Prop Drauma

[Tail_Gunner]

Boat: 1993 open bow starcraft fiberglass<br /><br />Engine: 3.0 merc, alpha 1, 2:1 gears<br /><br />13.75 21p 41mph @4800. good top end no hole shot Michigam wheel alum (Non gps)<br /><br />14 19p 38 mph @ 5100 nice hole shot but blow's out in the turns (Non gps) aluminum mich wheel<br /><br />The boat has a tendecy to lose it plane in rough water (drops its nose into the chop and plows)Rather than staying on top of the waves. I have been told by the previous owner that putting a tail on the cav plate slows it down but relieves that somewhat.<br /><br /> <br /> Just receieved a the wrong prop from iboats and there are no more in stock @ the price i got it for.......... figure that out.<br /><br />Anyway i am now thinking maybe installing trim tabs and a 14 x 20 4 blade (or 19) aluminum (money's almost the same as going ss) Or should i go to a 19p 4 blade with a lot of cupping ss.<br /><br />What i am looking for is a good hole shot,pulling skiers's and trying to elimnate some of the bow dipping in a rough chop (Its not porpising dead smooth on smooth water)

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Prop Drauma

Since staying on plane is a major issue, by all means look at Nauticus Smart Tabs. Cheaper than a prop and will take care of some hole shot and handling issues. As for props, 5100 is too high. 4800 is acceptable but, if the 19 gets you out of the hole, you can always throttle back a little to keep revs in safe limits. There is no free lunch though -- you can't high top end, hole shot, and towability all at the same time. You need two props -- one for water sports and one for cruising provided of course your use is evenly split between the two. You might look at weight distribution in the boat as well as it appears to be bow heavy. If you are trimmed in too far you will definitely drive the bow down and have trouble staying on plane. Forget the whale tale. Just go to the Nauticus web site and look at the Smart Tab story. I have them and love 'em.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Prop Drauma

Tail_Gunner;<br /><br />The most common "answer" to small boat performance has been a prop change. There is no doubt that props will change the performance characteristics of any boat, but it is not the only answer. Keep in mind that if you need to climb out of a hole (hole Shot) that a lower gear (lower pitch prop) will be more effective, but you will still be waisting energy climbing up hill. A combination of the correct prop and our Smart Tabs will give you more performance than you can immagine. <br /><br />Do not change the prop before you get the Smart Tabs installed if that is the route you choose. Why? Because you want to make the hull as efficient as possible before you choose your gear (prop). Properly tooned (adjusted) Smart Tabs will add about 100 to 150 RPMs and 2 to 4 MPH to the top end plus better accelleration. Now choose the prop for your desired use. Keep in mind that making the hull more efficient takes a load off the engine and reduces the fuel consumption.

 

[tommays]

Re: Prop Drauma

<br /><br /><br />If you vent the 21 in like this it will help the hole shot a lot buy allowing it to slip more at low speed <br /><br />If you want to stay on plane better at low speeds you will need some type of trim tab system<br /><br />tommays

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop Drauma

I have ordered the trim tabs, however going out and looking as to the mount position i have found that the mfg already built in a baby trim tab. That is 15" from the center of the v they have built in a lip or dip better said that is 11" wide goes back towards the bow for 5 inches and has a gradual lip of 1/4 to 3/8 of a inch that is it extends or dips below the rest of the hull. Will trim tabs aid this?<br /><br />As to the prop i will wait until the tabs are mounted and see the results. And i do intend to vent the 21 pitch prop.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Prop Drauma

You won't need vents with the smart-tabs....