Piranha composite propeller

[zigbat]

1988 18' Seaswirl Sierra Cuddy OMC 2.3L Cobra I/O

I'm thinking about buying a Piranha 3 blade composite propeller 13x17 for my boat
What appeals to me is the blades are replaceable so if they are broken I just have
to replace the damaged blade and the hub is guaranteed for life.
The replaceable blades also let me play with pitch and diameter instead of buying
a new prop each time and they have a blade exchange so I can trade around
untill i get what I like..
This sounds pretty good..

I wanted to ask if anyone has tried these props out and how they did...

 

[Sea Rider]

It's the same system employed by european Propulse Props, although the idea is great seems were not market favoured at least in USA. If not mistaken Piranha only make large props for large HP motors, so probably will never have the oportunity to test one on a portable OB. Adjusting pitch while varying load is a plus, aside from having extra blades to buy if one is broken.

Some will say that being extremely light will not work well, flexing issues at high speed as opposed to SS props while powering larger motors, but that's a wild forum guessing

Seems you'll be the first Iboat's forum member testing those props, if going for one, report your experience whether good or bad to know how it worked out on your combo.

Happy Boating

 

[82rude]

MANY years ago canadiantire sold a composite prop that was suppose to flex and give you a variable pitch.Lets say if you bought a 15p prop it would be 15 at low speed and theoretically flex to 17 p at high speed.I tried one on my 55 looper Johnson triple and it wasnt too bad a prop but for what ever reason they dropped them.Adjustable pitch props is nothing new .I have an aluminum prop from a 1956 Johnson 30hp that you can manually adjust the blades for a wide range of pitches.

 

[gm280]

Composition props are an interesting concept. I am wanting to know the results as well. Years ago when I was avidly flying R/C aircraft, we used composition prop and they were extremely good even at high 23,000 RPM spins. But that was comparing them with nylon and wood versions, not aluminum or stainless steel. And the HP outputs were merely a few or less. Do post your results back on here. :thumb:

 

[steelespike]

To the best of my knowledge if you strike something with the composite prop you will need to replace at least one blade.
If you strike something with the al. prop you may be able to keep it in service by tuning it up.

 

[CraigBarnard]

I think i have one of those with extra blades too.
Dont need it. Send me a PM if you are interested.

 

[zigbat]

To the best of my knowledge if you strike something with the composite prop you will need to replace at least one blade.
If you strike something with the al. prop you may be able to keep it in service by tuning it up.

Yeah It does seem even if ya run it into a little sand it will take it out..
Im not too sure how the blades are attached either...

 

[zigbat]

OK I am going to buy the prop although it may be awhile before i get to use it
I am putting off winterizing because last year here (Portland OR) we had a 100
degree warm snap n October so kinda hoping...

But I will post the prop data I have so far on the 2 I have tested and will add the Pirahna later
I'm new at this so all i really have is WOT and Top speed for a pretty well loaded down boat


1988 18' Seaswirl Sierra Cuddy OMC Cobra 2.3L I/O 128hp
Recommended WOT range 5200 - 5600

Part(s): #2411-133-17
Manufacturer: Solas
Brand: Amita
Material: Aluminum
Diameter: 13 1/4
Pitch: 17
Blades: 3
Rotation: Standard (Clockwise)
WOT: 4640 (-560 - -960 from recommended range)
Top Speed (GPS): 36mph

Part(s): #011001
Manufacturer: Michigan Wheel
Material: Aluminum
Diameter: 14
Pitch: 13
Blades: 3
Rotation: Standard (Clockwise)
WOT - 5330 (within recommended range)
Top Speed (GPS) - 31mph

I intend to buy:

Part(s): #1317XB
Manufacturer: Piranha Propellers
Brand: Piranha XB
Material: Composite
Diameter: 13
Pitch: 17
Blades: 3
Rotation: Standard (Clockwise)

 

[zigbat]

This is pretty impressive, although I would have liked to have seen what it looked like after it ran over the log
Take a look at my avatar to see what my OEM prop looked like after I ran it over a log...

 

[phillnjack2]

DONT BUY THE PIRANHA PROP they are total rubbish.
ive had them years ago, they are a total waste of money and work out very expensive when blades keep breaking.
the performance is not good from them, they flex too much.
the video showing it being hit with a hammer ha ha ha you can break them so easy its a joke

 

[zigbat]

they do brag about the flex.. and flexing changes pitch, rake , or whatever.. something changes.. and that would affect performance..
I'm looking for top speed.. I wanna squeeze every MPH outta the little HP I got cuz its a long trip where I go and I race the darkness to get back to the docks more often than not...

 

[ondarvr]

They aren't high performance, so you arent going to make big gains unless the current prop is way off from what you need.

 

[zigbat]

What is high performance?
Props are so complex with all the characteristics and little things make a big diffrence
but when you are shopping for a prop for a certain reason, in my case top speed in a relatively low cost prop
the only info you are given is Diameter which doesnt really make that much of a difference and is limited to a couple choices
and pitch which is a big factor but all the other things like rake and cupping etc. are never listed
or the type of performance the prop is designed for is not listed that i have found anyway..
Do you know what props are designed with top speed in mind,
It seems like the only way to find out is buy every prop and keep track of what does what and decide from the
data collected from purchasing and tryng out every prop available is the only way to figure it out...
I have read enoigh to know what is desirable in a prop for me, but looking at them Diameter and pitch isnt
enough to make a choice...

Should i take my props i already have to a prop shop to try and have then tuned, if so which one? or both?
or is there a high performance prop i could buy that i could have tuned for better top speed..
Its baffling... Even people who know just about everything about props dont seem to be able to
pick one or two off thier head unless they sell props.. then they recommend what they have for sale...

 

[Sea Rider]

What's the min-max wot rpm factory range stated for that 2.1 Ltr engine ? ideal is to rev as usually loaded from middle to max wot revs and take the most out of that engine. If in pursuit of top speed a fixed prop pitch would be better dialing than a multipurpose variable pitch one.

Happy Boating

 

[82rude]

If it was my boat id go for a hustler 13p or solas amita 13p.Going by your own numbers 13p seems to be in the range you want But I understand wanting every last bit you can get .I dropped off my 15p stainless sst at my buddies prop shop and want it changed to 16p .Never satisfied ,lol.

 

[zigbat]

What's the min-max wot rpm factory range stated for that 2.1 Ltr engine ?

1988 18' Seaswirl Sierra Cuddy OMC Cobra 2.3L I/O 128hp
Recommended WOT range 5200 - 5600

If it was my boat id go for a hustler 13p or solas amita 13p.Going by your own numbers 13p seems to be in the range you want But I understand wanting every last bit you can get

I am pretty happy with the Solas Amita 17p that I have, it is fast but way off WOT rpm..
I was thinking about getting a Solas Amita 15p.. on paper it wouldnt quite hit recommended WOT
4900 rpm on paper if i remember right and the top speed would be nearly identical to the 17p
and it could get a couple hundred more rpm in the water (who knows what its gonna do till it gets wet)

I also noticed that the people at the online store recommended the Piranha 13d x 17p
when i sent then the same numbers I have posted above.. It seems to me that a 1/4" diffrence
in diameter even if the blades are thinner than alum is not gonna give me the 900 rpm
I need to be at the top of my range, so i am thinking that may be a bad recommendation to begin with..

 

[Sea Rider]

Personally would send the Michigan Wheel 3 blade 13 pitch to a prop shop and have it repitched to a 12 pitch. The issue is that will not know how much more rpm the engine will gain as this is not rocket science and the Rule of Thumb that gains + 200 wot revs going one less pitch not always dials that, will depend on HP and load. If already at 5300 wot revs with that prop, a 12 pitch should dial max or near 5600 wot revs. Will have better hole shot as currently loaded.

Happy Boating