The right Prop??

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SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Hello all, First post on your site, brand new member, not new to boating. I am hoping that someone can help me choose the right prop for our boat........Alas, history, we have n 83' Bayliner 2850 Contessa CB, chev 5.7, volvo 280 drive. We have been fighting all last season (first with this boat) trying to size and pitch. Before this years launch (April 29) we had mechanic replace with 'so called' factory recommended 15x7........:( Its worse now than the elephant ears, 25-2700rpm. Can anyone help or comment on this??

Sig
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: The right Prop??

Jojo, welcome to Iboats prop forum and I will try to help you as much as I can but without more information no one can help you, and I will tell you I need more information than anyone else. But if you would like my help fill this form out and I will help you as much as I can.

, You might try reading this for a better understanding of motor height, changing props for better performance, and for the major differences between aluminum props and stainless steel.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369057


If you would prefer to not go to this much trouble there are many other people who will come along and gladly help you.

1. Year, make and model of boat
2. Length, width and base weight of boat, look for boat decal on back of boat
2a.What is the maximum recommended HP for your boat
3. Number of people and gallons of gas normally on boat and what do you use the boat for
4. Year, make. manufacturer and model of motor and recommended Wide Open Throttle (WOT) range
5. HP and gear ratio of motor IMPORTANT
If you don?t know the ratio, you need to pull the plugs out and put a piece of tape across the prop and the lower unit and then cut it between the prop and the housing then do the same thing on the flywheel and turn the motor until the tape lines up with each other on the prop, it is easier if two people do this, so one can watch the prop while the other counts the revolutions of the motor
6. Anti-ventilation Plate height above keel of boat if it is an outboard in inches, use a straight edge under the keel and sticking out to the anti ventilation plate for a reference
Motor Transom Height
AntiventilationPlateStraightEdge-2.jpg


When the boat is running in the top 20% of your speed you should be able to see the anti ventilation plate very clearly at the top of the water and have water just splashing over the top of it.

Correct Anti Ventilation Height

correctheight.jpg

7. WOT RPM and speed from your current prop and how much gas and how many people were in the boat for the test data and is the speed by GPS. Make sure you trim the prop up until it starts ventilating and then just trim in until it quits ventilating.
RPM _________ Speed ______ GPS ______ No. of people ______ Gal. Gas ________
8. Make, model, diameter, pitch, number of blades and whether SS or aluminum prop and does it have a hydrafoil, dolefin or trim tabs
9. Has your motor been tuned up lately and have you checked that the carburetor butterfly is opening all the way by just pushing the throttle at the helm and not at the carburetor, checked compression, and looked at the plugs and checked spark as well as timing and advance, all of the foregoing could be the reason your prop is not attaining full RPM
10. What problems are you trying to cure or what are you looking for the boat to do that it is not doing the way you think it should or to your expectations and does the prop show any damage that you can see

REMEMBER, The numbers I give you will be NO better than the information you give me. I use a computer program I designed to find the correct pitch and then knowledge to pick a Better prop design for your boat.

The only thing I ask of you is to come back and give me a report of WOT RPM and speed for my database.



H
 

SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Re: The right Prop??

Jojo, welcome to Iboats prop forum and I will try to help you as much as I can but without more information no one can help you, and I will tell you I need more information than anyone else. But if you would like my help fill this form out and I will help you as much as I can.

, You might try reading this for a better understanding of motor height, changing props for better performance, and for the major differences between aluminum props and stainless steel.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369057


If you would prefer to not go to this much trouble there are many other people who will come along and gladly help you.

1. Year, make and model of boat
2. Length, width and base weight of boat, look for boat decal on back of boat
2a.What is the maximum recommended HP for your boat
3. Number of people and gallons of gas normally on boat and what do you use the boat for
4. Year, make. manufacturer and model of motor and recommended Wide Open Throttle (WOT) range
5. HP and gear ratio of motor IMPORTANT
If you don?t know the ratio, you need to pull the plugs out and put a piece of tape across the prop and the lower unit and then cut it between the prop and the housing then do the same thing on the flywheel and turn the motor until the tape lines up with each other on the prop, it is easier if two people do this, so one can watch the prop while the other counts the revolutions of the motor
6. Anti-ventilation Plate height above keel of boat if it is an outboard in inches, use a straight edge under the keel and sticking out to the anti ventilation plate for a reference
Motor Transom Height
AntiventilationPlateStraightEdge-2.jpg


When the boat is running in the top 20% of your speed you should be able to see the anti ventilation plate very clearly at the top of the water and have water just splashing over the top of it.

Correct Anti Ventilation Height

correctheight.jpg

7. WOT RPM and speed from your current prop and how much gas and how many people were in the boat for the test data and is the speed by GPS. Make sure you trim the prop up until it starts ventilating and then just trim in until it quits ventilating.
RPM _________ Speed ______ GPS ______ No. of people ______ Gal. Gas ________
8. Make, model, diameter, pitch, number of blades and whether SS or aluminum prop and does it have a hydrafoil, dolefin or trim tabs
9. Has your motor been tuned up lately and have you checked that the carburetor butterfly is opening all the way by just pushing the throttle at the helm and not at the carburetor, checked compression, and looked at the plugs and checked spark as well as timing and advance, all of the foregoing could be the reason your prop is not attaining full RPM
10. What problems are you trying to cure or what are you looking for the boat to do that it is not doing the way you think it should or to your expectations and does the prop show any damage that you can see

REMEMBER, The numbers I give you will be NO better than the information you give me. I use a computer program I designed to find the correct pitch and then knowledge to pick a Better prop design for your boat.

The only thing I ask of you is to come back and give me a report of WOT RPM and speed for my database.



H

LMAO, OK, ty for your response, here goes

1, 1983 bayliner 2850 CB
2, 28' 10' beam @ 7500lbs
2a, rated at 280hp
3, Normally 2 people, @ 80 gallons and its a big boat, we like to putter :)
4, 1983 Chev 5.7 l model 280, WOT, 4-4500
5, ratio is 1.61:1
6, Vent height is @ 20" below water line (I/O)
7, This is in-aqurate, 3 people, @2700 rpm, @ 8kts, fuel usage????
8, 3 blade, 15x17 used and boat has trim tabs
9, 148 to 160lbs in 8 sleeves, allnew plugs, new carb rebuild, timing, advance, wires, coil, cap, rotor, points, condenser all new and to spec
10, The prop,.....#4 is new used, my max rpm is @2800, full trim the boat will not plane, we dont need a race boat and rarely exceed 10kts but there is something wrong. This is a new boat to us and from a mechanical standpoint the engine(1100hrs) is strong but the prop is wrong and I have found no one that can help us.

Sig
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: The right Prop??

Sig,
7, This is in-aqurate, 3 people, @2700 rpm, @ 8kts, fuel usage????
8, 3 blade, 15x17 used and boat has trim tabs
9, 148 to 160lbs in 8 sleeves, allnew plugs, new carb rebuild, timing, advance, wires, coil, cap, rotor, points, condenser all new and to spec
10, The prop,.....#4 is new used, my max rpm is @2800, full trim the boat will not plane, we dont need a race boat and rarely exceed 10kts but there is something wrong. This is a new boat to us and from a mechanical standpoint the engine(1100hrs) is strong but the prop is wrong and I have found no one that can help us.

7, You say this is inaccurate, then I need some accurate numbers in order to tell you which prop you need

10, What manufacturer, model, Diameter and pitch of props do you have right now, please list all of them

Exactly which out drive and prop is needed for your boat, is it the long hub prop



H
 

SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Re: The right Prop??

Sig,

7, You say this is inaccurate, then I need some accurate numbers in order to tell you which prop you need

10, What manufacturer, model, Diameter and pitch of props do you have right now, please list all of them

Exactly which out drive and prop is needed for your boat, is it the long hub prop



H

Refering to # 7, other than fuel consumption, it is fairly acurate, if you refer to my previous post you will see I have a Volvo 260 OD with a 15x17 prop!
Regards

Sig
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: The right Prop??

Sig, does it have the 302 block in the boat or the 350 block, because something is not adding up here.

And I will need about 4 pictures from different angles of the prop if you do not know exactly which make and model of prop you have.



H
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: The right Prop??

I think we may be missing something obvious here.Has this ever performed right?
Did someone mess with the gear ratio?pull the plugs and rotate the motor manually and compare prop revolutions to motor.
A 5.7 even on a 28 ft should plane easily and a 17" prop isn't extreme. something is up with the motor. could be as simple as a plug wire off or 2 transposed plug wires.Many years ago I had a motor wouldn't run right.The firing order was wrong in the book.Don't assume anything just because everything is fresh. insufficient fuel supply?Throttle not opening all the way.Prop not really a 17?Timing not reaching full advance?
 

SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Re: The right Prop??

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/030.jpg
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/029.jpg
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/027.jpg
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/028.jpg
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/019.jpg
http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu18/curtdad/018.jpg

OK, guys, this is what I have, The prop shown was the one I just replaced, it is 17" in dia. the only # on it 3904. The prop just installed is clearly marked 15x17. The engines are definately 5.7s and they are timed correct. The entire ignition system has been replaced shy of dist. shaftwires are all correct and she runs like a top. This is our second season with this boat and when we got her we knew the prop was way to big but there where 2 others with her and I tried them both. Keep in mind unlike newer props that are marked in the cone, these where not. Pitch I cant do, dia. I can. The carb was leaking in the primaries and after runs would constantly flood out so I knew this was an issue. Rebuild was somewhat succesful but mechanic says upper plate is badly worn, this is a non issue as I have ordered a new carb. We took her home today, 60 minutes at 8kts. (GPS) @1800rpm. I forced @2700rpm but she was working hard, we where in no hurry so we backed off to 1800. fuel gauge never moved and after high winds and 2' swells, we bobbed into our slip. Hope this helps

Sig
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: The right Prop??

Sig, my opinion is you have a major problem that has not been identified yet, I do see a lot of water in the stern of the boat by the engine that needs to be pumped out. If you cannot find the problem then the following is my suggestion.

BUT after saying that, given the conditions we have at this time, if you will buy a 16" x 13" pitch Solas 3 blade prop you should be able to do about 23 MPH, hopefully. You would do much better with a 4 blade prop but I cannot find one that will fit your drive. You can buy the prop I discussed here at Iboats for less than $ 110.

018.jpg
 

SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Re: The right Prop??

Sorry for the poor picture of the engine compartment, this was taken when I first went to look at this boat before purchase. It had been sitting for 2 years, we have never had water issues while in the water and it is much cleaner now as well the inverter is no longer located beside the batteries, as per your suggestion I will try and locate this prop locally and keep you updated.

Sig
 

SIGNJOJO

Cadet
Joined
May 8, 2010
Messages
8
Re: The right Prop??

OK all, just finished fathers day, installed 15x13 prop....... hmmmm, thinkn to small, 5kts at 2K but no issues to 4000 rpm. I am thinkn 14x15 next, any opinions????

Sig
 
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