Need prop recommendation, non-step Fountain 38SC

PJDiesel · 05-19-2009, 08:06 PM

New motors are in a mostly rigged up, just have to get the exhaust and some other small odds and ends buttoned up.

Now then, my existing props are going to be pretty much useless.

I went from (yes, it's embarrassing) stock 330's to mags which we built pretty much to the old HP425 specs. I was spinning 3 blade 21p's to an earth shattering 48 MPH in perfect conditions. Now that I am a little better off on power, I need to get myself into a set of props that will work best on this behemoth.

Looking pretty much strictly for the best cruise speeds, top end matters only in the sense that I want to limit the R's to around 5K or so max. All I really know is that a 4 blade is a must for this boat.

Thanks in advance for any tips, I'd really like to hear from some other SC owners if you are out there........

Pat Ousborne · 05-19-2009, 08:39 PM

Hi PJ, We communicated here once before. I have a stepped 38SC with gen and 415 Mags. I'm running 23 Hydromotives Quad 4s and turning 5000 on one engine and 5100 RPMs on the other with full tanks of gas. I could probably go up to 24s. If you figure you're a couple MPH slower still the 23s would be a good start. Maybe you'll turn 4800 which is minimum to be in the 425HP RPM band.Supposedly the bravo 1 prop is better for cruise but slower top end. Bravo1 is supposed to be easier to turn by 1"so 24 might work. Fountain said they used 24 bravo1s in 2003. I couldn't get any info over the phone from them about the older SCs but Hydros were used in the late 90s.

PJDiesel · 05-20-2009, 09:36 AM

Hey, Pat. Yeah, I read back through that thread of yours from last fall, it's the reason I started my own.
Funny, we were saying how gas prices kept us close to home last year, we are hoping to be able to stretch our runs out a little more this season.

I'm thinking maybe a Bravo1 24, like you said. Aren't the Bravo props a little under what they say (i.e: a 24 may actually perform like another brands 23)?

bbladesprops · 05-20-2009, 12:01 PM

Yes the 24 is closer to 23. We have these props for testing if you are interested.

Pat Ousborne · 05-20-2009, 05:24 PM

It would be interesting to try a bravo 1 24 and a hydro Q4 23 and see speed vs RPMs at cruise and top end. All this web talk is interesting but who really knows how your particular boat will run?

PJDiesel · 05-20-2009, 07:41 PM

I've had such a run of bad luck with this particular boat, I'll just be glad to get it running decently.

I contacted BBlades for details about their prop test program, probably go that route next week.

Pat Ousborne · 05-20-2009, 08:19 PM

Fountain said the stepped SC with 415s should run 68-70 MPH but best I see is 65 on gps in real world conditions.There was a guy on here with the nonstepped 38SC with staggered 390HP /502s running 24 Hydromotives 4500 RPMs@ 60MPH.He had his phone #on here somewhere in a thread.

PJDiesel · 05-23-2009, 03:08 PM

Found a set of nice (used) Bravo 24's. The guy who has them says they will push a boat to around 70. He also said with around 420-450 HP I may not be able to spin them up past 4600. I would prefer they run through the whole range (5K). I can't imagine a 22 is going to fair well, considering the 24 is claimed to act more like a 23.

Not sure what the effects of that are, but I think I am going to pick them up and give them a whirl.

Pat Ousborne · 05-27-2009, 12:27 PM

If you get a chance post your results. I run 40 MPH @ 3300-3400 RPMs. 3500 gets me well into the low 40s. Curious how the 24 bravo 1 will compare?

PJDiesel · 05-29-2009, 04:39 PM

I need to get my gauges straightened out, I ran it yesterday, but was afraid to really keep it wide open. Ran 56 with the 3 blade 21's.

Hoping to see around 62, I have the rest of my gauges ordered as of last night, have to get some reliable tachs in there before I get crazy with testing anything.

I will definitely post back when I know more, it'll be a week or better though.