Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

[Marineduster]

I have a 1989 Carver Santego 3067 (34ft - 11,500lbs). It has twin 5.7 - 260 hp. Mercuisers. It has a hard time getting on plane and will immediately fall off of plane when throttled back even slightly - even with trim tabs properly deployed and the drives all the way in.

I was told that a switch to 4-blade props would help greatly in getting it on plane and keeping it there, albeit with a slight loss in top-end, which is fine with me. Carver says that the original props (which are still on it) are 15 1/2 x 18. The closest aluminum 4-blade to this is 14 1/2 x 17.

What are your opinions on using this lower diameter and pitch? I've heard that with 4-blades a pitch drop is usual. Does anyone have any experience with 4-blades on this type/size of cruiser? Any suggestions on diameter and pitch?

Any and all comments on this are very much appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

Ayuh,...

What is the current RPMs at WOT,..??

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

There is a "sticky" at the top of this form titled "READ THIS FIRST". Read it, do the testing, and then post your numbers.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

Ayuh,...

What is the current RPMs at WOT,..??

Drive type also..aka alpha or bravo....Id suspect alpha.


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234472


You have more than a few issues here...Perhaps we should start from the top and resovle them all. Its really not that hard but twin stainless props on a boat that size do run a few dollars..

 

[Marineduster]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

My WOT RPMs are at 4400 which is right in the middle of the 4200 -4600 range. The RPMs come up quickly enough, but the speed struggles to get into the upper 20s.

I have to get the new props on before getting it into the water for the season. Once in it's staying there 'till late October. I've got to get these props on now so the best guess is worth it for me.

A prop guy at the boat show suggested 16 x 16 3-blades, but other prop dealers have suggested the 4-blades will help get it on plane better.

Any experience you can share is worth it for me.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

18P @ 4400 rpm @ mid 25??...Ok well if you were to go stainless a 18p would put you at 4200 then drop another 100 for the 4th blade...thats 4100 so a 16p takes you to 4500

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...andard&**********=440254145&*******=372476252

Alum

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Me...andard&**********=440254145&*******=372476252

4 bladed props are mostly even....Wh highly recomended that MW ss


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=218877

HEAVY LOAD PROPS
MANUFACTURE RPM MPH NOTES

MWC 013052 15X15 6550 42.1 PUSHES 800LBS OF SAND BAGS LIKE THEY ARE FILLED WITH AIR....
LEXOR 15.75X15 6500 41.9 “
MIRAGE PLUS 15.75X15 6500 41.7 “
MANUFACTURE RPM MPH NOTES
OMC 431930 15X17 6300 44.6 SLOWER HOLE-SHOT
LEXOR 15.5X17 6250 45.2
VENGEANCE 14.5X17 6300 44.8 LITTLE SLOW OUT OF HOLE
BALLISTIC 14.75X17 6100 44.1 NOT A GOOD LOAD PROP
MANUFACTURE RPM MPH NOTES
MWC 14.5X19 5850 47.6 SLOW HOLE-SHOT-NO VENTS
VENGEANCE 14X19 5850 46.9
MANUFACTURE RPM MPH NOTES
MIRAGE+ 14.75X21 5500 48.6 HOLE-SHOT BETTER THAN EXPECTED
LEXOR 15X21 5500 49.1 HOLE-SHOT AS ABOVE WITH GOOD MID-RANGE
TURBO 1 14.25X21 5550 48.0 VENTED BUT PRETTY SLOW HOLE-SHOT WITH MAX LOAD
VENGEANCE 13.75X21 5600 48.2 NO VENTS AND SLOW HOLE-SHOT, BUT GOOD MID-RANGE

 

[Marineduster]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

Yes - thay are Alphas.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

based of your posted numbers the above props should work well. I would make sure of a few things One does the boat use counter rotating props and two see if they (i-boats) will allow a exchange in the event your current props are spun or in bad shape..you may need more prop....but if all is in order the mwc ss should push that boat quite well

 

[Marineduster]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

Thanks . . . Both of my drives are standard rotoation.

From what all have said, the MW Vortex 15 x 16 prop (cupped) should work for me. I'll also check on exchange policy. One last opinion question. Will the MW 15 x 16 cupped 4-b;ades work better, or just the same as the Volvo Penta 14.5 x 17 4-blades. Between the two, what's the best choice, or is it a wash /

 

[Santego Dan]

Re: Best 4-blade Props for Carver Santego 3067

I have the exact same boat and have been experimenting with props and fuel economy. I installed a Lowrance GPS with the fuel monitors and did a few tests. What I did find was that the props that came with my boat were a pretty good match. I have the 16x16 three blade elephant ear type and the vessel will hit a top speed of 37mph or so at 4600-4700 rpm. Pops up on plane great, even under load. Prior to last season, I tried a pair of 15x16 four blade props and found the performance only slightly better than what I had. They were smoother and at low speed more economical by a bit. I bumped some rocks last year and tried a pair of 15.5x17 three blades and thought that my rpm would drop just a touch and economy would rise. NOT SO! The boat struggled to get on plane and top speed fell by 7mph! What a shock! I suspect that the blade area was not enough to push the weight and slippage skyrocketed. Went back to the 16x16 and all was well. This year I will buy the 4blade as spares or full use as I dont have spares now. The extra blade of the 4blade compensates for the lack of diameter. The last option would be a S.S. unit but I suspect a 4blade is a must!