Tachometer is the best, speed is not a real factorWhen "propping" a motor, better to use Pitot speed or GPS speed?
Technically, it can be if comparing props of different types (material, blade count, rake, diameter, etc.), although the "is is a correct prop" determination is a factor of WOT RPM and what the engine's spec calls for.Tachometer is the best, speed is not a real factor
Yeah ,I bought my last prop of aliexpress ....Solas ...80 bucks ....coulda spent 4 hundy, and if I feel like goin all posh I can paint it a different colourI never noticed any performance differences between materials and number of blades but I don’t have a need or desire to squeeze every bit of performance out of a boat. Diameter and pitch make noticeable differences.
i run upstream as far as I can / should so I just budget a new Solas every year.Yeah ,I bought my last prop of aliexpress ....Solas ...80 bucks ....coulda spent 4 hundy, and if I feel like goin all posh I can paint it a different colour![]()
Heh , when I got my project Tohatsu the prop was so munted I couldnt suss the pitch or dia , I had to go google and then I still had to take a guess as to the correct pitch for it ....just went with the one it listed as the one it was sold with ....works goodi run upstream as far as I can / should so I just budget a new Solas every year.
I have. I have an 18 pitch 4 bladed prop that hits middle of WOT range under load, while I have a 19 pitch 3 bladed prop that hits top of WOT range under load. The 19 runs a bit faster. But the 4 blade has more lift and doesn't respond to trimming... and also has a buttload of rake to the point of not clearing a standard Mercruiser trim anode (which is why I stopped using it). Both of those are Piranha composite props; I also have 21 pitch blades for the 3 and was able to quantify it (lower WOT, higher top speed, worked well and was in-spec for light loads without towing anything). Sure, it's mostly for bragging rights, but the GPS speedo is how I was able to quantify that.I never noticed any performance differences between materials and number of blades but I don’t have a need or desire to squeeze every bit of performance out of a boat. Diameter and pitch make noticeable differences.
I dont get how a prop could give you lift ,I thought they just thrusted along the shaft axis.....but in any event I just stick with one prop per motor that fits it ....like as long as it fits the wot criteria, Im happy . Now days I dont go that far from the ramp in the sea or that fast in the lake...mostly trolling in the lake ...and enjoying the scenery , so it aint that bigger deal .I have. I have an 18 pitch 4 bladed prop that hits middle of WOT range under load, while I have a 19 pitch 3 bladed prop that hits top of WOT range under load. The 19 runs a bit faster. But the 4 blade has more lift and doesn't respond to trimming... and also has a buttload of rake to the point of not clearing a standard Mercruiser trim anode (which is why I stopped using it). Both of those are Piranha composite props; I also have 21 pitch blades for the 3 and was able to quantify it (lower WOT, higher top speed, worked well and was in-spec for light loads without towing anything). Sure, it's mostly for bragging rights, but the GPS speedo is how I was able to quantify that.
FWIW, I have a 19 pitch 4-bladed Solas AL prop that my boss gifted me from his junk pile... not as much rake as the 4-bladed Piranha. Later this season I'll give it a try (and hope the hub isn't spun).
The other thing I use the GPS speedo for the odometer and being able to roughly qualify fuel economy. I have had substantial differences between props, and since I don't refuel on the water, can be useful for planning future outings (namely, figuring how much a difference is made and being able to make the right prop/blade choice).
Not everybody boats the way I do. I don't fish. I don't really cruise/raft up. I'm usually in motion (sometimes towing a tube, and potentially towing a skier someday in the future)... sometimes stopping to eat lunch or take a swim. That's what my boat was built to do. So for me, the GPS speedometer is very useful.
Yeah I sorta forgot that about the trim tab /anode being there for a reason .Blade Geometry can provide a directional Thrust, not parallel to the Propshaft