Bluewater 19 Cuddy

[Captain Ollie West]

I have a 1992 19 foot Bluewater Cuddy. It has a 4.3 with an SE 116 outdrive. I am not sure of the gear ratio, assumed it is a 1.81. I will have to check the numbers when I get home. It came with a 19 pitch Solas 4 blade prop. It gets on plane quick with the 19, but easily over revs past 5,000.

I purchased a used Mercruiser prop to see if it would work better (48 49634 21). I tried it out yesterday. It took a little longer to get on plane. It would still easily over rev past 5K. I could cruise about 30 MPH at 3800 -4000 RPMs (indicated on the gauges) So maybe a little faster cruise speed.

Any ideas? Bad tach? Wrong gear ratio? What are others running with similar boats?

 

[WesNewell]

Assuming your tach is right, you should have gone to either a 21p 4 blade or 23p 3 blade if you want to lower wot rpm's.

 

[QBhoy]

You just have a very light boat or a very low ratio if it’s easily over revving with a 21. Or your tachometer is not telling as it is. If it is. Danger is if you go to a 23 and you aren’t happy with the planing with a 21”...

 

[Captain Ollie West]

Thank you both for the quick replies. I need to verify the Tach numbers and the gear ratio. I was hoping the 21 three blade would have made more of a difference.

I am not sure of the weight, but it doesn't seem lighter than a normal 19 foot boat.

The drive was on the boat when I purchased it. I will need to run the serial number to verify the ratio.

The 21 pitch prop was an inexpensive experiment. It did get up on plain okay, though not as snappy as the 4 blade 19.

 

[Captain Ollie West]

I briefly looked at my outdrive this morning. I didn't see any numbers. I have emailed SEI to see where they are located on the drive.

I would be surprised if it is not a 1.81, but who knows?

It sounds like the factory tachs cant be trusted? What is the best way to test actual RPMs?

I will probably need to find a place that actually stocks props and will let me trial a few. WesNewell, it will most likely be a 23p 3 blade or a 21p 4 blade.

 

[bluewater19]

I had that exact same boat for many years. 4.3LX with a 21 pitch mirage-plus was the best over all combo. I tried a lot of props on that boat 4400 RPM low 40's GPS verified with the stock alpha1 drive. I did a little work to the engine though, added a 4 barrel ect.
I would suggest you get a gps APP for your phone, it will be more accurate than the stock speedo.

 

[jbcurt00]

I had that exact same boat for many years.......

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