variable pitch prop

[lahnlubba]

has anyone tried these variable pitch props? are they what they are made out to be?? really the best of both worlds??

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: variable pitch prop

I asked this question some time ago myself. I concluded that unless I had a boat already going 50+ miles an hour with a fixed high-pitched prop, it wouldn't yank me out of the water any faster or give me a higher top end. If you have a slower boat with a faster pitched prop, you will not benefit as much from this technology.<br /><br />Also, if you have money to blow (1000.00 US) on such a device, be ready to tinker and replace it when it breaks or malfunctions for even more $$$$

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: variable pitch prop

ask Bondo.. He has got a couple and swears by them... <br /><br />Bondo where are you????<br /><br />T

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: variable pitch prop

It depends on which ones you are talking about. The torque shift props get rave reviews. The ProPulse Props on the other hand are PURE JUNK (see reviews at westmarine.com) <br /><br />http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=47168

 

[LJ1]

Re: variable pitch prop

I had a torque shift on a four winns with 305 chevy and omc outdrive. Huge difference. Sold boat and buyers "expert" said they didn't work so I did not throw in on deal. Idiot. I beleive it starts at about an 11 pitch and the stops can be set anywhere up to 27. Once set, I never had to adjust. It's still in my garage as I now have gone inboard. Interested?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

The Torque Shift works best if you want a tremendous, head-whipping, hole shot. My kids load up the boat with 8 friends and pull two or three tubes. Torque Shift handles this with no problem. Yes, I have enough horsepower in my 19-foot boat to do it anyway, but it was still sluggish out of the hole with a load of people, and was bogging down the motor more than I like.<br /><br />With the shifting prop, boat is on plane at cruising speed with tubes or skiiers in about 4 seconds.<br /><br />Top end is about the same---60 to 61 mph.<br /><br />Search the forum for our detailed discussion ove the past two months.<br /><br />You can get one on ebay for about $400, but you need to do your homework on your application.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

Hey, Tallman---did you settle on a prop for your rig?

 

[lahnlubba]

Re: variable pitch prop

LJ1 i'm interested, but,.. the old omc outdrive that is on my sea ray has a simple slip on prop, it has a pin thru it , some people call it a shear pin,. but the bloody thing does not shear, as i can attest with 1 demolished prop,.. <br />boat is quite heavy, and with the family on board, you have to play with the trim tabs to get it up,

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

Lahnlubba----if you have the old OMC stringer drive, I don't think the Torque-shift will work. They are designed for newer drive shaft with splines (grooves) on the end. You might call Jim Sullivan at Land and Sea and discuss with him----he was very helpful in setting up my prop.

 

[lahnlubba]

Re: variable pitch prop

cheers DD these old stringers are a pain,..i have a pal who owns a nachine shop,.. he says get 1 we'll make it fit, (sure pal it's not your money we're playin with,...)

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

Lahnlub---you probably want the one LJ has----starts at 11 pitch and shifts to 26. Mine is the next size up---starts at 14 and shifts to 32. There is a cam in each blade which determines at what RPM the shifting starts.<br /><br />I had some problems with the cams and springs, but all works well now. You can find details by searchin on Torque-Shift on the forum here.<br /><br />How much horsepower are you running and what rpm are you pushing to the prop shaft? The prop shaft itself can't spin at more than 3000 rpm or the Torque-Shift will come apart.

 

[lahnlubba]

Re: variable pitch prop

ddboater <br />Member # 17543 writes,...<br /><br />How much horsepower are you running and what rpm are you pushing to the prop shaft? The prop shaft itself can't spin at more than 3000 rpm or the Torque-Shift will come apart.<br /><br />i don't know for sure,. the motor is a 350 chev, rated at 225hp (100 of em are sleeping )<br />i'm not sure of the ratio of the leg, and the motor is all done at about 4000rpm,.. <br />(anemic old lump)

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

Lahnlub----you should be good to go if you can get one of these to fit your shaft----the heavier the boat, the better these things work. There is one on ebay right now under boats, parts, propellers. Good luck!<br /><br />PS---I just put the rpm limit in there because a lot of people wonder why these props are not used on high horsepower rigs.

 

[svenster2]

Re: variable pitch prop

How do you find the right size? are there many sizes? I have a mercruiser 305/Alpha I outdrive in my 1988 Chaparral 1900SX Bowrider.<br /><br />Would this be a good thing to help me when I'm loaded up with 4 adults 2-3 children and 2 coolers?

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: variable pitch prop

Svenster----the low end pulling power is where I see the difference between my standard fixed blade and the Torque-Shift.<br /><br />Go to the Land & Sea web site---they have charts there to point you in the right direction. They basically have two hubs with many different blade, cam and spring combinations. They also show test data on different horsepower and boat size/weight combinations.