11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

[Jan Z]

This is the stock prop I have that came on the rig when I bought it this year. The motor is a Yamaha 40 4S on a 15' Triumph hull.<br /><br />Boat, motor, fuel, me and fishing gear weigh in at an estimated 1600 pounds (No fat jokes here. Lol)<br /><br />I can scoot along on flat water at an honest 30 acording to the spedo and the GPS (Throttle on the dash I get just at six grand on the tach at 30 kts) <br /><br />My first question is what is the "D" for on the prop?<br /><br />Second, I'm going to buy a new prop should I go up in diameter say to 12" and keep the same pitch or go to a same diameter and 12 pitch for a little more speed? <br /><br />Third, stay with the 3 blade aluminum, go to 4 blade aluminum or 3 blade cupped stainless?<br /><br />I use this boat for fishing in northern California mostly for salmon and rockfish.<br /><br />Oh yeah, I get 8.78 MPG, this was calculated over the last 40 gallons of fuel used so the other option is of course, it ain't broke so don't fix it.<br /><br />I've looked at prop charts and sites till my head hurts too so don't even start on the composite props...it's going to be aluminum or stainless period.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

sounds like you're set up pretty good..<br />The D on the prop is likely blade design, or another code that pobably won't affect anything in choosing another prop.<br />If you are wanting a bit more speed, I think I would stay with the same pitch in SS if it is available, and raise the engine a hole or 2 if needed to get the RPM back to 6k, and I think you will see another 2-3MPH.

 

[Jan Z]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

For 2 or 3 MPH I think I'll leave well enough alone.<br /><br />I had a fishing buddy years ago that started messing with motor placement and props. <br /><br />When it was all said and done he was just about back to where he'd started prop wise with possibly a slightly different pitch. <br /><br />We were sitting there drinking a beer and he allowed that he should have just left the boat alone and got himself a second wife... He allowed that in the long run it would have been less of a hassle and a lot cheaper.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

It's all in how one sees the big picture, and what that person wants....2-3MPH is a huge gain for most any boat. It takes about 18HP to gain 1 MPH.

 

[Jan Z]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

Thanks for the reply and info, I think I'll stick with the same size and pitch like this one.<br /><br />SKU: 3331-116-11<br />Pitch: 11”<br />Diameter: 11-5/8”<br />Blades: 3<br />Rotation: Standard<br />Material: Stainless Steel<br /><br />If I were able to utilize the additional 2-3 mph while running outside I might tinker with the proping but with the slop we run in up here more often than not it would be wasted.<br /> <br />About the only time I've been able to really kick her in the fanny and approach the top end is in the bay after you get past the "Jaws" as we call the harbor entrance here.<br /><br />The rest of the time the sea conditions pretty much dictate how fast you'll be able to go, that is unless you like to get airborne over the average 4-6 ft swell we get here during the summer season.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

Sounds like a Solas P/N... is that what it is???

 

[Jan Z]

Re: 11 5/8 X 11 -D 3 blade prop size

Yes sir it is the Saturn Stainless Steel Replacement Prop, pulled it from this sites prop finder.<br /><br />Not a bad price either.