Sterndrive/prop questions

[Jerrod]

Hello everyone,
I have a 1986 Four Winns Liberator with a 5.7L 350. I have a couple of questions regarding the sterndrive. First, does anyone know what type/model sterndrive comes stock on this boat, or where I can locate that information? Second, does anyone know what the WOT RPM for this engine is off hand? The reason I ask is because I would like to change from the 3 blade prop I have now to a 4 blade. Thanks for the replies in advance.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

No disrespect here, but until you determine what the "recommended" wide open throttle RPM is (probably 4400 - 4600) and what the RPM "actually" is you shouldn't be thinking about a prop change because you may already have the optimum setup. Which brings us to ask why you want a four-blade? Because they are cool is not a good answer. People run aluminum, stainless, three blade, four blade and even five blade for specific performance reasons. You've not indicated what you use your boat for most of the time (skiing, cruising, wake boarding, towing water toys, etc) whether you normally have a heavy, medium or light load and what you hope to gain or what performance issue you hope to cure (better hole shot, higher top speed, rpm too low, etc). Since you have not given us any wide open throttle and top speed numbers, nobody can give you a precise recommendation unless they just happen to have the same exact boat with the same exact setup and operate it exactly as you do. Make some test runs with normal load and note WOT and max speed and the issue you are trying to solve. Then maybe we can help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

First, does anyone know what type/model sterndrive comes stock on this boat, or where I can locate that information? Second, does anyone know what the WOT RPM for this engine is off hand?

Alpha 1, gen.I............4400/4800rpms.....

 

[Jerrod]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Thanks for the reply Bond-O. I have run the rig WOT, and it fell into the range Bond-O suggested, about 4500 RPM at about 55mph. The boat is stern-heavy which equates to high bow rise when planing, so I wanted to compensate for this with a shorter plane time by switching to a four blade propeller. Yes, I would like to tow tubers and skiers around, and doing 55 on the lake is nice, but not a necessity. Again, thanks Bond-O for the help.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

That boat has Stiletto Bay Pro written all over it.....likely 1" less pitch than what you have now.

 

[Jerrod]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Thanks again for the help guys. After some research, and calling a few local prop shops, I determined that what I am looking for is a 15x16 4 blade. Those Stiletto Bay Pro props look really nice.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

May i ask the current size of prop you have now? The Bay Pro line's do differ, the 11 series is different than the 111, and the 11 series end @ 18p

 

[Jerrod]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Tail Gunner:
I'm not sure what the size of the prop is now, but I know that it's a 3 blade, and the guy I bought it from took off his SS 4 blade, and put the one I have on it now back on, so something comparable to stock maybe?

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Jerrod go to the Four Winns web site.

http://www.fourwinns.com/

In the bottom right corner is the link your looking for. I too have a 1986 Four Winns Horizon 190. Mine is a Mercruiser 4.3 185 HP Alpha 1. You can or could last year download all the Specs and manuals for your boat and Engine. Even print them off.

Chuck

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Tail Gunner:
I'm not sure what the size of the prop is now, but I know that it's a 3 blade, and the guy I bought it from took off his SS 4 blade, and put the one I have on it now back on, so something comparable to stock maybe?

It is very important to know what type of prop and the size of the one you are currently using, You will get far better help in here than a marina 9 x out of 10, the size is on the back of the prop, that is where the nut hold's the prop on the the lower unit, take it off it's worth your time.

 

[Jerrod]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Will do thanks.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

OOPS I just checked out the link above for your information. Seems Four Winns cut their Information off at 1988. That's really too bad. Last year my 86 was the last year shown. Maybe they move them up one year every year and I caught it before they changed to 1987?

I do have all the books and manuals. They came with my boat but I was looking for something else. Sorry it won't work for you. The manuals are not very detailed anyway. Nice to have but not a lot of help.you would think they would put more details into the owners manual.

I guess they don't want the owner to do to much work to it, but take it to a marina or mechanic.

You might try looking on EBAY but I've not seen too much on Boats that are as old as ours.

Since you have a 5.7 and I have a 4.3 I can't help you with Prop selection either but Michigan Prop seems to know which ones will work. Personally I would not have a Stainless Steel. I've read too many negatives about Stainless Steel Props shattering or tearing up lower units after striking objects. I'll stick with the Aluminum which can be repaired if I strike something. They're just softer with more give.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

JERROD,
BINGO!

I think I found the link to what you are looking for. Bookmark this address for future references.You may even want to print off some of the information.

http://www.iboats.com/Four_Winns_Boats/bp/20br1188

It seems to have everything! Good luck finding what your looking for.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Jerrod

Here's another link that might help you. Isn't the Internet Great! Your outdrive should have a plate on it telling you manuafacture and model # Then just go here to this site and type your information in. It also often helps when looking for information to have your HIN # handy. I kept mine by the computer for a long, long time.


http://www.iboats.com/mall/propfinder/

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Hummmmmm....iboats has a prop-finder? Do they give specs as to which props work best on sterdrives, or if they're bow/stern-lifters?
Guess I missed that part. I better start paying more attention to details.

Edit: cbavier, who got you to believe SS is that bad?

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Yes you may have to look. Type in your Hin # and you will see the options.
I don't think they will choose for you just show you the different options. You just have to look. Mine are 14 1/2 x 19 -21. I like the 21 but I took it in for repair and they sent a 19 back in it's place. I don't know why? But I got a Brand new prop out of it for $78 not a rebuilt so I couldn't question them. Would I?

I ran aground in a big rock bed and destroyed the other prop shooting the bull with a boat load of friends. My fault for not paying attention. You just have to dig and dig and look. Just type Boat Propellers into Google. There are 1,220,000 options.


http://www.iboats.com/mall/propfinder/


or http://www.propellersonline.com/AlumVorMerc3bl.php


or www.outdoorsuperstore.com - This one eis Michigaan Wheel

 

[Jerrod]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Wow Chuck, your information has been extremely helpful! Thanks for taking the time and making the effort. On a side note: Does your engine act funny when you are around 1/8 of a tank full, ie begins to sputter when you open it up, but runs fine around 3000 rpm? This happened to me the other day, and I was just wondering if it was common.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Wow Chuck, your information has been extremely helpful! Thanks for taking the time and making the effort. On a side note: Does your engine act funny when you are around 1/8 of a tank full, ie begins to sputter when you open it up, but runs fine around 3000 rpm? This happened to me the other day, and I was just wondering if it was common.

Jerod what is more important for now is your current prop size and the performance that you are getting from that particular prop, once that has been determind, it is the basis for making a informed decision on any prop your heart desire's.........

 

[cbavier]

Re: Sterndrive/prop questions

Jarrod You ask if mine sputters?
No mine doesn't sputter at any speed it runs smooth as a baby's but.
I have 544 hours on mine.

Mine has always been professionally mechanically maintained by the marina where it was originally bought. They don't bleed their customers like most do.
i'm the second owner of this boat.
They take care of their customers and the customers keep going back.

Old Point Comfort Marine at Higgnis Lake, MI. It's the fifth largest lake in Mich almost 5,100 acres. We live just five miles from it. The boat launch is at one of the two state parks on that lake.
We also live about 12 miles from the largest inland lake in MI it's almost 21,000 acres and we are about 12 miles from another lake of 2100 some acres. There are also many small 100-200 acre lakes close by so the oportunity to boat here abounds.

Pictures are posted for public viewing at Flicker.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24589494@N00/