finding the right prop

[GodsReel]

That is pretty much exactly what i am experiencing, how much top end do you guys think i would lose going to a four blade prop?

[McGillicuddy]

Godsreel, Honestly I don't think you'll lose squat on top end (well, maybe stern squat). With a 550-600 lb 4 stroke motor hanging 2+ feet back, a 4 blade will only benefit you. The Potter hull was designed for a 400 lb motor to ride on the transom. And while they did put twin 200s on they didn't plane a low speeds either. Heavy 4 strokes were probably a contributing reason for the evolution of the 4 blade prop

[shine]

Jr. those RPM's seem pretty high, fuel burn is a lot for a 4s. My budy has a new 23 SC (euro transom so they call it 25) and he gets the same fuel burn with twin 150 optimax, and few mph faster

Are you running with a heavy load, do you have trim tabs?

[junior11]

My hull is a 1972. It was rebuilt and is pretty heavy. I had about 100 gallons of fuel on board. I think that newer hull is probably a lot lighter than this. Those optis are supposed to be pretty good on fuel. Also I have a t top and an eisenglass front window which I think catches a lot of drag.


Another thing is that I am pretty sure I am getting some cavitation from my transducer. It's a transom mount mounted too low and in the middle since their used to be twins. Time will tell.

[junior11]

Also if you look at the performance between comparable boats on the yamaha website the 23 regulator and 23 sailfish seem to have similar specs to what I have seen. Only thing I can see is that I may want to try a prop with more pitch I guess, which doesn't make a ton of sense, but it seemed like the 23 sailfish with the 19" prop performed better.

[Old'sCool]

You guys close enough to Chas SC are welcome to ride with me or run
mine to check out the 4 blade on 2S 250

[shine]

4 blade 19 pitch on its way from propgods Will run it up and down the Indian river this weekend and report back

[junior11]

Sounds good. Was it a rental? I need to get a 17 4 blade re-hubbed then I can try it. For now I need to haul out and move that stupid transducer.

[shine]

copied from my post over at propgods.com......


27.7mph @ 3800
42mph @ 5600
30mph @ 4100
25.5mph @ 3600

20 mph beam wind, same rpm/speed running both ways up and down the river.

Load was 55 gallons fuel, 2 guys, full live well (about 360 pounds), with empty baitwell the speeds/rpm were the same but the hole shot was even worse. A little trim tab solved this.

5600 was as much as I could get without trimming the motor up too much. Prop really grabbed well, no problem keeping on plane at low speed, felt great. 3800 to 4000 seemed to be a really nice cruise. Hole shot was terrible but I expected as much.


AND

F225 manual says under a full load, the RPMs need to be in the upper half of the full throttle range. Full throttle range is 5000 to 6000. I was not at a full load and barely getting into the upper half of full range (5600).

I just wish they made an 18 pitch !

[Old'sCool]

Solas has a 14 1/8 x 18

4 14 1/8 18 R 3553-141-18