Propeller Advise

[fishfeeder]

I have a 2004 Evinrude ficht 200HP on my Vagabond 6.2, I am looking for advise on a better propeller for offshore work.. The engine height looks fine, Cav plate just above the water at cruise speed.

At the moment:-
1. Max rpm 5200 light (should be closer to 5800 loaded)
2. Popeller at the moment is a SS 14 1/2 x 20 (unknown brand)
3. 4000rpm Iam going 53km/h
4. 5200rpm Iam going 74km/h (light load)
5. The motor cavitates or brakes loose when it gets rough even with motor trimed in
6. There is a lot of burnt and what looks like unburnt oil on the leg of motor.
7. I think its a bit worse after installing Trim Tabs.
8. I think the motor is using 2stroke oil approx 3L for 130L of fuel. I think this is becasue the motor is over propped ??

I am going to call Solas and have a talk to them, but would like thoughts and ideas from you guys before I call them..

Cheers
Brett

[FishHunter]

Evinrude 150hp. I went from a Viper 3 blade to a Solas 4 blade in their recomended size and its spot on. Gets on the plane quicker, will plane at a slower speed and boat is much more responsive to trim.

[Horse]

It sounds like you are going to be looking at a dropping pitch to about 17" on those figures

[Jabba_]

A 15" Rebel or 15" cyclone will bring your rpm's up to the idea range.
You are correct about your excessive oil consumption, it does increase when more load is put on the motor. Over propped is one way to load the motor.
Solas make an identical prop to the Rebel and a similar prop to the cyclone.

[Smithy]

Yep overpropped so when you get your new prop and you get your WOT rpms correct and you still have cavitation you might be able to drop it hole. If the water is level with the cav plate and you are achieving your WOT rpms and getting about half a trim gauge worth of trim that should be a good setup.

[Muddy Toes]

Not trying to hijack your thread Brett but will there be a reduction in top speed if he drops down a few inches to a 17 or 15?Sure the WOT RPM will increase but is there much of a speed loss?Only reason I ask is because I'm repropping my motor this week as I too only get 5300rpm.

[gofishin]

As the others have said. 15 – 17” pitch depending on diameter and # of blades. Try whatever props you can get your hands on (3& 4 blds) before lowering your motor. A 4bld will ‘generally’ allow you to run a higher donk, and generallyprovide better grip – plus there are other benefits ‘normally’.

Make sure SOLAS give you a 14 ¼ x 17 4bldTorquemaster to try (might be called something else now). Normally a very good match for 6.2m &200hp, even bigger boats with more HP, but may possibly be a little too big asI have found them to be tall in my testing (i.e. slightly bigger than 17”pitch). A SOLAS 14 1/8 x 18 HR Titan will be too big. They weren’t made in16p a few yrs ago but maybe are now. Steve (SOLAS) will definitely have several options for you to try in both 3's and 4's.

The best prop for grip I have found for higher motor mounting is a REV 4. Phenomenal grip, acts a bit more like a 3bld than a 4 (different blade design/rake/angle, lesstransom lift than other 4’s), only 14 5/8 diam but very long blades hence havea lot of blade area/prop torque to contend with too. May possibly be too much prop for the Ficht,so really a Plan B or C test on a rainy day etc. Hard to get your hands on 2nd hand but a 15” should suit you better than a 17”. They occasionally pop up on evilBay around this size for between 280 – 320, sometimes higher.
Cheers
Brendon

[FishHunter]

Speed will probbably be similar just at a higher rpm.
Not sure what the gear ratio is on that 200hp motor but I had a 14 3/4 x17 3 blade on my 150 and went to a 14 1/2 x19 4 blade. WOT Rpm dropped from 5800 to 5500 and speed went from 60 or so km/h to 70km/h. RPm range on mine is 5000 to 5500rpm and thats on a 5.5m Reef Ranger. Maybe check that butterflys are fully open at full throttle as well.

[johncar]

I'd be thinking 4 blade Solas 17" for starters, I was very happy with the performance of mine but dropped to a 15" later which was even better but that was on a 150HP 4 stoke Yammie, 6.25 Tournament. The 17" should be fine with your extra HP. The engine height is pretty critical too so you get the best out of the prop. Mine was rock solid and no bad behaviour and it would have to be almost half out of the water before it would start to cavitate.
But every boat is different and that is the good thing with dealing with Solas, they don't leave you high and dry if the 1st choice isn't right. They seem very helpful.
Going through the process now with my 250 Suzi, standard 3 blade is quite good but I am seeing if I can squeeze any more cruising performance out of it. 1st 4 blade was not right, about to try a smaller one with extra cupping, see how it goes once I can get back on the water .

[rowanda]

yep call Solas....worst thing that can happen is you swap it for another till you get it right. Thats the good thing about Solas is they will work with you and keep swapping till you get what you need...give them a call you won't be disappointed

[fishfeeder]

Thanks everyone for the information and ideas to put to Solas..

Cheers
Brett

[fishfeeder]

OK called Solas and there sending me a SS 4 blade 14 1/8 x 18

After explaining what I am getting now and what I am after they think that prop should give me a lot better figures and should raise my revs by 700rpm
which should help when loaded with extra fuel and supplies for longer trips offshore.

Will find out on the weekend out from Mooloolaba if the weather play nice for a change..

Cheers

[fishfeeder]

After my last post, I received a call saying they never had a 14 1/8 x 18 there so they were going to Cup a 17 4 blade for me to try....

Well it turned up today so I will fit it up tonight to make sure it all fits right...
They will exchange it if needed after I give it ago on the weekend.

Hows that for service !!

Cheers
Brett

[hino310]

Hi Brett

I have a genuine and brand new 15 1/2 x17 Rebel prop to suit your engine. These props were designed by BRP to suit the big block DI motors like yours, and ETECS to give good hole shot (no slip because of the large blade area) and also mid range economy offshore. As stated in a previous reply i feel the 15 pitch will be too low. The 17" should be spot on , but you may even spin a 19" Rebel. If you would like to try the 17, Pm me and i will send it up to you.

Cheers Hino.

[fishfeeder]

Thanks Hino for the offer and I will let you know how I go.

Cheers
Brett