Honda bf 50 prop

[d.a.l]

Hey guys, I asked this forum earlier for some prop advise and here are the results. I have a 2004 Honda BF50 on a KMV 480(16'6") Fiberglas centre console, 800lbs empty. I have a deep cycle battery some emergency gear and anchor (10lbs) stored in the nose and battery and 2.5 gallon tank stored under the rear bench seat. The prop that came with the boat was an 11 1/4x13p which put the rpms past redline, w.o.t, and then I tried an 11x14p, which still didn’t work so I went to a 10x16p. The 10x16p puts the rpms just under 6000 w.o.t with me alone and to 5800 with my wife and two young kids, trimmed. It takes longer to plane and the boat is quite sluggish when pulling my 12 yr. old tubing. I'm happy with the cruising wot rpm range but I was wondering if a different prop would give me the rpm w.o.t range I need and more power to pull the kids tubing or skiing? Or do I revert back to the 11 1/4x13p when I pull anything? Would a prop with more blades, 4 or 5, give me the best of both worlds i.e. keep my max rpm down below 6000 and still have the power to get on plane quicker or have more power while pulling skiers or tubing? Don.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

D.A.L<br />You have a strange situation there. Its not often that someone has to add 3 inches of pitch just to keep it below the redline. You might want to try a 4 blade prop. The extra drag will drop your RPM a bit, but it will give you better bite on hole shot. A 16" is almost too high to pull a tube. You may want to go back to the 14 on days when you plan on taking the kids out.<br /><br />How does the 14 pull the kids? If you have the resources, you may want to try a 15" 4 blade with 11" diameter. This may give you the best all around compromise.<br /><br />Nav

 

[d.a.l]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

Yes, I wondered about the four-blade prop. My local marina has been quite good at ordering props for me to try out, 3 so far. The original 11 1/4x13p put me up on plane in about 5 seconds and pulled my kids around quite easily but w.o.t put me way over 6500 rpm, estimated. Perhaps it is the shape of the hull because I see other 16ft centre consoles with 40hp outboards all the time, usually Honda’s. I think I'll call Michigan wheel and see what they say about going the four blade route or I'll just have to change props when necessary, a five minute task. Just a thought, would a BF40 on this boat been a better choice - less hp so it would have to work harder, lower rpms, so I could use a smaller pitch prop? Don.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

D.A.L<br /><br />I wouldn't look at trading the 50. I have a 40 on a 16ft and man I wish I had the 50 Like they say, the perfect boat is always your "next" boat...<br /><br />Another thought...is your current prop cupped? A cupped edge prop will give you more bite and better acceleration, plus it will lower the rpm's at WOT.<br /><br />Just a thought. Talk to your marina or Michigan wheel about your setup.<br /><br />Nav

 

[d.a.l]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

How true! Thanks for the reminder about the cup. I also believe rake may also have some effect, it's quite a science I hear! Now that I have a good benchmark, if need be I should be able to tweek my choices to achieve an all around best result.<br />Thanks again, Don

 

[scotty c]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

i'm running same motor and prop on my 16' runabout and i also would get over 6000 rpm's<br />if running wide open.<br />i live with it, as the 11-1/4x13 prop will put my boat on plane in 5 seconds and push it <br />30mph at 6000 rpm's<br /><br />i just watch the tach and don't push it past red line.

 

[d.a.l]

Re: Honda bf 50 prop

I was thinking about that myself Scotty but my wife also drives the boat and she's just learning. The last thing I want to find out is that she's been running at 6500 rpm all day while she was concentrating on other things. The prop only cost me $78.00 cdn. so I'll keep it for now and research an alternative if there is one. <br />Don.