under propped need advice

powderhombre

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
35
here is what we know:17' bowrider, OMC 3.8liter V-6 Stringer 800/ 1:77:1 ratio. 15 1/5 X 15 alumunum prop manuf. recommended WOT range is 4200-4600 friend was operating the helm started to see "what she got" we were clipping along at 30mph on the gps when I looked at the Tach and saw it was pegged at 6000 rpm ( not good) I quickly told him to back out of it, which he did, so no obvious damage to engine. we were only at that rpm for 15 -20 seconds or so.. so question is.. should I try a prop of the same dia. or at least 15" and a 21"p if each inch of pitch will increase/lower rpm by 200rpm? boat was at 9000' above sea level and engine running good.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,863
Re: under propped need advice

Ayuh,... Forget about the diameter, it'll take care of itself,...
Go Up in Pitch...
 

powderhombre

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
35
Re: under propped need advice

so how much? someone recommended a 15x17. I'm I correct in the 200 rpm's per 2" prop change? or was it 400 rpm's per 2" change?
 

hwsiii

Commander
Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
2,639
Re: under propped need advice

Powder, you are at 9,000' altitude, which theoretically means you have a HP loss of about 30% below normal. Then you are able to reach 6,000 RPM, this may be very true, but there is not enough information to know. If you will fill this out I will help you as much as I can.

Iboats Boat and Motor Info

1. Year, make and model of boat
2. Length, width and base weight of boat, look for boat decal on back of boat
2a.What is the maximum recommended HP for your boat
3. Number of people and gallons of gas normally on boat
4. What do you use the boat for
5. Is it a Deep Vee and if so how many degrees of deadrise
6. Year, make. manufacturer and model of motor
7. HP and gear ratio of motor IMPORTANT
If you don?t know the ratio, you need to pull the plugs out and put a piece of tape across the prop and the lower unit and then cut it between the prop and the housing then do the same thing on the flywheel and turn the motor until the tape lines up with each other on the prop, it is easier if two people do this, so one can watch the prop while the other counts the revolutions of the motor
8. Manufacturer?s recommended Wide Open Throttle (WOT) range
9. Anti-ventilation Plate height above keel of boat if it is an outboard in inches, use a board under the keel and stiking out to the anti ventilation plate for a referene
10. Is it a bass boat or does it have a pad bottom
11. Does it have a hydrafoil, dolefin or trim tabs
12. Make, model, diameter, pitch, number of blades and whether SS or aluminum prop
13. WOT RPM and speed from your current prop and how much gas and how many people were in the boat for the test data and is the speed by GPS. Make sure you trim the prop up until it starts ventilating and then just trim in until it quits ventilating. If you do not have a tach you can buy a digital tachometer and hour meter here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tacho...Q5fAccessories
RPM _________ Speed ______ GPS ______ No. of people ______ Gal. Gas ________
14. Are you at sea level or a higher elevation, give us the elevation in feet
15. Has your motor been tuned up lately and have you checked that the carburetor butterfly is opening all the way, checked compression, and looked at the plugs and checked spark as well as timing and advance, all of the foregoing could be the reason your prop is not attaining full RPM
16. How long has this prop been on the boat and why, at this time, do you think it is the wrong prop
17. Does the prop show any damage that you can see
18. What problems are you trying to cure or what are you looking for the boat to do that it is not doing the way you think it should or to your expectations
19. If you are trying to attain a better cruising speed and fuel savings or trying to attain a faster speed I will want you to take your boat and run it with 1 or 2 people and give me the RPM and speed readings starting at 3,000 RPM in 500 RPM increments all the way to WOT.

REMEMBER, The numbers I give you will be NO better than the information you give me

The only thing I ask of you is to come back and give me a report of WOT RPM and speed for my database.



H
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: under propped need advice

H will get you straightened out.As he suggested you may have a tach issue.
Fill out the form and H will pin it down.May be as simple as the selector switch on the back of tach is set wrong.
Its not likely your running 1400 over the rating at that elevation with
a 17" prop.
 

Tacklewasher

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
1,588
Re: under propped need advice

6000 rpm with a 1.77 gear ratio and 15p prop gives a theo speed of 48mph. You would have a slip of 37.5%

Your tach is wrong or you have some serious slipping, maybe a spun hub.
 

bigskiohio

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
882
Re: under propped need advice

you should have at least 17 pitch and probably 19. i would go 19 for all around . your tach is wrong
 

Knightgang

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
1,428
Re: under propped need advice

Where do you boat at almost 2 miles above Sea Level...

This is why it is important to list a general location in your profile...
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: under propped need advice

Where do you boat at almost 2 miles above Sea Level...

This is why it is important to list a general location in your profile...

He mentioned his elevation in the last line of his post.
I'm surprised I didn't miss it.
 

bigskiohio

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2008
Messages
882
Re: under propped need advice

where do you boat at 9000' ? Hopefully your motor is setup for that if not you will have problems sooner or later. Less hp but 15 pitch sounds low.
 
Top