Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

[Quick VR-4]

Hey guys,

My holeshot sucks and I need a prop that will do a better job even if I have to sacrifice some top-end. Here are the particulars:

1) Need better holeshot...if more than 3 people in the boat, I have to move people up front to get it to plain out in a timely manner.
2) I do not know prop manufacturer, but here is what is on prop - V/O Turbo Aluminum
3) 14 1/4 x 20 - 3 Blade
4) Wide open throttle runs about 5500 rpm...about 45 mph...avg load is 4300 lbs.
5) Volvo Penta 5.0L, 2006, not sure HP?, Volvo Penta SX drive
6) Azure AZ200, 2006, 20ft, dry weight 3,950

I know that I need to switch to a 4-blade and these boats have issues plaining out anyway so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have pics of boat, prop, and drive that I can post if that would help.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Can share my experience. I had an AL 3 blade 21P on my 18' bowrider w/220 hp MPI. Swapped out to a 4 blade SS 19P. Same diameter. Difference in my case was remarkable. Boat went on plane much quicker, and stayed on plane at a lower speed.
Even when loaded with several passengers- no more moving people "up".
The place I got the prop gave me the recommendation- and also allows swaps outs. If I would have needed to I could have taken the prop back, assuming no damage, and they'd allow trades in case I wanted a different pitch. They only offer that on SS props. You might consider something like that. Sometimes you just have to try em out and see.

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Can share my experience. I had an AL 3 blade 21P on my 18' bowrider w/220 hp MPI. Swapped out to a 4 blade SS 19P. Same diameter. Difference in my case was remarkable. Boat went on plane much quicker, and stayed on plane at a lower speed.
Even when loaded with several passengers- no more moving people "up".
The place I got the prop gave me the recommendation- and also allows swaps outs. If I would have needed to I could have taken the prop back, assuming no damage, and they'd allow trades in case I wanted a different pitch. They only offer that on SS props. You might consider something like that. Sometimes you just have to try em out and see.

Thanks for the reply. Just browsing some other threads, the consensus I seem to be reading is a 14 1/2 x 18/19 in a SS 4-blade. I knew everyone on this board is very knowledgeable and this is my first I/O boat.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

5500 rpm now? And it's a dog on holeshot? That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me...

5,500 is quite a substantial over-rev for a Volvo 5.0. Depending on which model you have, 4,800 or 5,000 is more likely what you should be turning. And if you move from your 20 pitch down to a 18 or 19, you're certainly not fixing the over-rev condition...more likely even worsening it. Running those high RPMS is very hard on your motor and outdrive. Of course going larger pitch to bring your RPMS down will likely WORSEN your holeshot...and that's not good.

Possibly related topic: When did this boat last receive a comprehensive tune-up? Timing check, plugs, carb tune (or is it an EFI model?), throttle cable adjust (are butterflies opening fully at WOT?) etc...

You didn't provide quite enough info to allow a complete analysis. For people here to help they might need to know which 5.0 you have...pretty sure they offerd a 220 and a 270 hp version for the 5.0. Definitely need to know what your outdrive ratio is...the exact engine model might tell us that. And also need to know your exact RPM and speeds...GPS speed would be ideal. Not just approximations as it seems you provided.

You indiciate this is your first I/O...maybe just a driving habit problem. Are you trimming full down for accelleration, and then trimming out for max efficiency and speed when under way? Or are you not using your trim button in that fashion? Many boats will be VERY difficult to plane if you don't trim full down before take-off.

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

5500 rpm now? And it's a dog on holeshot? That just doesn't make a lot of sense to me...

5,500 is quite a substantial over-rev for a Volvo 5.0. Depending on which model you have, 4,800 or 5,000 is more likely what you should be turning. And if you move from your 20 pitch down to a 18 or 19, you're certainly not fixing the over-rev condition...more likely even worsening it. Running those high RPMS is very hard on your motor and outdrive. Of course going larger pitch to bring your RPMS down will likely WORSEN your holeshot...and that's not good.

Possibly related topic: When did this boat last receive a comprehensive tune-up? Timing check, plugs, carb tune (or is it an EFI model?), throttle cable adjust (are butterflies opening fully at WOT?) etc...

You didn't provide quite enough info to allow a complete analysis. For people here to help they might need to know which 5.0 you have...pretty sure they offerd a 220 and a 270 hp version for the 5.0. Definitely need to know what your outdrive ratio is...the exact engine model might tell us that. And also need to know your exact RPM and speeds...GPS speed would be ideal. Not just approximations as it seems you provided.

You indiciate this is your first I/O...maybe just a driving habit problem. Are you trimming full down for accelleration, and then trimming out for max efficiency and speed when under way? Or are you not using your trim button in that fashion? Many boats will be VERY difficult to plane if you don't trim full
down before take-off.

***EDIT*** I just looked at a pic of my tach and I am running 5,000 RPM's at WOT. I was going off memory as I have not had my boat out this year.

Sorry I have not provided enough info, but I purchased this boat used last year without any documentation included. The boat was a w2006 with 65 hours on and in very good condition. The seller was very honest and said he had everything checked out, oil change, and tune-up in preperation to sell it. I asked the marina that did my winterization this year and they confirmed that everything looked good and would not worry about a service until the end of this season. If you could give me an idea how to find out this info, I would be more than happy to track it down. When I said this was my first I/O, I have been on the lake for 15 years and very familiar with boats. I always trim down when taking off. I was hoping to get a prop before I put in the water, but maybe that is not an option. I am having my lift installed in two weeks and was hoping to have new prop on and leave the boat in the water for the summer. I might take a chance since others with similar boats have had success switching to 4-blade in the 19 pitch range.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Ahhh....5,000. Big diff. If that's accurate, that's probably pretty good.

Agree switching from 3 blade to 4 blade is generally good for hole shot, and dropping 1" of pitch doing the same is often a good idea, ESPECIALLY if you're going from aluminum to stainless.

I say try it. You're probably in the ballpark.

I've been very pleased with Solas Titan HR4 stainless props on my Volvo 5.0 I/O Stingray. I have a 21 and a 19. 19 over-revs a bit, 21 underrevs a bit. Depends on my load and usage of the day. Can't really compare apples to apples with your boat since mine is lighter and substantially different hull design...I can run 58 mph GPS easily with this prop....so I know it's good for speed too, even though a 4 blade isn't necessarily known for this.

Those Solas props are often very reasonably priced for the performance and quality they offer. $300-ish is typical if you shop around a bit. I scored one very recently for $265 shipped to my door brand spankin' new...

Stilletto is another to consider, never owned one but I believe they're very good. But I think they do even #'s pitches...like 18 and 20 would likely be your options.

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Ahhh....5,000. Big diff. If that's accurate, that's probably pretty good.

Agree switching from 3 blade to 4 blade is generally good for hole shot, and dropping 1" of pitch doing the same is often a good idea, ESPECIALLY if you're going from aluminum to stainless.

I say try it. You're probably in the ballpark.

I've been very pleased with Solas Titan HR4 stainless props on my Volvo 5.0 I/O Stingray. I have a 21 and a 19. 19 over-revs a bit, 21 underrevs a bit. Depends on my load and usage of the day. Can't really compare apples to apples with your boat since mine is lighter and substantially different hull design...I can run 58 mph GPS easily with this prop....so I know it's good for speed too, even though a 4 blade isn't necessarily known for this.

Those Solas props are often very reasonably priced for the performance and quality they offer. $300-ish is typical if you shop around a bit. I scored one very recently for $265 shipped to my door brand spankin' new...

Stilletto is another to consider, never owned one but I believe they're very good. But I think they do even #'s pitches...like 18 and 20 would likely be your options.

Thanks Craze,

I will definitely take a look at those props because that sounds very reasonable for SS and it is even better when you have good experiences with them. I appreciate your help!!!

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Quick question. I called to order the prop you suggested and he tried to steer me in an entirely different direction??? He said I needed to go with a 17p adn i told him I was worried about what RPM range that would put me in since I run 5,000 now with a 20??? Any thoughts???

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

No a 17 while it will improve your hole shot will just about put your rpm off the scale.
A 4 blade like suggested is the way to go.It would appear a 19 would put you at about 5,000.
Difficult to be comepletely accurate when changing materials. Prop will do everything they said plus respond better at the dock.By the way its not unusual to have to move folks forward to improve hole shot.especially if you have 2 or 3 sitting in a stern seat,even with lots of hp.

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

That is what I was thinking when the guy suggested a 17p. I talked to Ben @ Propmd and he concured with everyone else saying a good 4-blade SS 14 1/2x19 would be a good starting point so I am going to pull teh trigger. Thansk for everyone's input and suggestions.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Great please let us know how you make out.good luck

 

[Quick VR-4]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Update:

Well, new prop is on and I finally got the boat in the water. No GPS for speed yet, but I can tell the holeshot is GREATLY improved. Seems like the boat wants to jump on plain instead of laboring in the water like before. RPM's have dropped to 4600 at full throttle which is not bad. Top speed feels relatively the same, but I am sure I lost a couple MPH's. I appreicate everyone's suggestions and looks like I made a good choice.

Thanks,

 

[azureaz200]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

Update:

Well, new prop is on and I finally got the boat in the water. No GPS for speed yet, but I can tell the holeshot is GREATLY improved. Seems like the boat wants to jump on plain instead of laboring in the water like before. RPM's have dropped to 4600 at full throttle which is not bad. Top speed feels relatively the same, but I am sure I lost a couple MPH's. I appreicate everyone's suggestions and looks like I made a good choice.

Thanks,

Hey, Just wanted to inquire as to what specific brand prop you picked? I have same boat and engine and similarly would like to improve hole shot (would prefer not to take too much off of my top end two but understand you usually can't have both. My only difference is that we generally have the 3900 lb boat plus a 2/3 fuel tank and 1000 lb people and gear. Would you suggest the same prop, or would you have opted for something different having now tested it. Was your loss on rpm because of the change from 3-4 blades? I'd appreciate any suggestions...

thanks

 

[steelespike]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

You might better click on quicks name and send him a pm (personal message).
I think its inlikely he will be reading this old topic.

 

[azureaz200]

Re: Need advice on prop choice...need better holeshot!!!!!

You might better click on quicks name and send him a pm (personal message).
I think its inlikely he will be reading this old topic.

Agreed, thanks.