Amberjack01
Member
Original owner of a 2001 AJ: 5.0 BIII 240 HP: 2.20 drives and 3/3 22 pitch from the factory. Lost an engine at the end of last season so explored re power options - went with new Merc 383 strokes: a 480 hp to 700 hp upgrade. Knew a prop change was in order so managed to borrow a set of 3/3 24 pitch and a set of 4/3 26 pitch. Sea trialed both on a flat calm day ( unusual south of Cape Cod) and liked the feel of the 3/3 24s better. Overall impressions from the sea trail: quicker out of the hole and likes to run fast. Sea trialed with full fuel / water and 3 people on board. Didn't hit the limiter if I kept the trim where I usually do. Of course trimming out enough would always get you into the limiter on this boat. Ultimately, since we rarely get flat calm days and need to slow way down when it kicks up, I ordered a set of 4/3 24s thinking I would get the performance of the 24s with better ability to stay on plane at lower speeds. Have been out twice with the new setup in more typical conditions for around here (2-3 foot seas, 10-15 knot winds) and the boat seems to like 2 speeds: slow and way too fast. Lots of cavitation from 2800-3200 rpm trying to hold plane and when it gets moving enough to hook up it's off to the races. I'm assuming I've just got too much HP/torque for the 24s and need to bump up in pitch some more. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. My lesson so far: should have sea trialed props on a crappy day!
