Question for all our 208 LXi owners

[gprince]

What prop are you running? I have a 3 blade aluminium and interested in going to a 4 or 5 blade stainless.

 

[JimMH]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Gprince.
I'm running a 21 pitch aluminum. I had a 23 stainless on my last boat and I could tell the difference in performance from the aluminum to the Stainless. The stainless out performed the aluminum. From what I have read the four and five blade are more for holeshot rather than top end. If you are doing a lot of wakeboarding or skiing then I would go with the 4 or 5 blade. If you do decide on higher blade count let us know how well it worked.

 

[amerendino]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

IJust replaced my stock aluminum 14.3 X 21 with a Stilleto 14.5 X 21 Stainless. Much smoother and faster to plane. I went from 29mph @ 2900 rpm's to 34 mph @ 2900. Planing at 22mph now, which is 3 mph better than before. I rode in a 175 with a 3.0 liter (4 cyl.I/O). He could plane at 15mph. Now I want Smart Tabs, cuz' planing that slow, is very cool. Stilletto SS $384 (w/hub insert) off the internet. Same setup $479 (+tax) @ West Marine.

2006 208LXI, 5.0 GXI Volvo Penta, SX Drive

 

[gprince]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

IJust replaced my stock aluminum 14.3 X 21 with a Stilleto 14.5 X 21 Stainless. Much smoother and faster to plane. I went from 29mph @ 2900 rpm's to 34 mph @ 2900. Planing at 22mph now, which is 3 mph better than before. I rode in a 175 with a 3.0 liter (4 cyl.I/O). He could plane at 15mph. Now I want Smart Tabs, cuz' planing that slow, is very cool. Stilletto SS $384 (w/hub insert) off the internet. Same setup $479 (+tax) @ West Marine.

2006 208LXI, 5.0 GXI Volvo Penta, SX Drive

Thanks for the info!!! I assume you have a 3 blade, right?

 

[amerendino]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

3 Blade.... Yes

 

[marinebucaro]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

I just bought my Stiletto S.S. prop from www.dansdiscountprops.com. $275.00 with shipping, I ordered a 14.25 X 21 pitch. I cannot wait to put it on my lxi 228 I will let you no how she preforms. Best fathers day gift I can ask for

 

[gprince]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Thanks! Let me know how it goes!

G

 

[marinebucaro]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

I ran my stiletto S.S. prop noticed 14.5 X 21 pitch. Noticed better planning, but noticed my rpms will not go over 4000 rpms. I watched a video of me on the boat with the same people (my wife and three small kids) from last year with the aluminum pro on and noticed that I was at the same rpms at W.O.T. I checked the manual and it says at W.O.T should be at 4600- 5000 rpms. Just wondering what everybody else is running at. I have the volvo penta 5.0 gxi with 270 h.p. Any info would be great!

 

[amerendino]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

I noticed that this weekend. It's the first time i've had a chance to open her up. Top end has suffered, but i'm not sure that it matters to me. I don't ever go that fast and the bite of a 21 is like having a lower gear differential. I'll check the WOT rpms next time i'm out and let you know. I ordered some Smart Tabs that'll be here tomorrow. I drive in coastal waters and even though the 208 is better than most people around here expect, the rear end of the boat is heavy and I think the Smart Tabs are gonna' be super sweet for the rough water I run in. I'll post some pics when i get them on.

 

[marinebucaro]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Sounds good. I understand what your saying about suffering on top end, But in the manual it says normal W.O.T should be at 4600-5000 Rpms. Now because my kids a re 3,5,7, and I am on Midwestern lakes that are generally calm I dont just drive at full throttle all the time, lots of cruising for me I am just wondering if my boat is under performing and may have a mechanical issue.. keep me posted

 

[nootso]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Can I ask what your guy's WOT RPM and MPH was with the stock 14.3 X 21P aluminum prop? My Senza 206 with the stock 14.3 X 21P prop achieves 54 MPH
(GPS) at 4600RPM with a full tank of fuel and two adults onboard... I was thinking of going with the Stiletto Advantage II and going down to a 19P.. I'd like to get to the max WOT of 5000 RPM..

I'm assuming the lxi 208 is around the same weight as my Senza 206 (3150lb dry)...

Any input would be great...

2006 Larson Senza 206
5.0 GXI Volvo Penta 270HP, SX Drive

 

[dbaker15]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Hey Guys - The reason you can't get into the recommended WOT RPM is b/c your running too high of a pitch prop. I'm doing some research of my own and came across the following from Dan's Discount Props website. They can explain it better than I...

"The theory is for every one inch in pitch the RPM's will change 150 to 200. The higher the number pitch means lower R.P.M.'s, and the lower the number pitch means higher RPM's. So the quest is to get the right pitched prop that will get you in your recommended W.O.T. R.P.M. operating range"

I think the addtional weight of your stainless prop may also be responsible for some of your lost RPM.

Hope that helps...

2000 Larson 206 SEI
5.7 FL Volvo Penta

 

[nootso]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

I just ordered the Bay Pro II 4 blade 18P online... I'll post results as soon as I get it on the boat... If I'm not happy with it I have the option to exchange it... I purchased it from www.dansdiscountprops.com

 

[marinebucaro]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

I talked to Stiletto and they told me that due to the heavier weight of the S.S. prop and less flexing my Rpm's would go down. That much I knew. So I asked that since my wife got me this prop for fathers day and I was unhappy with losing top end speed and low rpms (4000) if they could replace it and give me a 3 blade with a 19 pitch. They were more than happy to send it out to me for a small fee ($50.00) and were very accommodating. Needless to say this happen right before I went out of town and towed my boat down from Chicago to KY. lake. The water is warm the beer is cold and even though I am running my old stock aluminum prop (4400 rpms) at least I have something to look forward to when I get home. I'll keep you posted.
2008 Larson 228 LXI
270 H.P.

 

[nootso]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Have a look at my results with a 18P four blade SS..

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2766394#post2766394

 

[marinebucaro]

Re: Question for all our 208 LXi owners

Ran my new S.S. stiletto 14X 19 pitch 3 blade prop today. UNBELIEVABLE! the bit in the turns was unreal it got on plain faster and I now run at 4800 rpms which I am very happy with. So for my boat a LXI 228 with 270 ponies I would recommend this. happy boating all!