speed but they're horrible for mid rpm cruising. They can't keep the boat going under 2700 rpm, and when they do hook, the boat takes off.



On the other hand, my 4 blades are pitched to 22 (maybe 21) and even though they give up a few mph on the top end, they are much more efficient in carrying the boats weight when cruising. They are definitely my favorites.



My point is, is that you cannot merely go by diameter and pitch to determine a props performance. Number of blades, blade area, and design are just as important.