What style prop do we like on a 20' Sceptre

[Basketcase]

Good info. I'll be stopping in to the dealer tomorrow to see if they have a Rev4 in 17p for me. I'll report back once I get to try it out. Plus I'll have my Smartcraft tach so I can really see if I'm at the right RPM too.

[FLexpat]

A couple of years ago I talked to Ken at Propgods about blowout on tight turns when the drive is high - If I remember correctly, he said that a little bit of cup on the tips will fix it without having to change height.

[Capt Terry]

When I picked up my new Seafari in 1976 from Brown & Hauptner, Mark Hauptner who had raced for Moesly added a cup to my Merc prop. Not sure how common cupping was at the time. Didn’t find out until I met Carla a few years ago that Frank Brown was Moesly’s race mechanic. Explains why my SeaCraft was set up so well!

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

When I picked up my new Seafari in 1976 from Brown & Hauptner, Mark Hauptner who had raced for Moesly added a cup to my Merc prop. Not sure how common cupping was at the time. Didn’t find out until I met Carla a few years ago that Frank Brown was Moesly’s race mechanic. Explains why my SeaCraft was set up so well!

I remember Frank Brown well. In the early 80's, I used to manage Waterway Marina in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA Blvd and the Intercoastal. Frank Brown's Marine was 150 feet away across the highway. Frank Brown did the setup and tuning on two of my boats, including my first SeaCraft, a '70 Seafari that my uncle had bought new from him.
He advised me on my repower, going with a Merc 1500XS powerhead mounted to regular 20" mid. That boat had the transom cut-out for twin motors, I remember.

I used to go over and pick his brains on everything from props, to trim, to hull design. He had more stories and anecdotes... I used to listen to stories of famous people like Carl Moesly and the bone-headed stuff they would do. Made me realize that I was just as bone-headed as they were. He's the one who got me started in offshore racing at Gulf Wind Marine as a throttleman.

The other setup setup he ever did for me was with a '73 Merc 150 inline 6 on a '73 Slickcraft SS160 turning a solid 2 blade 24p bronze cleaver prop. He added two small 6" wide hand-adjustable trim tabs just outside the keel-line that took the boat from squirrelly at anything over 50 mph, to rock-solid stable at 70+. I could just touch 72 mph with that boat at 8800 rpms. He estimated that at that rpm the motor was actually producing 170-175 hp.

[Basketcase]

Here we go. Rev 4 17 pitch. Going to try it out tomorrow!

[hardkorre]

and how did you like the rev 4?

[Basketcase]

Originally Posted by hardkorre

and how did you like the rev 4?

It was great! Just got back last night from a weekend of boating with it. Quick to plane, no blowouts. Got to 5400 rpm at 43mph with 2 people, 2 large dogs, a completely full gas tank and a boat full of gear/food for 3 days.

I'm thinking maybe the motor might want to come up another notch. When I got the boat it was at the bottom. After watching the plate, I brought it up 2. With this prop, I am able to hit the trim limit without sucking air. It jumps up and rides nice and high, but maybe there is more? I did not get a chance to watch the vent plate this time, so before I move I'll do that. I was keeping an eye on water pressure though, and it never faltered. Should I be able to vent the prop?

Overall very happy with the way this boat rides now. I'll have to let Ken@propgods know. Thanks for the recommendation, guys.

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

I remember Frank Brown well. In the early 80's, I used to manage Waterway Marina in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA Blvd and the Intercoastal. Frank Brown's Marine was 150 feet away across the highway.

I wasn’t too fond of Frank initially. I did most of my original boat purchase and other things through Hauptner. Frank was kind of crochity or something, but got friendlier after they split and I bought my second Merc. I remember Frank showing me the first Oceanmaster or its predecessor when they were still together on PGA. The father of a friend bought the first or second one, which I didn’t find out about until I rode in it a few years later when he gave it to his son, Phil. On a real rough day was glad to follow in his wake from Jupiter to PB inlet.