Very simple Prop Question
 

I currently have the standard prop that came with my 2000 Four Winns. It is a 23 pitch with a 14 1/2 diameter, 3 blade.

I want to switch to a stainless steel prop. My question is since I like how the current prop works, do I keep the same dimensions and pitch when I switch to stainless steel?

What kind of differences will it make, in general, in performance?

Thanks for the help!

Eric

A 22" 4-blade should do the trick. :cool:

Nick,

Won't changing the pitch and adding a 4th blade decrease my top end? It seems it will also increase my hole shot.

Any reason not stay with the 23, and 3 blade?

Not trying to debate your answer, just want the best prop for my little boat.

Aluminum props will flex to a point , Stainless won't

boats too small for a 4 blade and with yaw the boat too hard in rougher conditions...call a prop expert like joel at hill....i'm just a retard when it comes to boats!!LOL

Eric, props are a funny, kinda like woman,if you can find someone to try different wheels thats the best way to pick a prop, I would think a 3 blade would give you top end over a 4 blade, I've only seen 4 blades work on twin engine set ups, good luck.:cool:

I thought the response I would get would be something like, yes keep same pitch, just change to SS.

Crap, now I have to try different props. I will call around for some suggestions, I guess.

Just when you thought you would get a simple answer!!!

A little story about props, I run with a buddy of mine that has the same boat, motors gear, both boats weigh the same, we both use different pitches to obtain the same speed! Go figure!!!!:cool:


Nothing is simple when it comes to a boat, I told you their just like woman:D

Try a 22 pitch turbo 3 blade or a 23 pitch turbo 4 blade. Turbo is a progressive picth prop and works very well. A 4 blade will give you better hadling, and if you can spin the same rpm you shouldnt lose any top end

Eric,
Agreed, Top end usually suffers slightly but going 4-blade, will undoubtedly better your holeshot, make for much better mid-range cruiseing(lower rpm, less wear and tear, better fuel usage) and better acceleration. 4's usually yield the best "all-around" performance. If WOT max top-end is your goal than stay with 3 blades. Typical rule of thumb when going from 3 to 4 blades is to drop down one inch in pitch. The same holds true from aluminum to stainless(down one inch) due to the less flex--Your aluminum will actually flex and flatten out slightly giving you less effective pitch. Hope this help. :cool: :cool:

BTW, there's no such thing as a simple prop question. ;) ;)

What engine and how many Rpm,s are you turning?

That's what you get for thinking again;)

Take Baja Daze advise.

Typical rule of thumb when going from 3 to 4 blades is to drop down one inch in pitch. The same holds true from aluminum to stainless(down one inch) due to the less flex--Your aluminum will actually flex and flatten out slightly giving you less effective pitch. Hope this help.

I could very well have the smallest boat on this forum!!!!!!!!!

It is a 170 Horizon FW with a 4.3L 190 HP. It is an excellent starter boat and am thrilled I picked this boat. Not having very much boat knowledge, I went for minimal investment for the first one.

My goal in 2-3 years is a 212 Baja Islander with the 496!

I usually turn about 4800 RPMs when in the boat by myself.

My goal for changing props is to get better performance for minimal $$$. I am going to change boats in a few years and don't want to invest alot of $$$ in current boat. In addition, I figure the SS Prop will help with resale.

when you increase the efficiency of a fluid coupler like a torque converter or a prop....the other componets will suffer more,,,put simply....add a set of drags slicks a stock mustang and see how long your drive line componets last!!!...report the facts....call a prop expert!

Joseph Allen Skrocki
Engineering - Phase III Dynamometer Lab
ATNPC Box 38, 35500 Plymouth Rd., Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: (734) 52-35339 Text Pager:(734) 651-2028
Email: [email protected]/

I had a 19ft Rinker with the v6 motor. I used to to ski alot. I went from a 21 aluminum to a 19 ss and gained both low and kept the same top end.

audacity,
i will give him a call and pick his brain.

One little thing to keep in mind about a SS prop. It's true that SS is much stiffer than aluminum, resulting in both less flex and less drag - the SS blades can be thinner than the aluminum blades.

This can be a double edged sword, however, depending on where you boat. If you hit a deadhead or rock with an aluminum prop, you'll likely bust a blade. Hit the same object with a stainless prop and the shock is more likely to be transmitted up into the outdrive. Busted outdrive shafts and gears = big $$; bend blade on a aluminum prop = small $$.

So, if you're on a lake with lots of stuff hidden, you might be better off keeping the aluminum prop. Something to think about, anyhow...

What is your maximum RPM now? If it's too low, then the 19 SS prop will be the way to go, but if it's too high, a 21 SS prop will help lower the RPM. I'm guessing but the recommended RPM range for the V-6 is 4600-5000?

I get about 4800 RPM, Tomcat with the 3 blade 23 pitch.

mike star...best point of view yet!...really it is something to think about!

I had a 1991 17ft Glastron with the 4.3LX (4-barrel) 180hp motor. Somewhat like your boat. The best all around prop for that boat was a 21" QSS Mercury Quicksilver prop. It turned 4800-5000 RPM at 57mph (on GPS). A Mirage Plus 21" might be a good choice too. It might be a little more expensive though.

I think I would try the Mirage Plus 21.

I think the Mirage will have too much blade area for that boat, I bet a Laser II would do the job. One of my customers has an 18' Donzi, the Laser was 2-3 MPH faster than the Mirage. See Laser. Probaly stay with the same pitch. Don't hold it against me, but I am biased towards Merc props.

Keep the same pitch in SS. Try it out, record all the important facts like rpm, speed and holeshot. Call a good prop guy and get it blueprinted to your requirements.

Would you recommend a 3 or 4 blade?

Let me throw in my .02, just remember free advice is worth every penny. I think the boat, due to its size, will be happier with a three blade. I agree that the Mirage may have too much blade area. Remeber, most of us are dealing with larger, heavier boats. In short, I agree with audacity (worries me a little:D). A mercury laser or a Turbo would probably be a good place to start. Probably 24" for the turbo would work. I have a 22" Turbo kicking around somewhere but I suspect that it will be a little too small (in pitch) for you. While it is true that stock stainless props are much stronger than aluminum and therefore won't break as easily to protect your drive, a rubber hub will provide a degree of protection. If you can stay off the rocks, you will find that floating debris such as small branches that would bend the blades on your aluminum prop will be sliced up and spit out with no damage to your stainless prop. I spent 8 years boating on my local river with stainless props and ran over countless branches with no ill effects. Hope this is useful.

Mirage is a three blade prop, but I think Mbam and Laster are right, it may have more blade area than you need.

Don't kill the messanger -

I emailed 4 winns my question and they said to stay with the same pitch and diameter and keep the 3 blades.

I guess I will just have to buy another boat since there are conflicting view!!!!!!!!!!!;) ;) ;)

Watch out with the Laser II (23"). I tried one on my Glastron that I mentioned earlier in this thread. That prop would ventilate alot on turns. I think it was meant for large outboards. That's what the dealer I borrowed the prop from told me.