i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Thanks Kenny, live and learn I guess. I figured if OMC said to start at 7/32, who am I to question it? Do you think the JB Weld will stand up to the test of time or should I consider welding up the holes?<br /><br />Thanks again<br /><br />Dave

 

[walleyehed]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

The holes would need to be perfectly clean as there is very little contact area for adhesive.<br />There are several ways to fix this, of course 1 is to weld it shut. Another is to take a counter sink bit of a larger size and countersink the hole, clean and apply Marine-tex. When I say clean, I mean solvent such as methal ethal ketone, and then light soap and water and dry.<br />The area of the countersinking adds alot of area for adhesion.<br />And, of course, you can take it to a good prop-shop and have merc PVS plugs put in, which in this case, would be my last resort.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

dave, i never had this diagram when i did mine.<br /><br />i just picked a spot and went,"yeah, looks good"

 

[ob]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Have em welded in Dave.Then you don't have to inpsect it all the time to insure the epoxy hasn't let go.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Advice taken guys. I have a friend with an arc welder. Will that work or do I need it MIG welded?<br />And Mike...I use the T-LAR method(That Looks About Right)on lots of things, but I went with the diagram on this one.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Dave

 

[ob]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

You can stick weld it with stainless rods.Just need to clean the slag out between dob passes until you get the void filled good.Heli-arc would be a cleaner and more pure weld but not necessarily needed for that job.Caution on the initial temp setting on the arc welder.Might want to hit it on a low range initial setting or use a test piece.Wouldn't want to blow a bigger hole.

 

[sawblade]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

I just bought a 4 blade stiletto prop that has a smaller hub so exhaust gases can vent over and thru the hub. #ST10423

 

[fireman57]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Alright, something else to throw into the mix. I just restored an early 70's fiberglass 14.5ft boat. Put my trusty '91 25horse johnny on it and the hole shot is terrible. I know that I am underpowered as the boat is rated for a 50hp. I ordered the smart tabs but the weather has not broke enough for me to install them yet. I have it trimmed the best I can right now. Are you guys saying that if I drill these small holes that I may not need the tabs at all? Or would the combination be better. Vent holes might only help if you have the power you need. When I put three guys in this boat I could swimm almost as fast and it takes forever to plane. I almost need to go downhill for a plane.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

You WILL NOT compensate for the Tabs by drilling holes...period.<br />You have 50% of the max HP on your boat and the Tabs are the best answer to your problems in that application.

 

[fireman57]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Kenny that's what I figured. Thanks for the reply. Crappie season is about two weeks away and I have four weeks of stuff backed up. I guess tabs will do until I can lay my hands on a 50. Don't mind rebuilding them if the original price is right.

 

[Danible]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Can someone take pictures of their prop to see where the holes are for a better visual.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[rkhanso]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Are there certain boat/motor combinations drilling these holes will work for? <br /><br />How about '92 Glastron 17' Fish/Ski with 90HP Johnson?<br /><br />I think it planes out pretty quick, but really don't have anything to compare it to.<br /><br />_____________________________________________<br />edit:<br /><br />Never mind, the prop came with holes already. <br /><br />But, I suppose I could plug them to see if there's a difference....<br /><br />Like I have time to waste.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Fireman57;<br /><br />I have always said that HP is not the entire answer, and that a lower horsepower boat can often perform significantly better than you may expect if the hull efficiency is improved.<br /><br />I would be interested, and maybe others would also, to here how you feel your boat improved with the lower HP and the use of Smart Tabs. With the cost of gas going up more efficiency and a less hugary motor should be of interest.<br /><br />Thanks;<br /><br />John

 

[fireman57]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

I received them about 2 weeks ago John and the woman I talked to was great. I told her what I had and she didn't promise me the moon and I don't expect the moon. I'm going to try to get them installed this week sometime but the river is at 32 feet right now. Pool is 18 and flood is 40 if that helps you. The nearest lake that I can run this engine in is over an hour away. I definitely will post the results. I expect that I will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[kenwood714]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

I am picking up a 97 115 merc tommarow and it has a stock ss prop that came on a champion boat. I am replace a old 78 modle 85 chrysler that has a bad powerhead . We won't go into why, but my fault. Anyway the Merc prop is a 4 blade. Would drilling this prop give any advatage as 4 blades are know for hole shot any way. I know I'm jumping the gun because I won't have it in the water for at least 2 weeks. Just thought some one may have done this before. Just four holes instead of three? I will see how it performs as is of course, it is going on a 82 17' charger and adding a jack plate as well when swapping motors. Why is it us bass guys want that little extra every time..got to get to fish before they run.

 

[SeaGem]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Has anyone tried this on a J/E 225 with a 15x17p ss prop pushing a heavy boat like a 25' Parker or similar?<br />Again, I am looking for a better ability to get up on plane, the speed and performance are o.k.<br />Jim

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

sea gem, yes, you can do this as most larger size motors prpos can be purchased with vent holes already installed.<br /><br />check out mercury marines online prop finder, they have lots of info on these style props.<br /><br />as far as drilling the SS prop, take it to a prop shop and let them do it.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

SeaGem, with a heavy load, start small on hole-size...it doesn't take as big of hole when talking about a boat that takes a fair shake of time to plane out as compared to a high-powered bassboat.

 

[danie]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

As a newcomer to this forum I notice that the discussion of vent holes in a prop or not has been going on for 9 months. Dont you guys think its about time to come to a conclusion? Its either yes or no. Take a chance or be the careful type. Or buy a new/used prop with vent holes and a different pitch to keep as a spare if it does not perform by solving the holeshot problem or sell it again. <br />I also had a holeshot problem because the kids got heavier and the motor gets older by the day but last month I went and bought a 15 pitch s/steel stiletto 4 blader which has (huge) vent holes fitted as standard because a) it is good practice to have more than one spare prop and with different specifications and b) one gets to a stage where its time to upgrade because modified old stuff will not fit the requirements anymore.<br />In my country we are power crazy but always striving towards better holeshot for skiing can only enhance the pleasure (or image).<br />Regards<br />D

 

[SeaGem]

Re: i drilled holes in my prop, guess what happened?

Thanks for the advice Mike & Kenny, I think I'll try it on my spare prop (small holes).<br />Jim