Prop Blueprinters

TOM MELTON

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 8, 2008
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32
Re: Prop Blueprinters

The boat is a 94' Hydra Sport 185LS tournament bass boat with a 150 Faststrike no jackplate but looking for a good qaulity plate (suggestions welcome) 24pitch Raker . The boat just never has been right even when I had my jackplate on. I guess we just didn't have it set up right or maybe the prop was just way off from the get go. I just want the boat to be the best it can and ride and handle good and perform the way it should. Thanks
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Prop Blueprinters

In my opinion if you were going to spend money for a custom made prop you'd want to blueprint the hull first. That's a nice boat and if it were me I'd just be looking at a performance prop line, like Turbo, and leave the hull alone.

I guess the first question is, why did you take the jackplate off?

Then - which 24 Raker do you have? Generation 1 with the small vent holes, gen 2 with the larger vent holes or gen 3, a Raker II? Has it ever been worked on? What shape is it in now?
 

TOM MELTON

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 8, 2008
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32
Re: Prop Blueprinters

The boat was originally my dads and he couldn't steer it because the set back of the plate kind of bound the cables, I didn't have that much trouble. The original prop only had 1 vent hole in it my dad damaged the prop and I had it repaired and had 2 more holes put in it to match I am guessing they are about 7/16" in diameter. It was still bad so I tapped the holes out to accept some set screws that were cut the thickness of the prop which left the holes about 3/16"-1/4" and could still be removed if it didn't help but it did help so I left them in place and have been using them ever since.
 

Dhadley

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Re: Prop Blueprinters

If I were starting on this as a new project (basically it is since we don't know what the prop is now) I'd start with a jackplate. Most likely the boat can use some help lifting the bow, especially if it has a trolling motor or any additional weight forward.

Once the jackplate is on I'd test with some Turbo Lightnings. I'd guess that something in the 23 -24 range will be close.
 

TOM MELTON

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Sep 8, 2008
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Re: Prop Blueprinters

Hey Dehadley, the boat will run out about 64.5 mph (gps) @ 54-5500 rpm my self & 1 other person & a light load. Do you think this boat is capable of 70 mph (gps) or a little more?
Thanks!
 

Dhadley

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Re: Prop Blueprinters

That's pretty darn good now. You're at around 5% slip. That'll be hard to beat. If you get the rpm up some you may be able to go with a slightly taller pitch.
 

TOM MELTON

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 8, 2008
Messages
32
Re: Prop Blueprinters

That's pretty darn good now. You're at around 5% slip. That'll be hard to beat. If you get the rpm up some you may be able to go with a slightly taller pitch.[/QUOT

What can I do to get the r's up some and how much can I go ?
 

Turbo1

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Feb 29, 2008
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30
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Do you still have the plate?
If not, a short Bob's Machine hydro or manual would be my choice, and I think Dhadley would back me if I said I think that engine/prop/boat combo will handle more height, engine-wise. If we can get a bit more gearcase out of the water, lose a bit of drag and you can see where I'm going with this...
Being "on" the transom now, I'd think we could rearrange the set-up to get that 70 mark.
If we can get up near 6000, and a possible prop change to something like the Lightning, as Dhadley said, I'd say 70 is quite possible.
 

TOM MELTON

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Sep 8, 2008
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Re: Prop Blueprinters

Thanks Turbo,
I'm looking for a new plate cause we sold the other one to a friend of the family. Are the Bobs Machine Shop Plates reliable and user friendly?
 

walleyehed

Admiral
Joined
Jun 29, 2003
Messages
6,767
Re: Prop Blueprinters

I see T1 is logged off so I'll give my 2 cents...I would say Dhadley, myself and T1 would all give high recommendations for the Bob's plates.
Many designs to choose from. I use the 4-n-1 on my Deep-V...abit different app and I would see what Dhadley and T1 would suggest for the amount of set-back and type...it may require a tad more set-back than what I'm using.
Those guys are sharp...listen to them!
I don't know it as fact, but I've heard they have worked together on some "really" tuff set-ups and made'em smokin' units.
 

TOM MELTON

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 8, 2008
Messages
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Re: Prop Blueprinters

Man Walleyehed you guys are great, I appretiate being able to talk with someone whenever I get a chance to about all these issues.
Thanks Tom
 

walleyehed

Admiral
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Jun 29, 2003
Messages
6,767
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Anytime Tom!
Keep your eye on Dhadley...he's still playing with some racing rigs and he flat knows whats going on. Turbo1 Has a good knowledge of many props and I know the guy, have for about 10yrs I guess...finally got him on to iboats awhile back so we should have some of the best prop techs and consultants on the net, right here on iboats...great crew!
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Just throw my .02 worth in here as I am no prop expert.
But I do use a Bob's plate, a manual one.
I did have a Dewilter(sp) hydraulic and it kept blowing the seals out at the top so I went with the Bob's.
Tinkered with it and I have now got it set to the best sweet spot for me.
Last time out, clean glass water, me and tackle and 45 gallons of fuel, 80.8 MPH, GPS.
I will leave it alone.
 

TOM MELTON

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 8, 2008
Messages
32
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Just curious ,does the manual plate from Bob's operate smooth and easy and not move when locked down? By the way, Thanks for the input !
Tom
 

Dhadley

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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Yes, the Bob's operate fine. We've had them on triple V8s with no problems. Very easy to adjust.

As for the set back, it really depends on how much bow lift you need. On most 18-19' boats 6" is a good place to start. You can always add 2" spacers. Personally I'm addicted to hydraulic but we run the flats boat in a lot of shallow water. There's nothing wrong with a manual plate, I've owned and used more than my share.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
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Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Prop Blueprinters

Man, I wish I did! I'm sure that you can get a new one here at Iboats. There are probably some used ones around on the net but I haven't looked lately.
 
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