Beating the dead horse...prop question

jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
Guys - I am currently running a 20P on my 280 B 3. I would love to get a little better cruising speed however. I get out of the hole great right now but I am thinking I could sacrifice that for better cruising speed. Need suggestions from people that have the swap so far. Should I go to a 22 or 24P set up? Just curious what others have done
Boat Name: Knot A Worry
2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3

Comments

  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have the 22p props on my boat. I am running around 40MPH GPS. My WOT is 4650RPM on the VVM app. I have considered going with the 4/3 setup, but I am out of boat bucks right now. I had my drive serviced, they put it back on, then found a leak in the oil line, so they had to pull it. When they did that, we changed both bellows, shift cable and the gimbal bearing. Ugh...
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have the 4x3 21 love them, it's been so long since being out on the boat, but I think my wot was 38 mph, cannot remember rpm. I had the stock 22's 3x3 hole shot? what is that. it was a dog. That's how I found this forum, trying to get the boat up on plane. You can drink a beer, and eat a sandwich, while waiting for the nose to come down. 
    Boat Name : 

  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    randy56 said:
    I have the 4x3 21 love them, it's been so long since being out on the boat, but I think my wot was 38 mph, cannot remember rpm. I had the stock 22's 3x3 hole shot? what is that. it was a dog. That's how I found this forum, trying to get the boat up on plane. You can drink a beer, and eat a sandwich, while waiting for the nose to come down. 
    so I've got 3x3 22p props on my 2004 270 with the 383 motor in it. I dont know the exact rpms, but I was at 38mph today, which was the absolute top of the top.  It also has no problem getting up on plane at all, even with 8 adults on it.   

    It's going to be expensive but I might have to experiment next year with 4x4 and 4x3's... I'd like a little higher cruising speed,  right now it's 28... 35 would be better
  • jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
    Right now I cruise 25-28 depending on load. I would love to be able to cruise 32-35 if possible
    Boat Name: Knot A Worry
    2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    28mph cruise burn little fuel
    35mph cruise burn lot of fuel
    33mph rpm 4100 in my 342 last friday 
    53 miles 100 gallons of fuel!!!
    Old fuel from last year needed to go but didn't think it would go that fast (the fuel)
    Can I have my 270 back please.lol
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2017
    Oh it was a prop question,go with 21 4x3 if I was you.
    Post edited by reneechris14 on
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @reneechris14 I use that excuse every spring, got to get that old gas out. lol
    Boat Name : 

  • jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
    @reneechris14 I'm pushing a 8,000 lb boat and you're pushing a 14,000 lb boat lol but I get it, its all relative. Believe it or not but at 25-28 mph my burn rate is between 1.5 and 1.8 gpm. 70% of my runs are short 20-30 minutes runs so gas usually lasts me longer than most LOL. Im just trying to figure out if I just go with a 22P or make the jump all the way to a 24P. Wish I could test drive them before I purchased LOL
    Boat Name: Knot A Worry
    2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    jme097 said:
    @reneechris14 I'm pushing a 8,000 lb boat and you're pushing a 14,000 lb boat lol but I get it, its all relative. Believe it or not but at 25-28 mph my burn rate is between 1.5 and 1.8 gpm. 70% of my runs are short 20-30 minutes runs so gas usually lasts me longer than most LOL. Im just trying to figure out if I just go with a 22P or make the jump all the way to a 24P. Wish I could test drive them before I purchased LOL
    Michigan wheel allows you to swap things out for free, but the shipping price must be paid by buyer, which must get $$$    I'm on a 22p 3 x 3 stock prop and not exactly happy with a cruising speed of 28 and a top of 38..   Would like it to be more like 31 and 41.. 
  • jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
    Michigan Wheel? Have a link to a website or contact information?
    Boat Name: Knot A Worry
    2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Merc used to have a prop program with marinas that would let you try out different props. The demo props were painted blue. I am not sure if they still have that program. If you lived closer, I would let you try mine since they aren't on the boat right now. Once I am in the water, which I hope is Saturday, I will get you some numbers on speed with the 22's.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think that 24'should will be to big and you will have trouble the hole shot.would like to see the 383 give the 24's a try.I put the 4x4 20pitch on my 270 hole shot was better but rpm was to high at cruise (28) 
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    so you think a 4x4 with a 24p on a 383 would be good? 
  • randy56randy56 Member Posts: 4,083 ✭✭✭✭✭
    To big, Al recommended, Not sure in this thread, when you go to 4 blade go down 1 pitch.
    Boat Name : 

  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If the 383 is 10% more hp,then 10% more prop right.but the math doesn't always work.I have also read 1 put down but don't think Hill Marine make a 23?
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    10% would also go from 28mph to 31mph with the same rpm.but that basis math not boat calculus 
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    10% would also go from 28mph to 31mph with the same rpm.but that basis math not boat calculus 
    that's exactly what I'd like! I was all out of boat money in March... figure next winter will be upgrading the props. 
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Long as you keep the hole shot would be great.
    My 270 would of never got on plane with 8 people on board. 
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,028 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here are some stats from my launch Saturday. I have a 280EC, 6.2MAG, B3 drive with 22 pitch props. I had 1/2 tank of gas. With one person on board, I was 20 seconds to plane and topped out at 41MPH GPS @ 4980 RPM.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes"
    Go Steelers!!!
  • jme097jme097 Member Posts: 1,224 ✭✭✭
    So I am actually between 27-30 anywhere between 3900-4100 rpm I guess. According to my mercmonitor, I get the best MPG right at 4000 rpm. I am on plan (guessing) somewhere between 10-15 seconds maybe?


    Boat Name: Knot A Worry
    2007 280 Rinker Express 6.2L B3
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