Stainless prop on a pontoon

[WaterDR]

I have decided to try a stainless prop and recently boughtone at the boatshow. I currently have a 15 pitch alum and was told to goto a 13 pitch for stainless. I have a F115 on a 24 footer. We only boat on a river and the bottom is sand and could run into the ocassional log. Virtually no rocks.

Do you think the perf benefit for stainless is worth the little bit of risk I might have from motor damage from hitting something?

Does dropping a pitch seem to make sense? I am actually expecting to pick up about 3 mph....I know that sounds like a lot, but I can only get 27/28 mph and have seen tests with the prop I selected getting 31/32 on nearly the same boat. My rpms are currently pegged at 6100 and I think I have a far amount of slip.

Would like a little more on the top end if I could, and definately want a better hole shot....hoping the stainless will adress that too.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Stainless prop on a pontoon

What kind of SS prop did you buy?

Generally speaking if you could afford to lose 100-200 rpm, you should stay with the same pitch in SS. Since you were getting 6100, I would have recommended staying with the same pitch for the increase in top speed you seem to be looking for.

How much will be gained is the big question.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Stainless prop on a pontoon

I agree about the stainless and what was said above. Many boats like you have are pushing about 25 mph GPS. You seem to be already getting a little more speed than most. Getting much more speed would require lifting strakes to get the nosecone out of the water.

I used to run aluminum props on my inboard outboard boat, but would invariably go through a prop a year. Luckily a cousin has a prop shop. When I switched over to a stainless steel prop, I got 12 years without a scratch (when the engine failed.) A stainless prop can be a long term value. Fuel mileage is supposedly better, too.

FYI: My new Bennington 24' tritoon with a Yamaha F150 and a 15 pitch Yammie Reliance prop is running 40 mph @ 6000 rpm's max. That's with a 6% prop slippage, which is very good.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Stainless prop on a pontoon

Most props have a hub that is supposed to slip on contact with an object.
You'll find that the ss will hold up better in soft contacts like sand.I can't speak for stumps.
I'm afraid that a 13" is going to produce too much rpm.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Stainless prop on a pontoon

So here is the deal...The advice came directly from a Yamaha rep to goto the 13" as well as the prop representative. I realize this is a bit of an experiement and ultimately, I will just need to get the thing installed.

Their thought is that I am getting a lot of flex with my current prop so at load, it is acting more like a 13p than a 15p due to the amount of flex. Also, with their actual performance data base, similar model but two feet shorter got 32 mph with same prop and I am seeing 28 mph. I don't expect 32, but think I should be able to get 30 mph. I think I am leaving a little on the table as it.

I have performance pontoons, so they ride up on the surface a bit more than standard logs.

I am not convinced the 13P is the the correct one either and I am not holdng my breath.

If it is not correct, I am just swap it.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Stainless prop on a pontoon

I agree about the stainless and what was said above. Many boats like you have are pushing about 25 mph GPS. You seem to be already getting a little more speed than most. Getting much more speed would require lifting strakes to get the nosecone out of the water.

I used to run aluminum props on my inboard outboard boat, but would invariably go through a prop a year. Luckily a cousin has a prop shop. When I switched over to a stainless steel prop, I got 12 years without a scratch (when the engine failed.) A stainless prop can be a long term value. Fuel mileage is supposedly better, too.

FYI: My new Bennington 24' tritoon with a Yamaha F150 and a 15 pitch Yammie Reliance prop is running 40 mph @ 6000 rpm's max. That's with a 6% prop slippage, which is very good.

Interestng to see that you 150 is running a 15p.