is this a good prop choice?

[skysurfer2010]

I need a new prop since the last ride of my season last year I must have hit something in the water and I took a chip the size of a quarter out of an edge of my aluminum stock prop.

I went to this website (http://www.dansdiscountprops.com) and it had a "prop wizard" that selected some props based on the information entered:

My Boat
97 Monterey Montura 18.5' br 86" beam
2,200lbs dry weight
Volvo Penta 3.0GS 135hp SX outdrive
WOT should be between 4,200 and 4,600 according to manual
14x19 omc original prop
4,900rpms indicated on stock tach WOT
34mph top speed indicated on speedometer when it decides to work

Typical Riding Conditions
often 2 people, sometimes 4, rarely 6 (none over weight )
average 16 gallons of gas
sea level
calm to light chop fresh water

*No watersports yet, but I'd like to get into them this year. Boat will still be used primarily for cruising with the occasional skier/tuber.


Based on this information, the prop wizard recommended these props:

Hustler aluminum 14-1/4 x 19 (for watersports) $111 with hub kit
Hustler aluminum 14-1/4 x 21 (for speed) $111 with hub kit


Since my boat was indicating a higher rpm at WOT than what's recommend for my engine and the stock prop is a 14x19 I'm thinking the 14-1/4 x 21 might be a better choice? Is this correct? Ideally I'd like to pick up some top end speed. Also, is Hustler an ok brand?

Also, I was looking for a step by step with pictures on how to do a prop swap but wasn't able to find anything. I also looked on you tube with no luck. It looks relatively easy, but I can't visualize the part of putting a block of wood behind the prop to remove something. Does anyone know of a step by step with pics/ video on how to do this? Also, how difficult are these to remove? I wouldn't be shocked if this is the original prop it sold with 13 years ago.

Thanks for any replies/ advice in advance.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

I just realized that this forum has a store as well! Now I'm even more confused. Under the 21" pitch for my engine, they also have the following choices:

Solas Amita 14-3/10 x 21 $88 w/ free shipping
Solas Amita 15-3/10 x 21 $98 w/ free shipping
Hustler 14-1/4 x 21 $104
Solas Rubex 14-3/10 x 21 $113
MIW Vortex 14-1/4 x 21 $115

Are the solas Amita props any good? They're pretty inexpensive! Also what would be the better diameter? I understand what pitch does in regards to rpms/ speed, but what does the diameter affect? I'd assume the larger diameter moves more water through therefore also reducing rpms and increasing torque/ speed. Am I correct?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

Hey skysurfer2010, sooo many questions If you take some time and read through the past threads in this prop forum you will find the answers to all of them.

Regarding your specific prop, I believe the 19p Turning Point hustler would give you a nice top end speed and reduce your RPMs by 200-300. In my case I had a 14x17p OMC prop from circa 1995 and a new TP Hustler 13.25 x17p prop. The OMC prop would turn 5500RPM and the hustler would turn 5200 RPM. The hustler is vented so it will spin up quickly when pulling a skier or tubes. It also has very aggressive rake and cup which helps with top end.

Now, Solas also makes a great inexpensive prop. The 4blade Solas Amita is often recomended on this forum. I have one that is a 13p that I use it for heavy loads and water sports. If you were to get a Solas 4blade 19p alum. prop I expect you'd have better low end power and handling but 2 or 3 mph less on the top end.

Both the 4 blade solas and the 3 blade TP Hustler should put you back into the correct RPM range. A 21p prop is too much.

hth, cheers.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

Believe me I spent well over an hour looking for the specific answers on this forum and couldn't find the exact information I need before my eyes and brain went numb.

As far as the 4 blade prop I'd definitely like to stay away from them. The boat is slow enough and I'm not going to be doing a lot of towing. The majority of time is spent cruising around. Actually... the majority of the time the engine isn't even running

I think you pretty much sold me on the Hustler, but I'm not sure if I want to go with a 19 or 21 pitch. It's already turning 4,900rpms with a 19". I understand what you said, but if the turning point only brings it down 200rpms then it will still be turning 4,700rpms which is still 100rpms over the max recommended for my engine. I'm still leaning towards the 21", but now you threw a wrench into my plans!

No disrespect at all intended towards Trendsetter (and thank you for the advice and information!), but does anyone else have an opinion?

 

[hwsiii]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

Sky, Trend is trying to help you as much as he can with the information you have given us, and I know you tried to do as good a job as you could. And the numbers you gave us show a high prop slip, if I have the right information on your motor.

I show your motor to have a manufacturers WOT RPM of between 4,200 to 4,600 RPM and a gear ratio of 2:1, please verify this.

If this is the case then your prop slip is at 23% and you have an effective prop pitch of only 14.6", and I recommend that any time it goes over 15% you need to look at changing props. Here are my numbers:

Prop Slip

If you will take your boat out again and use a GPS, even a handheld or a phone one for speed and tell us how much extra people and weight on your boat we can give you a much better recommendation for a better prop.



H

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

I talked to the guy from the prop shop today and we agreed on a 21" pitch based on what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a little more top end. I purchased a 14-1/4 x 21 Hustler turning point prop. I'll send out my old prop and have it reconditioned and use it for any time I plan on towing. Right now I'd like to just pick up some top end cruising speed.

You are right on the rpms and gear ratio. Unfortunately I don't have a GPS anymore so I can only tell you what my speedometer read last season which was around 34mph. I do realize that could be off, but I don't think it's too far off since it felt pretty slow. That was with just me and one other person on board with maybe 60lbs extra weight on board tops.

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

I finally put my boat in the water the other day. Top speed was 38mph according to the speedo at 4400rpms. I'm pretty happy with my prop choice!

 

[hwsiii]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

Sky, your choice has ended up doing well for you, your prop slip is now down to 13% from the previous 23% you had before and your speed increased 4 MPH. You did very well.



H

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: is this a good prop choice?

Thanks! I'm very happy with my choice. Even in cruise I noticed a good 3 or 4mph difference.