Looking for a SS prop

[Old Crow]

For my aluminum fishing boat,
2004 Lund Angler SS
17' 2" single side counsel
2004 Yamaha F115TLRC
5000 to 6000 operating range
5500 max hp
13 X 19 aluminum prop
Currently runs about 6000 rpm with boat lightly loaded
2.7 to 2.9 mph trolling
42 to 43 mph wot @ 75% trim
Cavitation plate is about 1/4" below the bottom of the boat and it not visible @ WOT
Top mounting bolt is in the second from the top hole on the motor

Note: running the current set up at WOT the prop will loose grip and cavitate when trying to turn

Also when recommending props would prefer "Made in the USA" but all recommendations will be considered
Thanks

 

[limitout]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

sounds like you need to raise the motor one notch then retry and see how it does because the cav plate should be level or just above the bottom but not below it.

if the rpms hold true as they are now, then you need to go up to a 21 pitch which "should" drop your rpms by 400

 

[steelespike]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

At this point raising the motor will likely aggravate the ventilation.
Your setup is right on for just about every criteria. Everything is as it should be but for the ventilation in turns.
It is normal to trim down a little for turns.Does this help?
If your thinking "made in USA" contact "Michigan wheel" I'm sure they will have a suggestion
and you can get it right here.
I think they have been making props since god rested on the 7th day.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

Your setup sounds perfect. Throw another case of beer in the boat or a few big fish and you'll be right in the max HP range. You might gain a tiny bit with a SS prop, hardly enough to measure. Why a new prop? Maybe looking to get a new one and keep the old one for a spare?

 

[limitout]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

Your setup sounds perfect. Throw another case of beer in the boat or a few big fish and you'll be right in the max HP range. You might gain a tiny bit with a SS prop, hardly enough to measure. Why a new prop? Maybe looking to get a new one and keep the old one for a spare?

having the cav plate not visible at (wot) is NOT perfect setup its too low but im not going to say its wrong because every setup is unique to the boat motor combo.

the "standard" recommended cav plate height is even with or just "above" the bottom hull level and I was always told being higher is better then being lower then the hull if you had to go one way or the other. that is why I recommened he raise it.

as to the blowout issue, I don't know enough about props and will yield to the experts on that.

as to why he wants a new prop, he is maxing out his motors "safe" rpm range and is right to be concerned about damaging the motor if its not propped correctly

For my aluminum fishing boat,
2004 Lund Angler SS
17' 2" single side counsel
2004 Yamaha F115TLRC

is that the motor that came on it? it seams like a 115 is a lot of motor for an 17ft aluminum boat

 

[steelespike]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

Not saying your wrong on the height. What I'm saying is "at this point" it will aggravate the ventilation issue.
By the way, Crow, You don't feel cavitation.what you have is ventilation.The prop becomes air fouled
and loses grip.Cavitation occurs on the underside of the blades.There are usually low pressure areas where the water
actually boils.Over time it will erode paint and material.Usually just a cosmetic issue and doesn't damage the prop.
Cavitation can be an indication a prop is working really well.
Ventilation can be a prop issue or a setup problem or something about the hull that disturbs the water in front of or near the prop
or obviously a combination of these.
limitout is absolutely right. I usually phrase it "even with or slightly above the bottom of the transom".
I usually suggest raising the motor to a point just before ventilation becomes a problem.
Some folks tolerate a slight problem others none.
Many boats will ventilate if pressed hard enough in maneuvers or wave conditions.
It's my feeling if a boat never experiences ventilation the motor may be too low
or perhaps the driver is conservative like me.

 

[Old Crow]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

I'm not the original owner but the boat is rated for a 140 hp.

For the most part I'm happy with the way the boat performs except for the ventilation (thanks for the clarification)
Maybe I'm a too aggressive with it, I am trimmed up a lot when trying to turn, maybe I need to slow down and trim down.
I was thinking of going SS because I heard they help the ventilation issue

 

[limitout]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

I'm not the original owner but the boat is rated for a 140 hp.

For the most part I'm happy with the way the boat performs except for the ventilation (thanks for the clarification)
Maybe I'm a too aggressive with it, I am trimmed up a lot when trying to turn, maybe I need to slow down and trim down.
I was thinking of going SS because I heard they help the ventilation issue

wow, I know yours isn't a flatboat design but its not much different except for the full vee bow and my modified vee 17ft x 52" flatboat is rated at max 50 hp so yours is almost triple that

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

a big part of the max hp formula comes from the transom width, its not all about shape or length. Many Bass boats get their high hp from having a very wide transom.

 

[Old Crow]

Re: Looking for a SS prop

I contacted Michigan Wheel and they are recommending an Apollo prop (993145)
This prop has the same pitch but a little bigger diameter @ 13.125

Can't say for all their props but this one is not made in the states