Speed

Phil Nowack

Phil Nowack

Well-known member
Got the new SS prop this week... Hopefully I get out this weekend and can see how it works!!!! slightly larger diameter, change of pitch, and SS vs AL... I do expect to alter the performance... at least a littel. Either way it will last longer than the AL prop that was new last year...










The Old AL prop sitting on top of the new one...


 
If you put flame decals on your boat it is an instant 10 hp gain. Lol

Nice prop you should be happy with some gains
 
I've had such dismal performance with the stock prop on my boat that perhaps a fancy prop like yours is the answer......


performance%20problem_zps6kihznrw.jpg



think it might help?....


Steve
 
I have always stayed away from stainless props because of their added strength. I have heard of folks using these and breaking the gear train of the motor.
 
I say that is a myth. If you hit something hard enough that you're wrecking your lower unit with the stainless prop you're probably hitting something hard enough to wreck your lower unit anyway. I'll tell you running the Mississippi River, if you spend any time on it you'll wear an aluminum prop out in a year just because of all of the sand and silt going down it and how soft the props are if you hit a a stick. Most people I see run stainless steel props and I have always ran stainless steel props with no issues.
 
Last edited:
I've heard the same AL vs SS prop debate before, but here's my limited experience. I thoroughly bent the prop shaft on a 20 hp with an aluminum prop when I hit a small log (3" dia) in the river. Thankfully I was able to limp back to the ramp. The softer prop didn't save me. When you are turning wide open torque, I'd imagine the rubber hub slipping is all that would save you.
 
So what motor you running it on? I've played with a few props but I've found the Yamaha ss to be hard to beat on my Bankes. I have a 21 pitch for speed and a 19 pitch for duck hunting loads. I've got a 4 blade semi cleaver on my tunnel boat to lift the aft end but I'd be hard pressed to say it's better that the stock Yamaha aluminum prop.
 
It is a 1989 Yamaha Pro 50. The aluminum prop is a 11 1/8x 13. The SS is a 11 1/4 x 14. Kodi, me, and gear topped out at 34.5 mph with the aluminum prop....
 
Phil, only testing will tell. I'm wondering if you'll find a difference in load lifting. I struggled to get on plane with 1000 lbs of lard asses with 21 pitch but no issue with 19 pitch. Top end with 21 pitch is around 44 mph empty and 41 with 19 pitch. 19 foot Bankes with 115 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. You really don't need to go that fast in a duckboats.
 
FLYING!!!! I would love to hit 40mph in my 17' Scaup! Obviously the 19' Banks is a lot heavier... but geez that is with a 115!!! I can squeak out 31 on my 19'3" Honker, out of my 60hp Yamaha.

You are right. you don't need to go that fast in a Duck boat... but.. A) the few times the water is flat enough to open it up, it is nice to be able to.. B) If you need to get out of dodge, or need to have the power to keep the bow up in heavy seas.... C) I like to go fast!!!! :)
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica][/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]It is a 1989 Yamaha Pro 50. The aluminum prop is a 11 1/8x 13. The SS is a 11 1/4 x 14. Kodi, me, and gear topped out at 34.5 mph with the aluminum prop.... [/font]
Phil,
Click to expand...


What RPM's are you running at WOT? (with the aluminum prop) I suspect you may not be happy with your new SS prop. Yo are going up in both diameter and pitch with the stainless prop. The new prop will pull harder (more load on the engine) than your old prop did. Unless you had extra HP and could bump the rev limiter with ease while using your old prop, the new one may be too much.

Just for comparison, My fishing boat is a 16ft. Crestliner
tiller powered with a 60HP four stroke Mercury. I can get get 31/32
MPH alone and 28/29 with two guys loaded with fishing gear. I can't
recall the specs on my prop but I know my engine won't pull more pitch.
I have no idea what the total weight of my rig is and/or how that might
compare to your hunting boat.
 
No worries there Dave. WOT is rated at 4500-5500. I am at 5200 on the AL prop. Also, according to my experts, when going from AL to SS you change pitch due to lack of flex in the prop.
 
I have just a couple thoughts.
I have been using stainless props for the last 15 years or so. Overall costs me less than the aluminum that I had to replace or have repaired nearly very season.
I have a Yamaha black stainless prop that is missing a blade that will prove that you can break a stainless prop and not destroy the gearcase, at least on a 115 Yamaha.
Last, PowerTech makes a semi cleaver stern lifting prop that put that Original Yamaha Black Stainless prop to shame, for less $$$$$.
 
Around 6 PM on Labor Day I got the boat out. I was surprised how empty the river was....

I am going back to the 13 (installed last night). SS of course. I lost 3 MPH on the top end and was a sluggish pig coming out of the hole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSO4Eg7N4Sk
 
Last edited:
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]
I lost 3 MPH on the top end and was a sluggish pig coming out of the hole.
Click to expand...


Phil,

I'll have to say that I am not surprised the hear the results. I suspected that the new prop might be more than your motor wanted to turn.

How high is the Miss right now? My local river is running bank full plus. Just a ripple in the surface of the water, where it runs over the dam in town. I might have to invite myself to hop in your boat for a hunt or two, I haven't even begun to do anything towards duck hunting this year yet. First thing would be to pick up a duck stamp. :>)
[/font]
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top