How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
76
I bought a 6hp in very nice shape (1966 model i believe) for $110 and cleaned the carb and it runs very nice!! I added a "pee hole" to the thermostat housing so i can always be sure its pumping water and it does. I cleaned the points and it has better spark than any thing I have ever seen I don't even need the pull starter to see nice strong blue spark I can just rotate the flywheel with my finger. But its not a runability problem here I have a 14 foot starcraft with a front deck that's probably just a little big for the motor. I have had and been keeping my eyes peeled for a 15hp omc motor for a while now that's in my price range with no luck so far (there is lots of snow on the ground and most people are not thinking about selling boat motors right now) I search creigslist multiple times a week too. So I was wondering if I could make my 6hp have a little more "guts" because its kinda slow with this motor (nowhere near plane but just a little more speed and I would be happy) I see Iboats sells multiple props for this motor in two and three blade so maybe a prop would give me better power as i have what looks like a small two blade prop. If there is engine mods I can do as I'm a mechanic and small engines are nothing new to me but trying to get a little more speed out of a boat is lol! I could set it for full throttle and take a nap while slowly head to my fishing spots if I wanted lmao! SO if you have any ideas input is greatly accepted :)

Thanks in advance its also been a long time since I have poasted as I forgot my user name but I figured it all out :)
 
R

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
38,466
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

The 6 hp is a purpose built fishing motor and one of the best for that purpose.--------No modifications recommended.
 
1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
76
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

I know nothing about boat props so ask me questions if needed about my setup and such and help me pick a prop for more speed and power. My original is in nice shape but it looks wimpy to me hahaha. what are advantages to having a three blade over two? Whats a good pitch to go with for my needs? To me it looks like boat props have come a long way in technology and the newer ones deliver more thrust with less power but I could be trash talking because I'm a newbie. I know very little about making a boat faster but I can make a go cart or pickup truck faster as it has wheels not a propeller. I will gladly get any information of my boat or motor if it makes figuring out my problem easier

THANK YOU
 
1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Messages
76
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

racerone said:
The 6 hp is a purpose built fishing motor and one of the best for that purpose.--------No modifications recommended.
Click to expand...

Yes sir I was not looking at doing anything to the power head but its too slow to get to all the fishing areas I want in one day! Its amazingly quiet and extremely reliable but like I said I know nothing about props other than they spin and push water and there is 2, 3, and 4 blade props. SO I was looking at if a larger pitch 3 blade would help my speed a little.
 
oldboat1

oldboat1

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Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
9,612
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

not sure which Starcraft you have. I run an open 14' with a '50s 18. 10 pushes it pretty well too. Again, depends on the hull and you may just be underpowered at the moment, as you say -- might try shifting your weight forward, if you haven't tried that -- steer from the middle seat. Hull speed could increase noticeably, maybe more than with a prop change.
 
F

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

You have six horsepower. Well, maybe 5 1/2 horsepower if it isn't running optimally. The prop connects that horsepower to the water. Going to a three blade prop, may give it a bit better "connection", but it certainly isn't going to make any great changes in the available horsepower. Might as well face it, six horsepower isn't enough to plane the boat, no matter how you connect it to the water. And if you can't plane it, it isn't going to go enough faster to even detect. Be content with what you have and save your money for a more suitable motor for the boat.
 
Sharp Shooter

Sharp Shooter

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 5, 2008
Messages
293
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

A small nitrous oxide kit should do it. :pop2:
 
coolbri70

coolbri70

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 6, 2011
Messages
1,554
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

switch to oars or a small trolling motor for a few trips then switch back to the 6, you will think you are flying. this works for me when I start thinking my 85 is slow I switch to the kicker for a while then switch back and it hauls a, I got the idea when I drove my truck all winter and got back in my mustang one spring and was like wow, I don't remember this car being so fast
 
MikDee

MikDee

Banned
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
4,745
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

Get the Solas Amita 3 blade prop, for $55 and try shimming your motor a bit higher each time on the transom till you're happy with it.
 
B

BigB9000

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,154
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

Ive even towed a tube using my 6HP!

With the 3 of us, we had a good 600 pounds in that boat, and the drag from the tube.
Did just fine.
 

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1946Zephyr

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
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Messages
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Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

I wouldn't bother trying to boost anything on that 6hp. It'll cut into your beer time and it's not worth the money. The 6 is a great motor, but it's best to just buy something bigger.
 
R

raczekp1

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Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
1,327
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

Nice article how to restore
 
1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
76
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

oldboat1 said:
not sure which Starcraft you have. I run an open 14' with a '50s 18. 10 pushes it pretty well too. Again, depends on the hull and you may just be underpowered at the moment, as you say -- might try shifting your weight forward, if you haven't tried that -- steer from the middle seat. Hull speed could increase noticeably, maybe more than with a prop change.
Click to expand...

Yes sir!! Me and my friends are about 120-130 lb and I sit in back and my friends sit in the front so the boat is balanced nicely. I can move the boat on and off the trailer on land by my self as it is kinda lite and its 14 foot long. I will upload a picture of it
 
1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
76
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

F_R said:
You have six horsepower. Well, maybe 5 1/2 horsepower if it isn't running optimally. The prop connects that horsepower to the water. Going to a three blade prop, may give it a bit better "connection", but it certainly isn't going to make any great changes in the available horsepower. Might as well face it, six horsepower isn't enough to plane the boat, no matter how you connect it to the water. And if you can't plane it, it isn't going to go enough faster to even detect. Be content with what you have and save your money for a more suitable motor for the boat.
Click to expand...
That was my plan just wanted to know if there was a way I could get a little more out of it while I save up. It is running 100% 6hp as I am a mechanic so i know motors
 
1

14 foot Starcraft

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
76
Re: How to make a 6hp have more power/thrust????

coolbri70 said:
switch to oars or a small trolling motor for a few trips then switch back to the 6, you will think you are flying. this works for me when I start thinking my 85 is slow I switch to the kicker for a while then switch back and it hauls a, I got the idea when I drove my truck all winter and got back in my mustang one spring and was like wow, I don't remember this car being so fast
Click to expand...
Yah I know the feeling lol! It's like going from my dads 03 duramax to my 89 ranger 4x4 2v9 177ci lol
 
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