Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

[rrhodes]

Okay, Currently I am propped correctly. 115 HP 14x13 Alum Honda prop 5800rpm @ WOT.

This is on a 25' Triple log Pontoon. What pitch should I go with if I wanted to maintain the numbers above and change to a stainless prop. I know the prop will be heavier and I expect that will effect my RPM if I stay with the same pitch.

And are there any recommendations on a brand and model of stainless props?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

First, what are you trying to accomplish/improve by changing props?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

What speed are you at?What do you hope to accomplish?
The weight of the prop has no affect on performance.The SS is a more sofisticated design so usually is more efficient.Changing from AL to SS adds more variables to an equation that is difficult to evaluate .And a pontoon adds more.Unless you have performance issues IMO a SS isn't worth the investment.If I was gong to SS I would start with the same pitch.You could also consider a 4 blade AL pontoon dedicated prop.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

My current Speed is is 26-27mph with 4 Adults 30 gallons of fuels and a cooler. In my mind (Which could be very wrong) the Aluminum prop would flex pushing my toon through the water and loose efficiency. I thought that changing to the proper SS prop would buy a little more speed 1-2mph. I don't want to slow her down.

That being said I have not tried other Alum props yet either. I am running a stock Honda prop. I read somewhere that those are Solas props but again I could be wrong.

In a nutshell I want to buy another prop anyway in order to have a spare and since I am spending the money I want to get the best bang for the buck.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

Aluminum flex is not as big a deal as you think.

If I were in your position I would stick with aluminum and save the money, the biggest advantage with SS is on the top end where thinner blades make them a little more efficient in the water. A pontoon boat is not going to show huge gains there.

I suggest you look at four blade props, a Change that you will definately notice. Yes the extra blade will slightly reduce propeller efficiency at the top end, but again we are talking about a boat that runs in the 25-30 neighborhood, so it is a non-issue. A four blade will give you better cruising efficiency and improved towing ability and holeshot. The biggie though, is how much more maneuverable you boat will be at slow/docking speeds.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

Usually a 1 or 2 mph improvement would be about it on a fast planing boat when going from a properly setup AL to SS.There are exceptions but imo 1 or 2 mph from a toon even a tri toon would be exceptional.If your not experiencing any ventilation/cavitation problems you might try raising the motor a hole at a time Won't gain much but might add a touch of speed.
The Turning Point Hustler props help combat ventilation and generally improve overall performance. You could by two for the price of a SS prop.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

Has anyone looked at the Turning Point Legacy props? It looks like it is geared toward pontoons with slightly larger blades. I think I will just go with the TP prop and use my Stock as a spare.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

I have a TP Hustler which is the same prop as the Legacy, with a different hub design. It is vented and has a little cupping and a slight rake to it. All of the above increased performance over the Black Max(standard Merc propeller) that was on my boat when I bought it.

This is without a doubt the best performing aluminum prop on the market. And I still use mine in unfamilliar or shallow water situations (I switched to a shifting prop). With that said, I still believe that as good as the Hustler/Legacy is a 4 blade would better suit your situation.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

Hole shot and maneuvering is not an issue. My concern with the 4-blade prop is loss of Max speed. I know my toon will never be speed boat but I don't want to slow it down either.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

In the speed range we are talking about here, the loss of propeller efficience and thus loss of top speed is a non-issue.

With any change in propeller, you will not know what the top speed will be until you test it. You could lose top speed with Hustler or an SS prop, but you could gain a little just as easily.

Do you have a prop-exchange dealer in your area? They let you "test drive" several props and keep the one that works best. In water testing will be the key and a three blade design MAY be best for you, I just don't want you to sumarily dismiss the four blades, for a fear of lost top end that may also happen with a different three blade.

My boat (granted it is not a toon) came with three blade prop, one of the props I tried was a four blade Comprop. I dropped 1 inch in pitch from 21" to 20" and my top speed did not change, although everything below that did improve. Of course when all four blades sheered off while pulling a tube, I went back to metal, and bought a Hustler. Yes, I did gain another 1 mph with this prop, but this was from 47 to 48, a solid 20 mph faster than your situation.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

I will have to check with some local Marinas and see if they offer a prop exchange program. That would be ideal. I think I will however listen and skip the SS prop for now. at least another Alum prop that does not perform can become a spare. Having a $300 spare SS prop would be a little crazy.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/Ho.../7829/?**********=762854133&*******=870247244

New Saturn ? All-around Performance Propeller

• Three blade stainless steel propeller.
• Offers good acceleration and all-around performance
• Smaller pitch sizes offered in extra large diameter with increased blade area.
• Large ear design is ideal for pontoons, commercial hulls and heavy loads.
• Tough heavy duty rubber bushing smoothes shifting and won?t slip.
• Solas stainless steel propellers feature the industries highest percentage of chromium, nickel and molybdenum materials to resist rust from salt water and increase the stability of the propeller blades.

Applications
New Saturn propellers offer the best performance in outboard powered Inflatable?s, Aluminum, Heavy Work, Pleasure, Runabouts, Pontoon boats and stern driven House boats.

That should keep you at 5800 and its a pusher prop. You may want to go to the Outboards section and be sure that motor is at its best at 5800...good luck

 

[inPursuit]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

If your boat is running well and the motor is happy with the current size prop you are turning, I would not adjust pitch. The Solas New Saturn was a good suggestion. I think the part number you will be looking for is 1431-138-13.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Changing from Alum to Stainless on a Pontoon

The RPM range for my motor is 5k - 6k rpm. So at 5800 I am very happy. I will have to look into the Saturn prop but I think for starters I will go ahead and order the Turning Point prop since this will leave me with a spare unless I can find a Marina that will let me test out a few before buying one.

Thanks for all the advice, This is going to be season 2 with the Toon and I already added the second battery and Perko so now I want the backup prop.