Prop for 1977 18SF with Suzuki 140

[pjzabo]

I had one guy in front of the console and another next to me. We are both 6'2" between 230-240 lbs, lots of weight in the back fer sure. I will typically only be fishing 2 in the boat, me at the helm and the other guy in front of the console. I was thinking about a doelfin and maybe moving the console up about 5 inches from its stock location and going with a small leaning post to replace the stock seat. I want to avoid putting on trim tabs. Next weekend I will take a bunch of pictures and better observations on planning speed, time to plane, etc. It looks like the 14 inch wheel is the biggest that fits on the 140. Aside from the unnerving bow high shot when you first get on her and the delay until it squats down on plane, the performance of this 3 blade 14/20 is pretty good. I can pull 6000 rpms matted and even at 4500 I am cruising 28-29 knots. I will mix up the engine speed more to see how it behaves and report back.

[McGillicuddy]

Aha! Suspicions confirmed! No trim tabs.
Next to that sweet motor, trim tabs would be your greatest asset. I understand not wanting to drill any holes in your boat so I'll leave that alone now.

A 4 blade will help lower your minimum planing speed and get the pointy end down much quicker.

As Denny mentioned, for less than $50 you can get a planing foil. SE Sport makes a foil that doesn't require 4 holes in the anti-cavitation plate. http://www.amazon.com/SESport-SPORT-.../dp/B002HW3IJO
If that solves the problem great. If not, they are an easy resale on CL or whatever.

I had one on my Seafari and was pleased with its effect. I took mine off because when I dropped to a 15p stern lifting Black Max, my hole-shot to plane became virtually instantaneous. Of course my motor is a 300 lb Merc 115 and my CG is farther forward.

[uncleboo]

Howdy! I'm swinging a 21 pitch 3-blade. I'll have to check dia. I usually run with my wife and daughter or me and a stout friend. Usually about 400-450 lbs. with a full 44 gal tank. Moved my batteries under the console and put a Todd mini pedestal mount leaning post.

My bow doesn't skyrocket, but tabs would certainly help. I'm getting 41 mph @ 5800 rpms trimmed out. My mechanic told me not to let it go over 6000, so, I don't. Can't remember rpms at cruise, but then, I'm all over the place. I like to go fast, when conditions allow. When it's choopy, I just cruise at whatever is the smoothest.

[eggsuckindog]

another solution would be negitive trim spacers called wedges - just aluminum blocks about $35 and they give you more negative trim - worked fine on my boat before this.

Prop seems perfect by the way - I think 6K is about correct?