Re: Solas Amita?
Sorry, I'll try to catch you up on all the details:
Boat - 2004 Lund 17' Angler SS. Single side console.
Motor: 2004 Johnson 115 HP 4 Stroke. Same as DF115
Prop: 5033322 - 13 1/2" x 15" Perfect shape, no scrapes.
The Antiventilation plate is just about dead even with the bottom of the boat. Maybe down below just a hair (1/4"?).
Application: It's used strictly for fishing and typically in pretty rough water. Likely similar to what you experience chasing those same walleye on large windblown reservoirs in KS. Typically carry 1 - 3 people fishing.
I bought the boat from the original owner who only put 30 hours on it before upgrading to a larger boat. He used it mostly up at 11 Mile Res, which is at about 9700'. But I use it typically in the 3500' to 4500' elevation (97%) and lower in MN (the other 3%).
The problems are:
When I try to take off from a stop or very near stop, my prop ventilates pretty bad. I have to drop out of throttle to get it to hook up and rethrottle at a slow rate to keep it hooked up.
Same ventilation problems (blow out?) for pretty sharp turns.
And same ventilation if I just hammer the throttle while cruising. Basically, it acts like too much torque and horsepower for this weight boat because the prop just isn't big enough to grab enough water (just my impression).
It will not hook up on it's own. I have to drop out of the throttle. When it ventilates, the boat slows down and seems to make the ventilation worse. When I throttle gently, I can tell this sucker has some serious push, but I have to keep it from breaking loose!
Also the engine hits its rev limiter far too easy. I realize it's subjective but I'm quite a ways from full physical throttle position forward and hitting the rev limiter of the motor (~6300 rpms). Maybe 80% of full throttle physical range and it will hit the rev limiter while cruising. At max recommended of 6000 rpms, the cruising speed is 30.4 mph (speedo measure matches the gps measure).
From reading until I'm blue in the face, I believe I understand the general rule of 1* pitch might increase/drop rpms about 200, but I'm so far over max rpms hitting the rev limiter that I can't get an idea on what size and pitch to consider.
I get the impression (from reading) that a 4-blade might be what I'm looking for due to the better handling preferred for those of us that frequent rough water. But all water I fish is nothing but rock (like Glendo Res) thus the alum search.
Part of the problem also is getting returnable props should one not work out (even if kept in perfect shape). I'd be a lot more comfortable if I knew my prop purchase was close to where I want to be dia/pitch wise because it would then be a calculated risk versus the wild guess that it is right now.
In all my searching I see a lot of minor adjustments needed for most people but my situation appears to be a bit unique because I'm not even "on paper" yet.
Hope I didn't leave any detail not covered and greatly appreciate any assistance/advice/suggestions you might have.
Thanks greatly!
Andy
