Honda Bf 130 / Lund 1700 Fisherman Prop Choice

[SAGENT]

I've got a Honda BF130 mated to a Lund 1700 Fisherman ( deep v hull aluminum ). The prop thats been on the boat since new is a Honda 3 blade Solas 13.25" X 17" pitch. Holeshot has always been bad and stern is extremely heavy. You have to stand up the first few seconds of acceleration so you can see where you are going. What, in theory should I gain or lose switching to a 4 blade Solas 12.75" X 17" pitch prop? Right now the boat will do about 45 MPH at WOT running about 5750 RPM. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Honda Bf 130 / Lund 1700 Fisherman Prop Choice

That would cost ya some RPM on top and really not give a better hole-shot.
If you're wanting a 4-blade, I'd go with a 16P and raise the engine on the transom 1 hole....this would help a bit with hole-shot, but top-end likely will be a bit slower.
Are you wanting alum or ss?

 

[shayward]

Re: Honda Bf 130 / Lund 1700 Fisherman Prop Choice

I have owned and rigged many boats in my life. That aside what I'm offering are opinions. Please do your own research on my suggestions.
You have the wrong engine on that boat. I had the same boat with a 90 Honda and it worked amazing and ran 42 mph. The 130 is a Honda Accord engine and is massive and caused many boat companies grief due to it's weight. That aside you need to deal with this.
A Honda engine isn't propped right unless it will run a 6000 rpm plus a bit when light. Your top RPM means that when the boat is carrying extra weight etc. it is being asked to start off in the wrong gear so to speak. By dropping your pitch 1 size smaller you are going to be hitting 6100 rpm and perhaps higher, which is pushing it on that end, but the rev limiter will prevent it going higher.It will help your acceleration for sure.
I'd say the four blade prop with the smaller diameter you mentioned would be a good test for a number of reasons. The smaller diameter should allow the engine to rev quicker, and logically accelerate quicker. Any Honda marine dealer with an eye on customer satisfaction would let you try one. If not, find a new dealer.
Honda has switched to four blade props now. Typically they offer a stronger hole shot at the expense of some top speed.
Everything here is going to cost money so something that would really help are trim tabs. This is an active way to lift the transom during acceleration. An other option is a lift fin on the engine. This is the cheapest solution, and they help, but do exert loads on the engine that many suggest isn't appropriate.
Too bad though because who ever rigged the boat should have known better, and helped avoid these problems from day one with an engine that weighed less, or a boat that was a foot or so longer.