Prop pitch problem?

NorCal Boater said:
Also LR, several people including me, suggested you do the tune up, fuel filters, etc. before you started messing with the prop. You chose to go another direction. Why would you come on this forum and ask for help, not follow the advise and then get pissy because you have not listened. We are trying to help you....that's what we do on this forum.

At the risk of making you angrier do you know for certain the hub on the prop is not spinning?
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Not pissy at all but calling people you dont know anything about retarded is a bit childish, no?

Part of the feedback here was the prop so I took that as the first step. It has made a big difference on the bottom end power so that certainly was not a waste. My next step will be a tune up. Hoping to have it done this week and will report the results back.

Unless I am "retarded" my boat has a fuel/water seperator. Is that worth replacing also or does that not have any bearing on the problem I am having?

As far as the hub, it actually broke on me last summer and was replaced with a new one but I cant say I know for sure.
 
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allways change the filter , look at it good , poor it into somthing clear and look for water and dirt , a new filter every season if it comes out clean , more often if it has dirt or water in it.
 
just me said:
allways change the filter , look at it good , poor it into somthing clear and look for water and dirt , a new filter every season if it comes out clean , more often if it has dirt or water in it.
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Will do. Thank you.
 
LetsRock said:
Not pissy at all but calling people you dont know anything about retarded is a bit childish, no?

Part of the feedback here was the prop so I took that as the first step. It has made a big difference on the bottom end power so that certainly was not a waste. My next step will be a tune up. Hoping to have it done this week and will report the results back.

Unless I am "retarded" my boat has a fuel/water seperator. Is that worth replacing also or does that not have any bearing on the problem I am having?


As far as the hub, it actually broke on me last summer and was replaced with a new one but I cant say I know for sure.
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LR, the reason it was suggested to do the tune up first is that if the engine is not running right the prop you try to use may not be the right one. You may now do your tune up and find out there was nothing wrong with your prop. Or you may find out the money you just spent on the prop was wasted because you now need a different diameter, pitch, cup, no cup, etc.

The rule of thumb is always make sure the engine is running as close to perfect as possible and then address and prop problems. I also suggest doing a thorough tune up. That would include plugs, distributor cap, plug wires (if they have not been changed in a while) adjust timing, adjust carb, chect to see if you have a fuel filter on or at the carb and yes, change that fuel/water separator. You want to make sure your engine is running a max efficiency.

Let us know how you make out.
 
NorCal Boater said:
LR, the reason it was suggested to do the tune up first is that if the engine is not running right the prop you try to use may not be the right one. You may now do your tune up and find out there was nothing wrong with your prop. Or you may find out the money you just spent on the prop was wasted because you now need a different diameter, pitch, cup, no cup, etc.

The rule of thumb is always make sure the engine is running as close to perfect as possible and then address and prop problems. I also suggest doing a thorough tune up. That would include plugs, distributor cap, plug wires (if they have not been changed in a while) adjust timing, adjust carb, chect to see if you have a fuel filter on or at the carb and yes, change that fuel/water separator. You want to make sure your engine is running a max efficiency.

Let us know how you make out.
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Gotcha. The prop guy did say the cup was way off so I suspect it needed to be done anyway but I understand your point about the pitch.

This is my third season since doing the last tune up so I am guessing its about due. I will do the through tune up as suggested over the next few days, including changing the seperator and will report back.

Thanks for the feedback.
 
Could it just be your boat needs a diet. My boat has the correct size prop as put on by SeaRay. WOT on my boat should be 4200-4600 rpm. It actually tops out at 3900rpm. Then I start looking around. I see a full fuel tank, 100 gallons at 6 pounds a gallon, I don't let the tank get down to a half before refueling. I won't run out but that is 300 pounds extra weight vs a half tank. Ditto on the full water tank. A full fridge, extra coolers and even a spare case of beer and water in the storage locker that stuff adds up quick. Not to mention bottom paint holding back the tach. Also I cant remember the last time I took anything off the boat that was not in a garbage sack but I'm always putting some new thing on because I needed it last trip but couldn't find it even though I thought there was one on board. I'm pretty sure my extra 400 or so rpms are in the extra junk. It pops on plane and cruises in the mid 20's at 3100 rpm. Even with all this stuff and 3 extra people onboard. If you don't have mechanical problems you could have a stored gear problem.
 
Sorry for the long delay here but I finally have some time to post an update. While performing the tune up as suggested here my mechanic also performed a compression test along the way and wouldnt you know it, no compression at all from one of the cyclinders. The other seven registered 140/150 but one was zero. There was no noise whatsoever so we are guess that the valve might have been stuck and just not firing.


Engine is now apart and valves are being sent out to shop for reconditioning and will be reseated. Now I know this is a problem but would one cyclinder with no compression cause me to only get to 18 knots or should I be going a bit faster than that but of course not top speed?
 
I'm surprised that you can even get 18 knots out of it with one cylinder gone! Yes, it makes a huge difference. You will see (and feel) the difference when it's back together and running on all eight pots!
 
Cubee said:
I'm surprised that you can even get 18 knots out of it with one cylinder gone! Yes, it makes a huge difference. You will see (and feel) the difference when it's back together and running on all eight pots!
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I am very happy to hear that. I cant wait until she is running normal again. Its been a frustrating few weeks.
 
Im baaaaack.

So after about a month of this issue I thought I was in the clear..WRONG!!!

The entire valve job has been completed, along with a new intake since my old one was a rusted mess along with new risers.

Anyway, take the boat out Saturday looking to air her out. Well, noticed a big difference at the bottom end and she bounces right up on plane. I open the throttle more and more...15 knots, 18 knots, 21 knots, 21 knots, 21 knots 21 knots. Not a happy Captain. My mechanic came down yesterday and notice some"crud" in the carborator and noticed not a lot of fuel on the park plugs.

Would a "cruddy" carb lead to reduced speed?
 
Well..... I have to say that I am in the same boat...

I am running up to 4200 RPM and only getting 23 knots. I have a 15x16 four blade prop. The 220 should have a 14x19 3 blade. I have yet to try it to see if I can gain any speed. The current set up gets the boat up on plane quick and I can run at 3000 rpm. From 3000, 18 knots, to WOT getting me to 23 knots. New filters, good compression, fresh plugs / wires, etc......
 
H2ONUT said:
Well..... I have to say that I am in the same boat...

I am running up to 4200 RPM and only getting 23 knots. I have a 15x16 four blade prop. The 220 should have a 14x19 3 blade. I have yet to try it to see if I can gain any speed. The current set up gets the boat up on plane quick and I can run at 3000 rpm. From 3000, 18 knots, to WOT getting me to 23 knots. New filters, good compression, fresh plugs / wires, etc......
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So this is interesting. Do you think this is normal for our boats based on age? Others have posted in this thread that we should be at 35+ knots. At WOT I am at about 4400 RPM's. I just had my prop redone, full tune up and valve job. Any thoughts on my carb question?
 
In my experience with a bad carb you would see performance issues in all ranges.

I have had this boat since 06 and just lived with the performance. However, this past summer I got to put in some runs across Long Island Sound and had boats similar to mine walk away from me running the same RPM. I am convinced that this boat should be able to hit 35 to 38 mph at WOT.
 
H2ONUT said:
In my experience with a bad carb you would see performance issues in all ranges.

I have had this boat since 06 and just lived with the performance. However, this past summer I got to put in some runs across Long Island Sound and had boats similar to mine walk away from me running the same RPM. I am convinced that this boat should be able to hit 35 to 38 mph at WOT.
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I know you said you are living with it but have you ever had this looked into in the early stages? I have just spent a lot of money on this valve job and if I only increased about 5-6 knots I am going to be pissed!!
 
What size prop are you running?

Well, the valave job was needed, so don't be pissed about it.

Right now is the best mine has run in years. This weekend I hope to try the 14x19 prop and see what happens.
 
H2ONUT said:
What size prop are you running?

Well, the valave job was needed, so don't be pissed about it.

Right now is the best mine has run in years. This weekend I hope to try the 14x19 prop and see what happens.
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Not sure of my prop size but the "prop guy" said it was the right one for my boat. I will see if I can find out the size.
 
LOL.... I was told the 15x16 4 blade was correct by a prop guy too... However after investigating, it should have a 14x19 3 blade.
 
Turns out there was stuff floating in the bowl and blocking the main jet. Should be back on tonight...fingers crossed!!!
 
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