Regal 2700 Takes Forever to Plane - New Prop Time?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Basic specs: 2009 Regal 2700ES, close to 7,000 lbs dry weight by the book, 27 ft, Volvo Penta 5.7 GXi 320 HP and DPS-A drive, original Regal stainless props, F4 front and rear which I assume means a 4 pitch. Low hours, excellent condition, well maintained.

So it's a big heavy boat without a lot of motor, but I got a great deal on a super clean boat and need to make the best of it. With a moderate load of 4-5 adults and 4-5 kids the power is more than adequate for tubing and basic watersports, but with 11 adults and 4 kids like I had at Lake of the Ozarks this weekend, I can't get it to plane no matter how many adults I put up front. I really don't care much about top end, I rarely go over 40, but I have to get better performance for at least basic tubing and transit across the lake. It looks like Volvo Type F props go up to a 9 pitch, what would be recommended for a replacement in my situation?

 

[Sea Rider]

You will have a hard time propping the motor right for both diametrically opposite boating situations.

If you prop the motor right to run say middle to max wot rpm range factory stated when lightly loaded, engine will run towards the lugging side of the min wot rpm range when max loaded.

When propping the motor right to run towards middle to max wot rpm range when max loaded, motor will over rev when lightly loaded.

Just for the record would be ideal to know which is the max wot rpm range achieved when lightly and heavily loaded to check the wot rpm difference under both load situations.. Ideal would be to buy a variable pitch prop for both boating situations instead of 2 props, each one for each boating situation.

As you have already experienced yourself, Load is a serial wot rpm killer...

Happy Boating

 

[Sea Rider]

The editing button is not working right....sorry""

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the quick response. I made the mistake of not noting the RPM during my experience at LOZ this weekend, but will note the RPM during our normal loaded conditions during my next trip. I recall it lugging pretty substantially but can't quantify that.

On my first boat (Tahoe Q4) I went from a 3 blade to a more aggressive pitch 4 blade to get better hole shot for tubing and water sports, but sacrificed the top end performance that I didn't really care about. I understand that I can't have it all from a simple prop change, but wouldn't the same trade-off be available here?

 

[QBhoy]

Hi
the 11 adults will have a serious impact on any boat

 

[jimmbo]

The WOT Rpm for that engine is 4600 - 5000, is it not? As mentioned, adding 11 people and 4 kids, so 13 adults @ 165lbs average is well above what can be handled without a Prop Change. Being a Duo-Prop, just makes it much more expensive. What RPMs were you getting when it did plane with 5 or 6 people, and what does it get when just you?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the Volvo series of duo-props are NOT rated in pitch. they are a series that goes from 1 thru 9. the 1 is about a 14p and the 9 is about a 27p

with 11 adults and 4 kids on board, it is going to take forever even if you have more motor. that is literally one and a half tons of people or more. so basically you were hauling a BMW 3 series worth of people

BTW, did you check your capacity tag to see if you had too many on board?

if you regularly have this many people on board, drop down to an F3 set. keep in mind the F series are stainless, so your looking at about $1250 for a set.

 

[Faztbullet]

Put a set of tabs on it !!!!!! Best performance for the money!!

 

[Sea Rider]

If you install a set of Tabs will probably plane the combo bit faster, but will not increase the wot rpm achieved when awfully loaded. Wouldn't want to imagine boating with 11 adults and 4 kids + pulling water toys, will surely pull some rods of crankcase when attempting to plane the combo due to extreme lugging conditions.

Report max wot rpm readings under both boating situations on flat calm water cond...

Happy Boating

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the responses all. To answer a few of the questions:

The boat is yacht rated, sadly it has more seating than ability to carry said passengers.

It does have trim tabs, because of how badly it was already lugging I didn't try to trim down because I was concerned about adding the extra drag. Maybe I should have tried?

With regards to RPM I'll get some numbers the next time I am out. Sadly every lake in our region is flooded, so it may be a few weeks.

 

[jimmbo]

The boat is yacht rated, sadly it has more seating than ability to carry said passengers.

Better than not having enough seating

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Finally have a little data, I’m getting about 52 MPH at about 4900 RPM with two adults, two 15 year old boys (basically adults), and two kids, so a moderate load. Moderately choppy day. Hole shot is still slow, performance on plane is great. So I’m still thinking a more aggressive pitch prop would help. But which one, and is there any benefit going to one of the four blade Duo-Prop options?

 

[jimmbo]

Considering the size and weight of your boat, your engine is doing a magnificent job. Without a major increase in torque, it will never be much quicker to plane. You are already near the top of the RPM range. I guess lower pitch props with more blade area will help the acceleration but there will be a penalty at the top end. Best to consult with the Prop Manufacturers or Volvo to see what is available.

 

[Mischief Managed]

I'm pretty sure that motor should spin to 5200 RPM at WOT. Re-prop with F3s and I bet you'll be right on the money and able to plane faster. Also, use the tabs, despite the drag, they will help it plane more quickly with a heavy load.

I don't think 4 blades would help much, you already have a huge amount of blade area, you just need to let the engine spin more.

 

[porscheguy]

52mph @4900rpm is very impressive on a boat that size, but as you mentioned hole shot isn’t great. That’s no surprise. As others have mentioned, 16 persons on a boat like that will drastically impair performance as it adds 2-3000lbs of weight. Volvo does their own prop sizing, and those with more knowledge can offer specifics. But it’s obvious you need to reduce pitch. If you had a standard prop, I’d guess you’d need to come down 4” in pitch if you go from where you are lightly loaded to unable to plane when heavy especially if water sports are involved.

You could have tried the tabs, but it’s iffy whether it would have made a difference.

It may seem like a lot of money at first, but if the end result is that it performs as needed, then the money is not such an issue.

 

[jimmbo]

I don't know which Duo Prop Drive you have, but there might something relevant to yours in here
http://boatinfo.no/lib/volvo/brochur...rguide.html#/0

 

[QBhoy]

I think basically what is being said here in a polite manner...is that it’s unlikely that boat is doing a genuine 52 mph. If it is....I want your engine...haha.