Frank Acampora
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
- 12,004
I have just returned from the river and testing my new Ballistic prop. Overall, I was satisfied with the results.
The test was run on a 15 foot Glastron V153 rated for 90 HP and carrying an old Chrysler 105 (actually 90).
The engine has a 2 to 1 lower unit and the correct prop for this combination by trial and error is an uncupped 13 X 19 stainless which yeilded 5000 RPM and 45 MPH at WOT.
I realized right off the bat that the 13 X 21 fully cupped Ballistic would be too much prop for this engine but I wanted to get some water time and this boat and engine were the only ones quickly available. I did need to modify the thrust washer to allow the blades to clear the exhaust snout, but it was a simple fix.
The Ballistic, as expected, loaded the engine down to only 4100-4200 at WOT. Also as expected, hole shot was crappy. The engine really didn't like the prop at anything less than 3000 RPM. It stalled in gear at idle and shook and grumbled during low speed acceleration. However, above 3000 it came on, smoothed out, and top speed at 4100 was about 48 MPH. If I had a 13 X 19 Ballistic in my arsenal, I expect RPM would rise about 500 and speed around 50 or so would be attained. Even though these speeds were read off the boat speedometer, error should be close to the same at the two top speeds and this speedometer agrees with the GPS at 45 MPH. Next time I will take my GPS with me. The tach doesn't lie though.
The prop definitely lifted the hull higher and indeed at top speed it was just a bit "squirrely." Not really chine walking but wiggling a little bit--just enough that I could feel her. However with the engine raised only one inch above the Vee at the transom, the prop never gave any indication of ventilating or breaking loose, even during sharp turns.
All things considered, the Ballistic performed better than expected on my hull and engine combo--even though it was too much prop--and I would say that it was a positive experience. I would not hesitate to buy a 13 X 19 to test on this boat.
The test was run on a 15 foot Glastron V153 rated for 90 HP and carrying an old Chrysler 105 (actually 90).
The engine has a 2 to 1 lower unit and the correct prop for this combination by trial and error is an uncupped 13 X 19 stainless which yeilded 5000 RPM and 45 MPH at WOT.
I realized right off the bat that the 13 X 21 fully cupped Ballistic would be too much prop for this engine but I wanted to get some water time and this boat and engine were the only ones quickly available. I did need to modify the thrust washer to allow the blades to clear the exhaust snout, but it was a simple fix.
The Ballistic, as expected, loaded the engine down to only 4100-4200 at WOT. Also as expected, hole shot was crappy. The engine really didn't like the prop at anything less than 3000 RPM. It stalled in gear at idle and shook and grumbled during low speed acceleration. However, above 3000 it came on, smoothed out, and top speed at 4100 was about 48 MPH. If I had a 13 X 19 Ballistic in my arsenal, I expect RPM would rise about 500 and speed around 50 or so would be attained. Even though these speeds were read off the boat speedometer, error should be close to the same at the two top speeds and this speedometer agrees with the GPS at 45 MPH. Next time I will take my GPS with me. The tach doesn't lie though.
The prop definitely lifted the hull higher and indeed at top speed it was just a bit "squirrely." Not really chine walking but wiggling a little bit--just enough that I could feel her. However with the engine raised only one inch above the Vee at the transom, the prop never gave any indication of ventilating or breaking loose, even during sharp turns.
All things considered, the Ballistic performed better than expected on my hull and engine combo--even though it was too much prop--and I would say that it was a positive experience. I would not hesitate to buy a 13 X 19 to test on this boat.
