Another newbie with a prop question

[LazyCruiser]

Hello Everyone......
Looking for some guidance here if someone is willing to hold my hand a little bit

Today we put a down payment on a '95 Bayliner Classic 2452.
It needs a prop, badly. The boat is in the water so I was unable to get a really good look at it and could not read the numbers on it. Since I am in need of a new one I would like some opinions as I know that there are always options on size & pitch etc. So if someone can steer me in the right direction, I will be very grateful.

My main concern is not speed, it is ECONOMY as I'm aware that this baby will drink lotsa gas.

It is a Mercruiser 5.0 V8 w/an Alpha 1 outdrive.
Bayliner Classic 2452, 1995
I play on a big big lake - Champlain - and we are just interested in putting around at a slow, LazyCruiser pace! The boat will usually be lightly loaded with 2 ppl and 2 golden retrievers and not much else.

I am thinking that there are enough of these out there that someone has some experience with various props.

I hope that I've given enough useful info and I thank anyone that can assist me.

happy boating

 

[steelespike]

Re: Another newbie with a prop question

We really need a base line test rpm and speed with prop size.
The prop size should be on the barrel or under the prop nut.
You may be able to have the prop repaired and do a test run,get us the prop size and max rpm and speed.Unless someone has the same exact rig find the prop size and stick with it till you get a test run.I hope you had a test ride or at least did a compression test.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Another newbie with a prop question

Forget the "economy" vs "speed" concept. The best prop for your boat is one that allows the engine to rev at or very near the top of the engine manufacturers receommended rpm band with what you consider an average load for the way you run the boat. top speed AND economy will be whatever that prop provides whether you run wide open or not. Deliberately trying to lower engine rpm for more economy can actually cost you more money for fuel since you now severely lug the engine getting on plane and it makes the situation even worse when you add more load than normal. Do it right. The engine will live longer. If you really need to worry about fuel consumption, you have selected the wrong recreation (or boat). That's not being sarcastic -- it is being truthful.

 

[LazyCruiser]

Re: Another newbie with a prop question

This prop stuff just is more confusing than is convenient!
Don't worry, I didn't take your post the wrong way. I do know that this is an expensive pasttime. All that I am trying to do is avoid unnecessary costs where I can.

When I hear talk of 'faster out of the hole' - 'WOT' - and 'highest speeds' I am not at all interested. I just want a prop that will allow me to plane at the lowest throttle - saving gas, noise and my engine. Maybe this is not attainable?

Thanks for the information. I guess that I should contact Bayliner and find out what the boat came equipped with from the factory?