Prop curious

[Bruce Alan]

Just wondering....I'm running a Raker 14.5 X 22 on a 1995 evinrude Ocean Pro 200. Hole shot is descent, top end RPMs are 5600, speed is 50MPH. Set up seems right to me but, could it be better? What I mean is there are a lot of prop manufactureres out there claiming higher speeds and better hole shot, is there a better prop than what I am running? what kind of difference can I expect for 5 or 600 bucks?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

For 600 bucks you better be getting a custom Mazco hi-performance prop!<br /><br />OK, with those numbers youre at just a tad over 20% slip. Not too good! I'm sure we can do better with what you have. Rakers are real decent props.<br /><br />Lets dive into this a bit. What boat do you have? Is the motor mounted all the way down or up a hole? Or two? Wheres the AV plate in relation to the keel when its parallel? Can you use 100% of the trim range?<br /><br />Most important -- what condition is the prop in? Has it ever been reworked?

 

[Bruce Alan]

Re: Prop curious

Dhadley, man the weather ain't lookin' to good is it?<br /><br />Anyhoo, the boat is a '96 Spectre 22', weighs about 1600. The AV plate is probably 1 1/2" to 2" above the keel. I don't know what hole it's mounted in and can't get to the marina to check until next week. I'm guessing I can use about 60 to 70% of the trim range and it ventilates in turns so I have trim down when turning. <br /><br />I've only had the boat for 5 months or so and don't know the history of the prop. I can tell you it's in pretty descent shape visually with a few small nicks here and there.<br /><br />I got the speed from a GPS. The mechanical spedometer reads about 60+ and I know not to trust it.<br /><br />I'm in the middle of a water pump job and plan to change plugs (QL78YC champs), thermostats and do decarb, checking compression before and after. I should have all this completed by the end of next week. Would've been this weekend but work says I gotta be there for the storm.<br /><br />I'll post all results once I'm done. Anything else I should look at?<br /><br />BTW good luck this weekend!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

Neat boat. I'd almost bet that prop has been reworked. Maybe someone was trying to get more rpm, maybe it was just worn but it doesnt seem like it acts like a true Raker. I'd be tempted to try and locate something like a (new) Turbo or even a Stiletto and try it just for comparison. Or even a known good Raker. <br /><br />Its not going to help much if we try to raise the motor if you can only use 50-60% of the trim now. We could go thru a long rather expensive process to add bite (to gain trim range) but that would drop the rpm. We need more not less. So then we'd raise the motor. I think we're better off to find a known good prop and test that. Maybe that Raker is OK. It just seems like it should act better.<br /><br />The ol storm took a left turn last night. It looked to me like it was doing that yesterday when they said it was still going West. Oh well, what do I know about wind? Actually I wish it would have stayed over land and broke up. Now its in the warm Gulf and once it hits that 90 degree water no telling what will happen. Looks like it might go up the coast right offshore. Thats not good for either of us.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Bruce Alan]

Re: Prop curious

Thanks! I'm real happy with the boat so far. I did a quick search on the Stiletto, Turbo and Raker. The stiletto seemed to be the more reasonable priced of the 3 at around $250. The raker was the most expensive. I don't have a spare prop as it is so am considering purchasing one anyway. Do you think it's reasonable to assume I'd stick with the 14.5 x 22? I don't have access to a loaner for testing purposes.<br /><br />Looks like the storm will miss me! WHEW! You out of the woods yet?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

Yep, we're cool. Unless she sits out there and decides to come back. She's done some wierd stuff already.<br /><br />Anyway, with Stiletto and Turbo you get what you pay for. The Stiletto is more of a replacement prop for something like a Viper. The Turbo is more in the lines of a Raker. A bit more technology. Both are excellent props.<br /><br />I just looked -- I've got a new 21 Stiletto. Lets talk offline and set up a test. Shoot me an e-mail at dhadley50@aol.com and use Stiletto as the subject.

 

[Bruce Alan]

Re: Prop curious

Thanks dhadley! Sent you an e-mail. Did you get it?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

Yep, did you get the response? (Obviously not -- duh!!) I'll go look and send her again.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

OK, sent it again to zemcha1@tampabay.rr.com -- is that the right addy?

 

[Bruce Alan]

Re: Prop curious

Close! szemcha1@tampabay.rr.com

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Prop curious

Ah, the "s" was missing on my incoming mail. I added it and sent it off. Let me know if you dont get it in a few minutes.