my final prop test

[glen e]

Like Ken always says, you never know until you strap them on and go run them. Added the rev 4 17's and the Enertia 19's to the prior grids and the results are interesting...for me I think I'll stay with Enertia or rev4...they both are smoother and dock better than the tempests...still need to see how the enertia handles the ocean for blow out...

[BenL]

I wonder why the docking aspect of propping is so important. To clarify, is docking pulling up for gas/food or to get the boat on the lift or on the trailer?, and is there a big difference with regards to slow/idle-speed handling that it should/must be taken into consideration?

[glen e]

the bigger the boat the more wind catches the boat and makes it more difficult to dock just using forward and reverse...getting into a slip backward in the bahamas when there is a 4 knot current and 20 mph wind, you appreciate it when reverse works well and a "fwd on one and reverse on the other" turns the boat without throttle. Saves gelcoat crunches....

Is this the sole reason in choosing a prop? Not even close... but if two are equal, I'll take the one with better docking/slow speed/manuvering power....

[BenL]

Ahhh, in my narrow mind, with me only seeing open faced docks in all the areas I travel, and not slips and all the many other docking variables that don't exist where I go, with boat size, T-tops, twins, it makes sense to me now. Heck, I haven't even tried a 4-blade prop on my boat/motor so I can only imagine the difference for now.

[glen e]

Ben - Here's a story for you...7-8 years ago when I got my first set of outboards I did not know anything about props....just assumed the mfr had put the "right ones" on...I did notice mine were 3 blade and early on I was down in the keys and was at the gas dock gassing up.... and a Grady 33 came in - THE BIGGEST OUTBOARD BOAT I HAD EVER SEEN....He was gassing and pulled his motors up to get some weed off them and I saw my first set of stainless 4 blades...BEAUTIFUL...you could tell they were brand new. I asked the captain what was the biggest diff he saw when he mounted them.

He smiled and said:

"'I can back up now...."

and so the quest started.....

[jenkinsph]

What is the optimum cruise speed with the Rev 4 17"p prop? Also after running
the new 300 engines how much more efficient are they at cruise than the 250s' ?



Steve

[ken2]

I still like the numbers on the Tempest 19. good fuel economy and speed.
But as you've said. "numbers" isn't everything.


As for the docking performance, Personally, I don't dock in to many tight spaces, so I never really thought about it much.

BUT.... I saw the need for it when Testing a few guys on the east coast over there.
They're spinning around and backing through an insanly tight maze of boats that cost more then my house. (with wind and current)
I was very impressed.

[glen e]

Originally Posted by jenkinsph

What is the optimum cruise speed with the Rev 4 17"p prop? Also after running
the new 300 engines how much more efficient are they at cruise than the 250s' ?



Steve

the best way to explain how good the 300's are is they burn almost the exact same amount as the 250's and get 50 more hp per engine....

[darbikrash]

Glen,

Nice report, thanks. Me being new to the OB world, what would you recommend for props for my 35'?

The factory tests show about 10,000# of weight with twin 300 Verados. Other owners with same power are showing 61.5 mph @ 6120 rpm, I think with 21" Tempest.

What do you suggest- 4 blades or three? And which prop would you point me at?

What's important to me is having plenty of stern lift, good handling around the dock, and the best fuel economy at 3500-4000 RPM possible. Not terribly interested in top speed.

John

[glen e]

John - I'd start with 4 props....temepst 21 or 19 or Rev 4 - 21 or 19

Impossible to tell what will work....depends onthe hull and engine height - I'm sure sea hunter will know a bit but I find it amazing that most mfr's (except fountain) do very little prop testing, they just go with a Mirage 3 blade which gives good all around peformance....and the tmepest is a better prop than the mirage...also many mfrs mount the engones low to keep them out of litigation from spinouts if mounted for good pefoemance. Mine had to come up almost 4 inces to get it right....

you might want to get Ken at Propgods.com to come over at delivery and bring his van full of props...as I have found out, you NEVER know what will work until you strap em on...