Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

With the appropriate 4 blade, you'll gain performance in every area except top end speed. You will lose some top end.

The only exception to that rule is when running a surfacing 4 blade over hub cleaver, and even then that's only if you have LOTS of power to spare, say running a 300 HPDI on a 20' SeaCraft with a jack plate. :eek:

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Frank & Lloyd - i dont think my numbers are to far off, Lloyd do you have bottom paint? i am currently running a 14 1/4 x 19 inch prop, if yours is infact 15 inch diameter let me know, i did not think i could swing that big a prop on the 140 but if i can i will step up

thanks
Ben

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

My PowerTech is a 15.25" Diameter X 16.5" Pitch 3 blade, polished. It's a custom propeller from back when I had money. The regular size PowerTech are even inch measurements.

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Ben,

No, I do not have bottom paint, it's painted with Awlgrip. I'll confirm my prop size when I get home in a few days.

Fr. Frank,

If the opportunity presents itself, I may give a 4 blade a try, just to see.

Lloyd

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Lloyd,

Sorry for the confusion (or my ignorance), but is your bracket a "floatation" bracket? I was talking to armstrong the other day and they told me they would build me one with a floatation chamber in it. I guess the only different b/t the floatation bracket vs the none would be when not on a plane (keep your feet dry).

From reading it seems like the boat does not perform very well on plane (with a bracket). I definitely have no desire to add 150 lbs of lead to balance the boat.

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Zach,

I have a B-Bracket, and I do not consider it a floatation bracket. There is a small enclosed chamber, but there is so little of it in the water that it doesn't add much positive bouyancy. Perhaps there is another solution besides adding ballast to the porpoising issue I had (stern lifting prop, motor hieght/trim). But for the room I gained, seaworthiness, and the advantages of the large swim platform, I still like the bracket. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong bracket, but have an idea how to better my situation (I'll start a thread on the repair forum as I get close to diving into that project).

I hope this info helps.

Lloyd

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Ben,

I checked my prop this weekend, forgive me, my earlier info is incorrect. My PowerTech prop is 13X18. The diameter was not marked on the prop, but I measured it at 13", the 18 pitch was marked as part of the serial #. So I first tried a 20 pitch, then 19, and ended up with the 18.

And Ben, you are correct, a 15" prop will not fit on my Zuk 140.

Lloyd

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

So would that involve weldong on a chamber.....I have a stainless marine twin bracket....not much real flotation, but since the bracket structurally is already complete, it looks like adding a chamber for flotation would be simple and the chamber wouldn't need the strength to support the motors.

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

;) You're on to my plan, except I was thinking fiberglass shaped like a Hermco/Potter. Make the "tub" from a mold, then bolt it on.

Any thoughts?

Re: 20' SeaCraft - better w/ or w/o a bracket ???
 

Don't see why it wouldn't work........have to make really sure it's held on well enough and any holes were water tight.....