Opinions needed on Turbo props

[CaneCutter79]

I have received recommendations for a new polished SS prop. The manuf. is TURBO. The Turbo 1 is what was recommended to me for my boat based on a boat owner's personal experience with other reputable props.

I know that what works for one, doesn't always mean it will work for another person. His boat and my boat are within a 200lbs of each other in dry weight, I have an 85hp outboard, he has a 90hp outboard. His hull has better performance characteristics because mine is an older tri-hull or modified hull.

What I want to know is more about the manufacturer and their reputation. The guy I know swears by them but polished stainless props are usually in the $400-$800 range depending on what you buy.

I can get a Turbo 1 for around $260 with free shipping. Is this a good prop and a good deal?

http://www.boatownersworld.com/Props/turbo/turbo_1.htm

 

[Bondo]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

Ayuh,... rather than comparing your boat to a Totally different boat,...

Why don't you tell Us about your boat,...
Ya know, what it's doin',+ what you want it to do...Differently...

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

My question is more about the prop manufacturer than if it?s a good fit for my boat. I want to know opinions on the props performance on other boats (not like mine), customer service, quality of product, etc.

I figure the props are good props but the price has me a bit nervous. It?s an awesome price but is it too low? Meaning the props are not high quality. They appear to be but I?d rather have a user opinion.

I?ve already researched and asked a lot of questions so I know what type of prop I need, pitch, etc.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

I have a Turbo on my 1991 115. It has a VERY good bite, and I am very satisfyed with it. That being said, I have only compared it to an aluminium prob and a Solas Stainless prop and it is way better than both.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

I have a Turbo on my 1991 115. It has a VERY good bite, and I am very satisfyed with it. That being said, I have only compared it to an aluminium prob and a Solas Stainless prop and it is way better than both.

Thanks for the feedback. I have heard the same thing. They perform much better and bite like crazy compared to numerous other brands. I've read nothing but good things so far.

So the $260 price range is a good deal with free shipping right?

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

I have several friends that use them....and love them. If I were to go stainless, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

Thanks. The guy that recommended them to me gained 5-6mph (GPS) just by switching to the Turbo. Sounded like a lot of gain to me and maybe he had the wrong prop before. He then explained that it was the same pitch, same type, etc. but the PowerTech prop that the hull manufacturer (Xpress boats) recommended did not perform as well as the Turbo. He has since put a 10" jackplate on his little 17ft Xpress with a 90hp Mercury and running 52mph GPS. He said with that prop, he cannot get it high enough or far back enough. The more he does, the better the boat runs. He put the PowerTech back on to compare and he lost the 5mph he had gained with the Turbo simply because it has less slip ratio and bites much better. After many conversations and questions with him, I was convinced this prop was worth looking into.


SO....now I'm going to give a bit of information on my boat.

1979 Cane Cutter tri-hull (modified V? - more like a shallow V-hull with shallow/small V's on the sides) and a 1979 85hp Evinrude V-4 2-stroke

Here is a video of how the boat rides in the water. Notice the cowling is "flat" or tilted downwards (very little trim achievable without the prop slipping and my RPMs go from 5,100rpm to 5,550 do to prop slip and boat slows from 39mph to 34mph)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PX01uFLMIA

- The hull weight is 800lbs, around total weight around 1,200 (est. weight) with only driver and 6gal. of fuel.
- Current protp is factory SSTII 3-blade 19-pitch (have 17-p vented alum. with little to know performance difference)
- boat currently runs between 39-40mph (GPS) at 5,100-5,150rpm
- current props slips badly if over-trimmed
- very little trim is acheivable with current prop
- I realize with this model/make boat, you should not have a lot of upward trim but it currently slips if the trim is raised more than 3seconds (cowling slopes down, not up like it should)
- back of boat hull is pushing a lot of water (rides too low)
- front of hull dragging (need prop with bow lift)
- I tried a brand new 21-p factory 3-blade and it slipped worse than my 19-p
- My 19-p prop has almost "0" cup on the blades, worn off over last 30yrs


After much research, I have deducted that I need a 17-pitch 3-blade "performance prop" like the Turbo 1 (known for bow lift and hull lift) to lift the hull out of the water better while on plane to create less push/drag which will increase fuel economy, more efficient performance, and maybe 2-3mph. I mainly want less hull in the water, and the extra 3mph if possible.


I have watched MANY Youtube videos of outboards in my year range, for Johnson/Evinrude motors and the best performing boats have a little positive/upward trim on the cowling and very little wake because the boat is lifted more from a performance prop.


Am I way off track here?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

Personally I have no issues with anything Precision propeller makes, either Turbo or Stiletto. I do however, have personal opinions about who you're getting it from, just excercise caution. The T-1 will be a real decent prop for your boat. I wish Turbo still made the Lightning Jr. I've been hammering on them but it doesn't look like they are going to bring it back out. Bummer.

You are dead on, we use specific types of props to help lift a given hull in a given way. The T-1 has pretty good lift, I think you'll be happy with it on your boat. Don't be surprised if you can raise the motor and gain even more.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

BTW - that price probably won't include the hub kit for the new style square bore props. It may even be an old style prop with the pressed in rubber hub. Might be nice to find out what they're sending.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

Don't be surprised if you can raise the motor and gain even more.

I was hoping that would be the case. The general rule of thumb is you do not want the rooster tail higher than the top of the cowling. Any more than that and it's inefficient. At least that's how it applies to big bass boats. Right now, I have no rooster at all and the prop I have now is made to be buried in the water.

I feel I have a lot of trim potential to gain back by changing props. I am estimating that I am currently running at about half of the "potential trim" or the trim range for that boat/motor setup. With the right prop, I should be able to trim up more, gain a 200-300 rpm by doing so, pick up a few more miles per hour and gain more bow lift which reduces drag.

Current speeds are 39-40. I'm estimating that I will get 45mph (GPS) after a tune-up, new prop, and weight adjustments.


By the way, that price is prop only. The hub kit is separate but that's still a great price for prop only considering it's $140 to rebuild my current prop and I won't gain a thing by re-building it.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

BTW - that price probably won't include the hub kit for the new style square bore props. It may even be an old style prop with the pressed in rubber hub. Might be nice to find out what they're sending.

It includes the hub in the cost. I ordered today and can't wait to see the performance difference. I've heard nothing but great things about Turbo. As bad as my current prop slips, about anything will be a vast improvement.

 

[CaneCutter79]

Re: Opinions needed on Turbo props

Well I got the 17-pitch Turbo1 3-blade and the lift is great. It did exactly what I needed and what I wanted for lift. The problem is, my RPMs are the same. I guess by dropping from a 19 to a 17 with more aggressive cup and rake avreraged the RPMs out to be the same.

I just got a tune-up before the newe prop and my RPMs dropped 100-200 rpm even with the old prop. The timing wasn't adjusted but I can't explain the rpm$ drop. Now both props run 5,000rpm and the same speeds.

I plan on getting a carb kit and replacing one of the coils. One coil has a damaged wire that has been soldered to the wire coming out of the coil.

I guess the motor is running at it's maximum potential but I was hoping I could increase the rpm when I lifted the hull out of the water more. I guess the increased lift req'd more power and reduced the rpm to 5,000.

Any thoughts on how to gain about 200-400rpm?