More Engine and Prop Tweaks

[peterb]

More fun from the Jersey shore.

My new old boat was not handling too well. I pulled her out of the water and verified that my trim tabs were not working.

I got them them working. It was just a short at the fuse block.

I also did two other things.

First,I bought a set of used counter rotating Yamaha SWS SS props (19" pitch x 15.25" diameter) for $350.

With the tabs working and the new props in place I took the boat out for a nice long spin. What a difference. I felt that the boat was about 80% of the way there, in terms of handling.

Second, I got the engines raised 2 notches. Unfortunately, it is probably one notch too high. Unbelivable!!! When it was two notches lower the cowling would sit in the water. Now I see the prop's spinning up water and they come out of the water when I cut through some big steep waves.


Before I have them moved down one notch, I will try my 21 pitch x 14 7/8" diameter props.

Any thoughts????

Peter

[Michael Vezzosi]

Sounds like you are well on your way! I love my jack plate on the whaler, wish it were hydraulic! Have any luck working with Tom W Clark? Missing the JS, need a trip home. I'll be home for Sept. 11th, then up to the Cape. Returning for last weekend of month to Long Branch for a speedskiff roundup. Stripers moving out? Keeper fluke/flounder around? Where did you perform your test runs? I know how much you are looking forward to lowering those engines, huh? Sounds like its going to happen, but I like the idea of running other props before all the labor. Take care, PartII.

[eggsuckindog]

What RPM at WOT? I always say most are mounted too low and it feels like a different boat- you might want to check out a prop with more Rake-a longer blade design like a Mirage + or Tempest they would hold better.

[peterb]

Stripers are pretty much gone for the summer (except for some schoolies that pretty much live year around the tip of the hook by the clam beds). Also, some guys are still hunting down the cows.

The fluking was excellent early last week just off of Seasde. Unfortunately, the water temp took a huge drop (from close to 70 to the mid 50's). This turned off the fluke fishing.

I did the test runs in Barnegat Bay & the inlet.

Peter

[peterb]

Hooray!!!

I put the old 21" pitch x 14 and 7/8" diameter props back on with the engines up two bolts.

Here are some numbers:

Cruise @ 3,500 RPM's = approx 33 miles per hours (getting about 1.8 miles per gallon)

WOT @ 5,400 RPM's = 55 miles per hour

Big difference. Everything (overall ride, WOT speed & gas performance) has improved. I have a feeling that the best long term setup would be to move the engine down one slot, but I am going to leave it as is for now.

Peter

[eggsuckindog]

Pretty hard to argue with those numbers, thats a nice cruise