I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

[budsbud66]

Boat: 1996 Starcraft 160t (16ft tiller) <br />3 batteries / kicker / bowmount / 20 gal gas tank<br />(most of the wieght is in the mid to back of the boat)<br /><br />Motor: 1984 65 HP Commercial.<br /><br />Current prop: 13 3/4 x 15p Aluminum Stock OMC<br /><br />Ok, I just got my tach installed. After some kind advice for drilling out my stock 13 3/4 x 15p prop i had huge gains. engine now revs when under load and shoots out of the hole once RPMS are gained. <br /><br />Once planed and trimmed out my max RPM's are around 5600-5800RPM @ 30.6 mph (good boat control, no cavitation or chine walking. whale tail is completly out of the water. Boat is no where near riding on the pad. Drilling the prop had no effect on top end.<br /><br />I Also have tried a 13 1/4 x 17p aluminum stock OMC prop. With this prop (undrilled) i could not leave plane by my self. i needed a buddy to jump on the bow i did gain about 2mph, but it took forever to get up there. (this was befor the tach was installed)<br /><br />im looking into investing in a stainless steel prop. but have no idea what size pitch brand ect to think about getting... I really want the holeshot to be as good as it is with the drilled aluminum prop.. but i would like to gain a few mph. is 34-35 mph to much to ask?<br /><br />Just looking for opinions.. If you need more info just let me know.. <br />thanks for your help!<br /><br />

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[Silvertip]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

For hole-shot you simply cannot beat Nauticus Smart Tabs especially on a stern heavy boat. They are inexpensive (relatively) and you can get them here on iBoats. Not only do they help get you on plane, they do so at lower speed and allow you to stay on plane at slower speeds. Lose the whale tale. No -- I don't work for Nauticus. I use their product and believe me it works.<br /><br />Where do you hang your hat in central Wisconsin. Although I've been in Minnestoa since 1964 I hale from the Dairy State (near Medford) originally and get back often.

 

[budsbud66]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

tabs on a 16ft boat????

 

[stevens]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

"tabs on a 16 ft boat?" ... Smart Tabs, absolutely!<br /><br />Check out their site ( link ) or do a search here at this forum. For holeshot and eliminating bow rise on take-off, they really work.

 

[budsbud66]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

You guys really think so ehh? then i can get rid of the whale tale. <br /><br /><br />any suggestions for a SS prop??? since im running at about 5700 with a an aluminum, i should be able to put a same size SS prop on and get 5500? but im looking for a prop that will have the right geometry.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

Absolutely -- visit Nauticus web site and look at what the whale tail does and doesn't do for you and what automatic tabs will do for you. I have them on a 17'.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

Back in the ball game. <br /><br />team_starcraft: If you will look at your setup you are running a tiller engine and have a large livewell that I assumed (in previous replies) was right next to you on the Port side. You are very much stern heavy and the 65 isn't all that big. You need help getting up.<br /><br />Haven't BTDT, but the whale and smart tabs are attempting to accomplish the same thing. Common sense tells me the the tabs will do the job more efficiently than the tail and efficiency means mph. Some of the folks that have used them attest to that.<br /><br />On the new prop, You already experienced what venting a prop will do for your hole shot. So you don't need any convincing.<br /><br />When you get your new SS prop, make sure it is vented....all are not necessarily vented.<br /><br />Now on top speed, if you get a higher performance prop with more pitch/cupping or whatever, if your engine is up to it (can hold up it's rpm's reasonably well with the increased load, you will get more speed.<br /><br />Your pad isn't buying you much of anything at 30 mph. You really need to get to hauling the mail for that to do what it was designed to do.<br /><br />My 2c again.<br /><br />Glad you are making progress, but if you really want to get there, get you some more hosses.<br /><br />Mark

 

[budsbud66]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

The boat is rated for a max of 65. are their some engine mods that i can do to get 5-10hp, i thought about shaving the head to get 9-1 compression. <br /><br />Or do you think i should maybe look at getting a 75hp motor?<br /><br />im willing to bet a 95-98 evinrude 75hp would make this thing fly, perhaps that is the ticket to the 35mph im looking at getting.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

I would go with a 75 if you have the means. I've had 2 16' boats in the past that both had 75 'rudes on them. Still wasn't fast enough. Now I have a little bigger boat with a 150. Now I'm trying to go 50!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

Team<br /><br />Your 35 number with a 75 sounds great. But if the rig is only rated for 65 you have other issues to consider.<br /><br />I know nothing of your situation, other than what you showed us, but to have that much boat strangled down to a 65 max hp is unimaginable.<br /><br />But what do I know.<br /><br />Just for an FYI. I can't give you the www as it is against rules on this site, but if you www and go to "rivertrail.com". the picture you see is a 17' bass boat (tin lizzie), but it doesn't sound like it (quiet) due to floatation and carpeting. I have one and have a 90 Merc on it and with a Ballistic 13 1/2 x 24 I just rolled 52 miles per hour. And not only that, I have been playing with it and I can goose it, straight away and in turns, tight turns, and it just goes nuts. Just loves it. My eyes water so bad, I almost can't see where I'm going. But somehow I'm managing. Grin<br /><br />Mark

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

The 65HP rating does seem fishy. Both of the 16' I've owned were rated for a 90HP. Maybe you could check manufacturers specifications to see where that rating comes from.

 

[budsbud66]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

you mean why its rated for 65? god, a 90 would be awsome on this boat. i even have an extra 90 johnson laying around.. but its huge 1983 v4 i dont think it could be converted to a tiller..<br /><br />i cant imagine being able to go in the mid 40's i would be able to get to some tourny fishing spots in 20 minutes less times..<br />every year i fish a tourny in which i have to go 35miles from down a river to flowage into a lake..<br />last year i took 2nd place. 1st place would have been within grasps going 45-50mph.. <br />God i cant wait till im done with frickin school.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

Lets look at a couple of things first. It's a 1984 65. I noticed you said that once it's up and "trimmed out" .......<br /><br />The 65 comm. tiller didn't come with power trim. There was a power tilt available, but not trim. However, that doesn't mean someone couldn't have added one or even used a 70 midsection. <br /><br />A pad bottom, stepped hull will most certianly require power trim to work correctly.<br /><br />Do you have power trim?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

A console isn't out of reach on installation. Several years back, I installed a console on a tiller boat, spent less than $200.00 by going to a local salvage yard and becoming buddies with the guys who ran it. This gets you out of the stern, making it easier to get out of the hole, and drive. Might be a fun project next winter! May still be cold up there now, it can be done in a weekend. How stout is your transom?

 

[budsbud66]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

power trim is that hydralic unit that makes my moter <br />tilt back right?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

Power trim will move the motor in and out even at wot. Power tilt will move it up and down but not under very much of a load.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

team.<br /><br />Thought we were talking about Power trim. If you dunno, find out and then we will continue. Having had a couple or 3 OMC's and only one with an after market OEM trim I installed, it is easy to misidentify a tilt system with a trim system. But from a performance standpoint; it's day and night.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Dhadley]

Re: I need some Prop opinions, I finaly got some numbers!

OK, that's a trim unit that someone added, a good thing. Anyway if you're at 5800 with a 15" prop then thats about where you want to be with a ss. Obviously you could improve on things but you'll need a jackplate to go any higher. <br /><br />Just a couple thoughts -- to start make sure the motor is tucked in as far as it'll go then trim out as it comes on plane. With the aluminum prop it'll probably vent pretty easy. <br /><br />If you go to a ss without a jackplate dont worry about the higher end props like a Turbo. Something like a Stiletto will do just fine. If you plan on adding a jackplate, even a manual one, then consider the higher end props.<br /><br />Just to make things easier on someone slow like me, try to keep all the posts on the same subject on one thread. <br /><br />I believe the Smart Tabs would be a help too. With or without a jackplate but remember -- one change at a time.