Just ordered my Hill Marine 4x4 Props!!!

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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @Dream_Inn , on the bravo 3 there’s no locking ring, Just the tapered nut.
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭

    2008 330EC
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,671 mod
    Interesting.  I have B-2 drives, so they have locking nut.  I guess I never took off my props on my 310 (that had B-3 drives).

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • bella-vitabella-vita Member Posts: 411 ✭✭✭
    Their is nylon on the nut to stop it from coming loose
    2002 Rinker FV 342
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  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,507 admin
    That is a locking nut. Your only supposed to use it once. Believe it or not that will hold better than the nylon. Ask me how I know............ We use those on our new trains.
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    raybo3 said:
    That is a locking nut. Your only supposed to use it once. Believe it or not that will hold better than the nylon. Ask me how I know............ We use those on our new trains.
    I knew you liked Chinese nuts Ray! LMAO
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    No locking key / cotter pin for the B-III props. 

    It is worth consideration to add the prop anodes though. https://www.boatzincs.com/MERProp-Nut-D-mag.html


    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,763 mod
    Most of you already saw this discussion about aligning propellers.  Just posting the link here for completeness.  

    https://rinkerboats.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/132535#Comment_132535
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  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,507 admin
    Handymans342 said:
    raybo3 said:
    That is a locking nut. Your only supposed to use it once. Believe it or not that will hold better than the nylon. Ask me how I know............ We use those on our new trains.
    I knew you liked Chinese nuts Ray! LMAO
    Yeah in Chicken with cashews..............LOL
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    LOL
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 2020
    raybo3 said:
    That is a locking nut. Your only supposed to use it once. Believe it or not that will hold better than the nylon. Ask me how I know............ We use those on our new trains.
    I installed two new nuts because I didn’t like the way the old ones looked. They were probably original!
    2008 330EC
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  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,507 admin
    @aero3113 Not supposed to reuse those. One and done. 
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yea, who knows if the previous owner replaced them. From the looks of them, I would say no.
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Found some pics!



    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    During my bay test today, I can say that these props are worth the money. The boat shot out of the water with ease, no struggling at all. It was just myself, full fuel and full waste (I put treatment in to clean it out). The engines also reached their max RPM’s @ 5000. Very happy with them.
    2008 330EC
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,671 mod
    Oh yeah, I still love my hill marine props!!!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    aero3113 said:
    During my bay test today, I can say that these props are worth the money. The boat shot out of the water with ease, no struggling at all. It was just myself, full fuel and full waste (I put treatment in to clean it out). The engines also reached their max RPM’s @ 5000. Very happy with them.
    The change in loudness was also apparent for me... couldn't believe how you could "hear" that the motor was working less. 
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, has definitely made the engines work less lowered the noise.
    2008 330EC
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  • JimGuy341JimGuy341 Member Posts: 105 ✭✭
    Looking forward to getting mine installed.
    2008 350 EC
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  • Autodog61Autodog61 Member Posts: 92 ✭✭

    Ok, so I need some input from you all.  I am about to spend some coin on two sets of props for my Bravo IIIs and considering the Mercury Marine 4x3 XR's or Hill Marine 4x4. 

    Background - I have 2002 342.  6.2L MX engines (377 C.I not sure the HP - Likely 260-275?).  Last March I replaced both Bravo III outdrives and added additional thru-hull cooling.  After the drive replacements ran the boat several times with typical performance (meaning took 15-25 seconds to reach plane at what 3800-4000 RPM).  Acceptable in my book.  Boat sat over 2019 winter into spring 2020 without being moved much (likely bottom growth - In Lake Washington Seattle area -fresh water).  Took the boat out first time last week and was quite a bit longer to get on plane and it wouldn't go over 4,000 RPM until I was on plane for quite a while.  Definitely different.  I am attributing this to bottom growth.  I did have 100 hr service done a moth ago.  Both engines have 165-180 compression all around and only 260 hrs. 

    First thing to do -Pull out and have bottom cleaned.  Re-float and see about performance improvement.  Guessing there will be some but who knows .

    Second thing.  I currently have OEM 24 pitch props.  I am looking at the Hill Marine 4 blade 20's you all mention or the Mercury Marine XR's 4x3


    https://www.mercuryracing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2569-1116_Bravo_Three_XR_SS_LR.pdf

    Probably 22's.  Maybe 20's like you all not. 

    All the discussion above seems to be about a 270.  I want recommendation for 342.  I also want to see about getting some stern lift to reduce or eliminate? the wash over the transom that floods the hatch seam and get6s into the bilge.  Although this doesn't create too much concern for me, it does irritate me to no end that this happens. 

    So, lets here your thoughts!


    Holy Smokes, don't forget the bilge plug!
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2020
    I have an ‘08 330 and have the Hill 4X4 20P with Bravo III’s and 5.7 MPI. I want to say that my time to plane is less than 5 seconds and barely have any bow rise. The stern of the boat pops up and we’re off!
    2008 330EC
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was out running yesterday, really starting to wonder if 4x4 22p or 24p would be more appropriate.  

    Hill told me to go down one pitch, thinking that was a mistake.. might end up swapping them in the future. 
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭✭
    @Autodog61 i have an 03 342. Different engines though. I have the 350 mpi. 300hp each. I went from stock 24p 3 blade props to 22p 4 blade hill props.  Look at both how long it takes to get on plane and your max rpm at wot. If the pitch is wrong you will over rev the engine. My wot now is 4300 and i can get to 40mph in the right conditions. 
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • J3ffJ3ff Member Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭✭✭
    davidbrooks said:
    @Autodog61 i have an 03 342. Different engines though. I have the 350 mpi. 300hp each. I went from stock 24p 3 blade props to 22p 4 blade hill props.  Look at both how long it takes to get on plane and your max rpm at wot. If the pitch is wrong you will over rev the engine. My wot now is 4300 and i can get to 40mph in the right conditions. 
    This is why I think I'm under propped. I was up around 5000 rpm yesterday (max is 5200) and was barely breaking 35/36.. Yet you are at 4300 doing 40.. hmm
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @davidbrooks , shouldn’t your WOT be 5000 RPM’s? 
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Here’s a spec sheet for some info.

    https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/tech-specs/mercruiser-v8-marine-engines-specifications
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 7,763 mod
    Autodog61 said:

    ...  I also want to see about getting some stern lift to reduce or eliminate? the wash over the transom that floods the hatch seam and get6s into the bilge.  ...

    Do you mean when you come down off plane?  I have to go to half throttle and then wait for the boat to settle before taking off the rest of the throttle.  If I just cut the throttle to idle, the stern wave will try to swamp the transom.  
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  • davidbrooksdavidbrooks Member Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭✭
    @aero3113 in a perfect world i would like to get a few more rpms at wot but i also dont 100 percent trust the readings on the analog guages. I would need to put a scan tool on it for anything accurate.
    It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!
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  • Autodog61Autodog61 Member Posts: 92 ✭✭

    Well, regarding the swamping of the transom, it is less swamping if you come off slow like you point out LaRea but it still comes up over the hatch seam just not as bad.  I never cut from on plane to idle.  Its always a slow deceleration.  Area3113 thanks for the engine specs.  I didn't know the 6.2L threw out 320 HP.  That makes a difference.  I think with the extra HP (260 to 320 HP) the Hill 22 Pitch 4 blades just might be the ticket. 

    Regarding the RPM at WOT - Its always been a mystery to me the "when" the WOT RPM is?  I have had boats with prop slip hit the WOT near the top of the Plane out, This 342 of Mine slow rolls out of the hole to 3700RPM quick and then takes some time to hit 4200RPM.  Then If you leave the throttles pegged, they'll slowly get to maybe 4500 RPM.  Never seen them hit over that.  Then again, I always cut back at 43-4500 because I baby the engines and there's really no reason or benefit to go over this.  However, again, the specs provided do show the 6.2L rev a little higher so maybe 4700 RPM may not be a bad "new max" target.  I figure my issue right now is the 24 Pitch OEM props and the growth on the hull.  Last three years I didn't have any issue hitting 4200 on the way out of the hole and was quicker. 

    So, they clean the bottom next week.  I will report back on how that improved the hole shot.  Then, a few weeks for new props to get here and installed, and I will report back on that. 

    So no one has experience with the Bravo III XR 4x3's then? 




    Holy Smokes, don't forget the bilge plug!
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,071 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @Autodog61 , it seems like more people go with 4x4 than 4x3 . That spec sheet was an easy way for you to gain 60 hp!! 👍
    2008 330EC
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