Ports Working

[Texasmark]

Was out a couple of days ago and running my usual 3000-3500 sweet spot at 20-25 MPH, nice comfortable cruise, no problem maintaining trim/boat attitude, soft ride. Decided to punch on out and get some WOT data also. Running the Mercury Laser II original square ported prop.

Slip at the cruising speed was 28% and at WOT 8. No wonder that sucker will pop your neck on the hole shot.......buttttt that's the reason for having them. Wink!

 

[QBhoy]

Great stuff.

I just don’t like these new pvs props being out or even punched a little. Horrible slipping feeling and last time I tried on the fast boat it was still venting at 20ish mph on plane.
years ago had the old laser 2 with square vents and never had an issue with them the same way.
not a fan of the new round ones at all.

 

[Faztbullet]

A lil secret on the round PVS plugs....buy the solid and drill em out a lil at a time..and not all have to be the same size..

 

[QBhoy]

A lil secret on the round PVS plugs....buy the solid and drill em out a lil at a time..and not all have to be the same size..

I’ve only ever tried the smallest porting on them. You know how you can have a couple of sizes.
never tried just a tiny hole with a drill though.

 

[Texasmark]

I added 5/16 ports to my 24P Ballistic on my shop drill press. Amazing how hard SS is just using regular non professional shop equipment. That got me the hole shot rpms I wanted and I didn't go larger.

 

[QBhoy]

Sounds good Texas...I suppose I’ve never really had the use for ports. If I’m towing a skier or wakeboarding, I’d change the prop before the day comes for a lower pitch.

just on a side note. How did you get on with the ballistic ? I was given one by the U.K. Michigan marine and in return they used my boat as an advert for their ballistic. The footage and pics are well known over here and featured often.

I found the ballistic very fast when everything aligned. It was certainly right up there with the quickest that particular boat has ever been...but not always consistent with performance. It was either literally ballistic or it was just acceptable. But never quick to plane. Used much more fuel than the same pitch laser 2 cruising or going slow. The enertia 19” and 21” were more regular performers with the 19” always doing well all round but easily hitting the limiter. At early to mid 60’s at best. The 21” the same pitch as ballistic always did well late 60’s almost to the limiter when things were right. I’ve a tempest off the every day boat to try out on the fast boat now. Hoping to get that in the water before end of season to see how it goes.
mean time the everyday fletcher is the boat of choice with a 20” enertia on her merc 115 CT 2.1l. Goes so well for such ordinary power. Very fast capable hulls on these fletchers. I’m amazed more of them didn’t make it across the Atlantic.

 

[Texasmark]

"just on a side note. How did you get on with the ballistic ? I was given one by the U.K. Michigan marine and in return they used my boat as an advert for their ballistic. The footage and pics are well known over here and featured often."

I was introduced to them with the purchase of the used 2002 boat in my avatar as one was on the engine. I bought a second one later on of a much higher pitch since I boated alone and RPMs were out of sight and I didn't want to introduce unexpected change by changing mfgrs or types. My current 2002 boat (not particular about that year, things just happen) came with one and it would still be on there but the PO liked to make long high speed runs to his playground and I like to cruise around. Additionally I like to run the top end or so of the recommended range and that prop had too much pitch to suit me.

They have worked well for me.

 

[dingbat]

I added 5/16 ports to my 24P Ballistic on my shop drill press. Amazing how hard SS is just using regular non professional shop equipment.

Stainless (nickel) is actually pretty soft.

The issue people have drilling stainless is that it work hardens on you. Running a drill to fast (friction) with not enough pressure (more friction) will get you every time.

With the proper speed and pressure, you should have no problem drill stainless with any variable speed drill.

 

[Texasmark]

Stainless (nickel) is actually pretty soft.

The issue people have drilling stainless is that it work hardens on you. Running a drill to fast (friction) with not enough pressure (more friction) will get you every time.

With the proper speed and pressure, you should have no problem drill stainless with any variable speed drill.

I think I recall you saying that you run 2.5 hours each way to your fishing grounds and you did some calculations on best this and that to achieve your best MPH. I'm surprised you didn't ding me when I mentioned I like to cruise with 28% slip.

So I'll comment: Yeah it's lossy, but my trips these days amount to roughly 3 hours and 1 or so of those is running the engine and most of that is cruising in Texas lakes of 40k acres give or take. I average about 5 gal. of gas per outing so it's no big deal for me.

 

[dingbat]

I think I recall you saying that you run 2.5 hours each way to your fishing grounds and you did some calculations on best this and that to achieve your best MPH. I'm surprised you didn't ding me when I mentioned I like to cruise with 28% slip.

So I'll comment: Yeah it's lossy, but my trips these days amount to roughly 3 hours and 1 or so of those is running the engine and most of that is cruising in Texas lakes of 40k acres give or take. I average about 5 gal. of gas per outing so it's no big deal for me.

I unknowingly fell into the "port" game back in the 90’s when I bought a Stiletto to replace an aluminum prop on a previous boat. Found ports to be an interesting way to tweak out another 1" of pitch (100 rpm) on the bottom end, but not very useful for the overall picture.

Given my fuel consumption, 25 to 130 gallons per day, I'm far more interested in limiting my carbon foot print which the Enertia provided.

The Enertia ECO is supposedly better yet... https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/propellers/comp-series/enertia-eco/