Prop for Four Winns H200

[elf62]

Looking to replace the stock aluminum prop on my 2009 Four Winns H200 with Volvo 4.3L GXi SX drive which has 225 hp and a WOT range of 4400 to 4800 RPM. Current prop is a Volvo 14.3" diameter with 21 pitch. Max RPM at WOT is 4500 with speed of 45 MPH with 3 people on board). Length of boat is 19'8" and weight of boat is about 3000 # plus I have a wake tower and bimini top.

I do a lot of towing (tubes, kneeboards, wakeboards, wakeskates) and usually have 4 people in the boat so I am looking for thrust and faster planing (not top speed). Was wondering whether to go to 4 blade and/or decrease pitch. Also wondering how other brands compare to Volvo prop I am replacing and whether stainless steel is worth the price.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Welcome to Iboats...

We will need all the info from this "read this first" link in order to make any educated recommendations:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=287818

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

See original post with updated information.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

A Solas HR titan 19p 4 blade ss would make a nice prop

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Since I am in the correct operating range with my 21p 3 blade, is decrease to 19p for 4 blade too much of a decrease. There seem to be less available choices in 20p but will that keep me closer to the optimum range than a 19p? Also, I have 14.3 diameter now. Is there much difference with 14 or 14.5" diameter? Lastly, still weighing pros and cons of SS vs alum. Although SS is more durable, not sure I want to replace a stern drive if I hit something with it. Do all SS come with breakaway hubs and do they work as advertised?

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

See original post with updated information.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

IF you hit something so hard as to rip a drive it wont be the prop that does it...the bullet on the drive will take the hit..As before a 19 p 4 blade solas will put you about 4700 with a load

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

I agree entirely. If going up in blade count, and changing to Solas (a more aggressive prop), you will need to drop pitch to 19, based on your current setup and RPM.

A 21 in a Solas will under-rev.

Ignore 14 vs 14.5 diameter...won't matter for your application. Just shop for prop features and pitch.

Solas Amita is a 4 blade aluminum alternative for you to consider, though I agree that stainless is a better option that will last longer, therefore be a better financial decision, and will provide better performance to boot.

I've twisted one spline in my life....and that was on an aluminum prop. I do not subscribe to the alarmist theory that stainless props damage outdrives, and I am a firm believer in using stainless props for anything over approx 140 hp...

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Thanks for suggesting 19p SS. When using prop selectors going from 3 to 4 blade, the prop manufacturers seem to recommend 20p. However when using prop calculator from Victoria Props that accounts for boat size and weight, I get 17p or 18p, depending on the weight I put in it. I assume that is closer to optimum. Do you think 17p or 18p would overrev? See input and output below.

Waterline length in feet: 18 feet
Beam at the waterline in feet: 8.33 feet
Hull draft in feet (excluding keel): 1.25 feet
Vessel weight in pounds: 3800 lbs
Engine Horsepower: 225 HP
Number of engines: 1
Total Engine Horsepower: 225 HP

Engine R.P.M. (max): 4800 RPM
Gear Ratio: 1.6:1
Shaft R.P.M. (max): 3000 RPM

Number of shaft bearings (per shaft): 2
Hull Constant: 150
Desired speed in Knots: 40 knots
Horsepower Calculations

This will calculate the maximum horsepower and torque available at the prop(s).

Total available horsepower at the engine(s): 225 HP
Total available torque ft/lbs at the engine(s): 246 ft/lbs
Horsepower loss of 3% per gearbox: - 6.8 HP
Horsepower loss of 1.5% per shaft bearing: - 6.8 HP

Total horsepower available at the propeller(s): 211.5 HP
Total torque ft/lbs available at the propeller(s): 370 ft/lbs
Speed & Power Calculations

Calculations based on desired speed and available HP
HP required at propeller(s) for desired 40 knots speed: 270.2 HP
Estimated speed with existing 225 horsepower:
This is the speed we will use for the propeller size. 35.39 Knots

At this point it is important to note that all of the calculations above are based on full RPM and HP. Most engines are rated to run at a percentage of thier full RPM. This is what will determine your maximum cruising speed. The propeller sizing calculations below are based on 90% of full RPM, which allows the engine to develop it's maximum power without overloading. The chart below shows typical engine ratings, you can find this information in your engine specifications.

Recomended RPM for continuous operation
Type of engine % of max RPM
Light-duty gasoline and diesel automotive conversions 70 - 80%
Light-duty or high output marine diesels 80 - 85%
Intermittent-duty marine diesels 88 - 92%
Continuous-duty heavy marine diesels 98 - 100%
Propeller Size

Number of blades Diameter (inches) Pitch (inches)
2 Blade 15.9 X 18.2
3 Blade 15.1 X 18.0
4 Blade 14.2 X 17.6

The propeller sizes shown above do not contain calculations for cavitation or blade loading.
If you find that the recommended propeller is too large to fit your vessel, you can try increasing the shaft speed. Failing this, you can reduce the diameter and increase the pitch at the expense of your propeller efficiency. The rule of thumb is 1 inch of diameter is equal to 1 1/2 to 2 inches of pitch.

 

[Chappy216]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Since I am in the correct operating range with my 21p 3 blade, is decrease to 19p for 4 blade too much of a decrease. There seem to be less available choices in 20p but will that keep me closer to the optimum range than a 19p? Also, I have 14.3 diameter now. Is there much difference with 14 or 14.5" diameter? Lastly, still weighing pros and cons of SS vs alum. Although SS is more durable, not sure I want to replace a stern drive if I hit something with it. Do all SS come with breakaway hubs and do they work as advertised?

Elf62, you need to read this topic conversation. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=482339

I just tried a Solas HR4 19 this week from a 21 aluminum. Check it out.

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Thanks. Looks like you were dealing with the same issue, although your boat is slightly larger than mine. I am honing in on the following props:
Solas HR Titan SS (14.25"X17p, 14.125"X18, or 19p),
Stiletto Bay Pro II (14"X18 or 20p), and the
Powertech Accelerator Series (13.75"X17 or 19p) or Super Cup (14.5"X17p) or X Series (15"X17p)
Does anyone have any thoughts on these props/sizes for my situation.

 

[Chappy216]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Thanks. Looks like you were dealing with the same issue, although your boat is slightly larger than mine. I am honing in on the following props:
Solas HR Titan SS (14.25"X17p, 14.125"X18, or 19p),
Stiletto Bay Pro II (14"X18 or 20p), and the
Powertech Accelerator Series (13.75"X17 or 19p) or Super Cup (14.5"X17p) or X Series (15"X17p)
Does anyone have any thoughts on these props/sizes for my situation.

I may be larger but I think the ratio of boat and motor is nearly the same. Same gear ratio, same alum 21 prop, nearly same speed, with high slip percent >20.

I never dreamed a 19" prop would be too much for my boat but, It has extremely high cup and rake. The lift was something and it was faster despite lowering my rpm to 4400.

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Thanks Chappy. If you think the 19p is too much for your boat, do you think you and I would be better served with an 18p? If so, it looks like the choices would be the Titan HR, the Apollo, or the BayPro II that everyone raves about.
Tailgunner and Wallyhead, do you think I can go down to to the 18p without over revving when I only have two people in the boat (3500 LB)? If not, would you recommend the Titan HR, the BayPro II or the Apollo?
If I need to go with the 19p, do you recommend the Titan HR or the PowerTech ELE4R?
Last, is there an advantage to the add on hub kit (e.g. Rubex) over the pressed in hub (e.g. Titan HR)? If so, are they fairly simple to install?
Appreciate all the help as I am trying to get this right the first time.

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Could I go down to 18p without overreving with a lighter load and if so, how does BayPro II and Apollo compare to Solas HR. I have some additional details if you have time to rescan this thread.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Could I go down to 18p without overreving with a lighter load and if so, how does BayPro II and Apollo compare to Solas HR. I have some additional details if you have time to rescan this thread.

Lets start over: Looking to replace the stock aluminum prop on my 2009 Four Winns H200 with Volvo 4.3L GXi SX drive which has 225 hp and a WOT range of 4400 to 4800 RPM. Current prop is a Volvo 14.3" diameter with 21 pitch. Max RPM at WOT is 4500 with speed of 45 MPH with 3 people on board). Length of boat is 19'8" and weight of boat is about 3000 # plus I have a wake tower and bimini top.

If you play by the numbers

21@4500
20@4700
19@4900
18@5100
18@5100....Now that's a perfect world...Just a opinion not a fact

18 down 200 for ss gets 4900...another 100 for the 4th blade thats 4800 with a 3 passenger load... is a good target actually very good target...Your not going to get a prop that will cover all of the bases its just not going to happen. On the flip side you should be able to pop the rev limiter when your alone and again that matters little how often do you run at wot and how often do you run between 20 and 40.

I have a similar boat It runs a 20 when im alone and a 18 under a load....It no longer matters to me to switch when im out alone or with a freind. With one diff i dont like running the 20 under big loads 4000 or 4200 rpm is just to low for my liking under high loads all day.

Stilletto
Solas HR titan

Appollo


Now how this will play out on the boat....Thats another story but it should be very close and youd be just splitting hairs over top overall performance

 

[elf62]

Re: Prop for Four Winns H200

Thanks for your assistance. Since I usually have 3 to 6 people in the boat, the 18p seems like the way to go. Like you say, I rarely run WOT and would be even less inclined to do so with only 2 people.
I guess that leaves me with Stiletto Bay Pro II, Solas HR Titan, or Apollo.
Stiletto seems to get the best reviews but if the 18p does not work out, I think the 20p will definitely be too big. Is the custom hub that it uses an advantage over the press in hub that Solas uses? The Solas is the only one with the press in hub which would be simpler to install. It also has the advantage of coming in 19p if the 18p does not work out (assuming that Solas would exchange it). If there is an advantage to the custom hub, I guess I could consider Solas Rubex. I guess there is no advantage in going with Apollo which also comes with a press in hub because they are all roughly the same price.
Any final thoughts you have would be appreciated.