Propeller Question.

[mixermarkb]

I think GNS is maybe onto something. How high is your rooster tail at WOT, full out running?

[Troy Gregg]

I threw a blade off a fury when my boat was new and the prop was maybe a month old, it came apart at 6000 rpm and 77.6 mph (I was watching my gps) when the boat jerked hard and lost all momentum and about shook me outta the boat, I let up the hot foot immediately and as I idled in gear the vibration was extreme and still making the boat shake. The prop was defective and warrantied, replaced it with the same type prop and ran it for over 2 years before I had my next issue (lost its cup).

I'm with mixermark and GNS, I think the issue is in the setup of the motor at this point, the rpms are correct the speed seems to be light for a skeeter, therefore I think that rooster tail is sky high and just spraying a lot of water. May need to adjust the motor height either by jack plate or the bolt holes or a combination of both to get the optimum motor height and jack plate setting. It is awfully odd to throw so many ears off so many props, most guys will only ever throw one or two in their fishing career, I know several elites who have yet to lose one.

Top Gun Marine in Nixa does a top notch job with performance boats and making them run there best maybe these guys can help getting it running right

[Alex Heitman]

IMO I think 65 is fast enough.Not to mention the gas you burn for a few extra minutes of fishing. I run usually at 50 MPH. When you are running full throttle all the time I think it puts more wear and tear on your motor. Just not smart in my opinion to run wide open all the time.

[GNSfishing]

Here is a method to start on setting the motor height and work up or down until the best location is found. Start at a gap measurement of 3-1/2 inches between the bottom of the pad and motor prop shaft center line. This is just a starting point, every boat, motor, and prop combination has its own sweet spot.

[rs00765605]

These are brand new props. Yamaha warrantied one, but then rolled over after that. My boat won't throw a roostertail, maybe the height of the motor, but nothing more, not that I would want it any higher with it. Also, here is another strange one....The more loaded down my boat is, more gas, water in livewells...ect, the faster it runs. No matter what, I am getting 20%+ prop slippage. I have lowered it a bit and it got a bit better, but I can't go much lower.

[rs00765605]

Also....with the 4 blade, I can't throw a tail at all. No matter what prop I use, I get my max speed between 1/2 and 2/3 trim. At 2/3rds trim, my speed drops fast. I'll be out at Cape Fair Saturday afternoon playing with it somemore.

[tapout]

When you mention the heavier / more loaded - the better / faster it runs.....????. That said I'd be lowering the motor on the jack plate all the way and start working 1 turn at a time back up. Make sure the boat is loaded just like you will have it loaded when you expect peak performance.

It can be really frustrating (like "I'm selling this @$% of @#$^ thing!") finding the height / prop combo. I can't imagine what I'd say if I was having to purchase new props regularly. Good luck.

In fact, disregard my advise as I don't want to add to your frustration. I'm frustrated just thinking about it.

[merc1997 Bo]

if you are peeling ears off of every prop, it is not a prop issue. sounds more like a prop shaft issue. no one else is peeling ears. as far as you running a yamaha, a yamaha prop should be a good setup for your boat. but, you still need to get to the bottom of what is causing slinging blades. slinging a blade on a cast prop is very rare without damaging the prop to begin with.

bo

Props - Now there is a sore subject for me. I run a 20' Skeeter with a 200 Yamaha. I cannot get this thing even close to doing what it is supposed to do. Every 3 blade prop I put on there throws an ear within 2 or 3 trips out. Some props run ok, and others run like crap. The best I've found is a 27-M, but I can't keep blades on it. Right now I am running a 4-blader which is WAY too small for my setup, but I just watch the RPM's and putt along about 58-60 with NO performance. I worked with John at Hot Props for quite a while and he can't get it. Matt at Dyna prop says I need a 26 Tempest, but it won't stay together either. And No, I'm not hitting anything either. I can throw a blade off a 3 blader in 100' ft of water within the 3rd or 4th run on that prop. Any ideas?

[garyw]

prop shaft bent?

[Troy Gregg]

IMO I think 65 is fast enough.Not to mention the gas you burn for a few extra minutes of fishing. I run usually at 50 MPH. When you are running full throttle all the time I think it puts more wear and tear on your motor. Just not smart in my opinion to run wide open all the time.

While it is true about the fuel consumption and all that these 2 stroke motors of today are meant to be run and run hard, to much low speed /low temp operation is just as harmful if not more harmful to the engine. This allows them to build up carbon and restricts the engines performance, you don't have to keep it pegged open all the time but do it a favor and open it up for a little bit on every other outing and don't forget your additives (stabil or Quickleen )

A guy I know ran into this this year. His boat wasn't performing at the top end, it was to restricted from the buildup of low temp operation, a couple bottles of power tune and Quickleen and a tank of gas had his boat back in shape