O.K., I know that I've been really wishy-washy about props.

I've got 2 props on hand, which have NOT been tested yet, and another on order.

The first prop that I bought (cheap) is a 66" wooden 2 blade, adjustable pitch GSC Tech 2, made in Canada.

It's probably not a bad choice, but when I bought it, it was "just to have something to get started with". It IS a beautiful prop, in pristine condition, and has been a nice wall hanger in the shop. :&&:

Then I came across a 68" 3 blade Power Fin on EBAY. It was priced right, so I just could not resist buying it. ;bawl; It's not hanging on the wall. It's back in it's shipping box. :&&:

But, since my progress has been SO slow, (for various excuses) ;bawl; I've had time to do more investigation, and determined that a 67" 2 blade Whirl Wind Mini Prop is what I really wanted / needed. So that one has been ordered. I didn't get it cheap, I paid full price. ;bawl; But I DO think that's what I'd be happier with in the long run.

I sure hope that I get this boat finished soon, or I may end up with a shop FULL of props. :&&: :&&: :&&:

Does anyone know how to get in touch with "Props Anonymous"? I may need professional help.... ;rasta;

Thanks,

Duane

Duane,

I don't have a phone number for PA handy, however if you ever get them sorted out and find the one that works best on your boat, I think I can find wall space over my computer to store one of the rejects. :&&: :&&:

I think the WW will work good for you. I had a 72" stump puller on my big boat. I liked it, and it was quiet, but just not enough push for a 15' Airgator. I ended up building up another engine for it, and I went to a three blade 78" stump puller. That did the job good.

Dave

Just to show you what kinda guy I am Duane, I am offering you storage place here if you run out of room there. ;stir;

Papee, and Buster,

I just knew that this forum was filled with philanthropists, always willing to help out a guy in times of trouble. ;thumb;

Thanks,

Duane

Hey guys,

The 67" Whirl Wind Mini Prop showed up today. ;thumb;

I put it on to test for clearance, with the pitch set really high.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/TullieD/DSCN0026.jpg

The GOOD news is that it does have plenty of clearance, even when set to a high pitch.

I think I'll like it. Here's the GSC prop for comparison.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/TullieD/DSCN1370.jpg

The WW prop is made differently, wider, and with more twist to the blades. It appears, (at least to my feeble mind) like it'll be a much better choice.

Now I just need to get off of my butt, and get all of those other things done. ;bawl;

One of my excuses has been that I was concerned about prop clearance. I don't have that excuse any more.

Duane

did you spin it up with high pitch?

brlcla,

:&&: :&&: :&&:

Naw, I didn't. I've got a few things to do before I run it again. Like finishing the cage, etc. It was just a test fit. ;bawl;

One of the reasons / excuses that I've had for my SLOW progress was my concern about prop clearance when I went to THE prop that I intended to use.

Maybe soon. Nah, that's a lie. I should say, maybe in the near future. ;garfield;

So, how's your boat going?

Thanks,

Duane

switching engines.... generac will be here tues/wed... then it goes in for some HP goodies.... hopefully will have a motor pushing 70-75 HP.... be 20 lbs lighter than the briggs and much much more reliable do to the way generac builds there engines....

Duane,

That WW looks different than it does on their website! What does the blade measure at the widest point?

Dave

if i can remember i think its 5-6 in at the widest...

Duane,

That WW looks different than it does on their website! What does the blade measure at the widest point?

Dave

Buster,

Yeah, it does look different from their website and advertising pictures. I think it's mostly a camera angle thing. Their ads make it look like it has a uniform pitch from hub to tip. In reality, it's got much more pitch near the hub than it does at the tip. You just can't see that in a frontal photo.

At the widest point, it measures 6 1/2".

Duane

Duane,

I'll bet that prop will work out good for you. If I could swing that long a blade, I would get one for mine, and set Ron up with my IVO. ;stir; (I can't afford a wall hanger) ;bawl;

Dave

I'll be spinning three of dem blades in a week or two.... hahahaha

Yeah, yeah, yeah. :&&: :&&: :&&:

I would be doing the same, IF I had the HP. I'm still convinced that a large diameter, 3 blade prop, with a fairly high reduction drive is the way to go if you want a reasonably quiet Mini airboat.

But after discussing this with MANY people, (including you) I decided that this is THE prop for me. I may learn more later, but this is what I have for now. ;garfield;

I sure hope that the new Generac engine works out for 'ya. I've heard some good things about them...

Let us know.

Thanks,

Duane

I got the high reduction.... 2:1.... hopefully will back the motor RPM on down and spin a lot a of pitch in the three blade....

Duane,

I'll bet that prop will work out good for you. If I could swing that long a blade, I would get one for mine, and set Ron up with my IVO. ;stir; (I can't afford a wall hanger) ;bawl;

Dave

Buster,

I don't know about how much cage clearance you have, but you can get this prop in 63", 65", and 67". I don't know if either a 63", or 65" would work for you, but here's something to consider.

This is how I understand it from talking with Patti at Whirl Wind. Follow up with her if you want FACTS. ;thumb;

They use the same blades for all of the Mini Props. The "standard" prop is 65". It becomes a 67" by using an extended hub. (That's what I've got). The last 2" of the prop blade is solid. By using a standard hub, and cutting 1" off of the tip, they can produce a 63" prop.

From what I understand, these 3 lengths are available in both the 2 blade and 3 blade version. We don't have enough HP for the 3 blades though. ;bawl;

Why not give Patti a call, and see if they can help you? ;thumb;

Duane

Duane,

When I modded my transom, I had less than 1" prop clearance. I made up some 1/2" spacers to shim up the engine to it's present clearance of almost 1-1/2". 8-)

I don't want to raise the COG any more, in fact I'd like the drop it a bunch. I have been thinking about how I could do it. ;stir;

Thanks for the info anyway. ;thumb;

Dave

Duane,

When I modded my transom, I had less than 1" prop clearance. I made up some 1/2" spacers to shim up the engine to it's present clearance of almost 1-1/2". 8-)

I don't want to raise the COG any more, in fact I'd like the drop it a bunch. I have been thinking about how I could do it. ;stir;

Thanks for the info anyway. ;thumb;

Dave

Are you talking about TRANSOM clearance, or CAGE clearance?

With the 67" WW Mini Prop, the tips of the blades run "about" 3 1/2" BELOW the lip of my transom. But they are in front of it by a couple of inches. I've been told that that will not be a problem. My prop is ahead of the transom slightly. It sounds like yours may be directly above the transom.

Yeah, I know that the transoms on our boats are made completely different.

Duane

duane....

buster has an old tomcat/aircat hull which has the transom partially decked... so he does not have the luxury of dropping the tips below the top of the transom like we can on our hulls.... he also has very minimum transom height so cutting the decking out would leave in bad shape when he gets backwash as he slows down.

Duane,

I'm talking about transom to prop tip clearance. Remember my transom is about 18" wide front to back, and the prop is about centered on it. I would need to move the engine a long ways to clear it. ;rasta;

Dave

Buster,

I gotcha' ;thumb;

When I go back to look at your recent photos, it's clear. ;rasta;

Duane

Too many props. A problem I'd like to have!

Flathead

C'mon Duane pick up the pace. We want to see results! :P :P

Flathead,

Yeah, I know I'm slow... :oops:

Who ever said that I had too many props? ;garfield; I've only got 3. :roll:

I spent last Saturday searching the shop for my CHT gauge. I didn't find it. :?

This morning I started clearing out the shop. "I just KNOW it's here somewhere."

I finally found it, right where I'd put it "So I wouldn't forget where it is." DUH

Have you ever hidden something from yourself, when trying to make it easy to find later? :?

In the process of searching for the CHT gauge, I also found the thermocouples, automotive spark plugs, Accel plug wires, and the "mag to automotive wire" kit to install them. :o

Most of this stuff has now been installed, so that I CAN'T loose them again. ;thumb;

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/TullieD/DSCN0029.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/TullieD/DSCN0030.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/TullieD/DSCN0032.jpg

Dem bright yaller plug wires look nice on a stealth black engine, huh? ;garfield;

Kinda' makes it look like a hot rod Chevy. :o

With Autolite 386 spark plugs. :lol:

Duane

Raising hand on the hiding stuff from myself deal. I had a bag of zip ties that went missing for almost a year. They were also right where I put them. The latest is my sending unit for my oil pressure gauge. I know I put it somewhere safe and where I could find it easily.

Papee,

I found a LOT of lost stuff in my quest to find the CHT gauge. Pam claims that if I was more organized, I wouldn't have this problem. I don't know WHY she would have an idea like that...

Duane

Duane,

I spend a CONSIDERABLE amount of time looking for stuff that I put someplace so "I'd know where it was when I need it".

Don't feel bad, I think it happens to most of us ;rasta;

Dave

Duane I get that lecture every time the wife goes through the garage. Some times I think it is better to make sure there is no room for her to come in that way. She keeps buying me fastener bins. She often tells me to get rid of some of my fasteners. I get "why do you need all those screws"? Most I "acquired" over the years in the construction trade. Most are common stuff like 8d,16d, drywall screws of all sizes, metal screws, etc. I need them all. One of the local chain hardware stores use to have specials where they sold nuts and bolts by the pound. I wish someone would do that again so I can stock up on that stuff. I never have enough of the 7/16 stuff around.

Papee,

Just be careful that you NEVER refer to her "discussion" of something like this as a LECTURE. At least not where she can hear it. Words like whining, b_tching, and complaining are also VERY risky. :&&:

Don't even ask how I learned THAT lesson. ;bawl; I have emotional scars. :&&:

BTW, I bought a bag full of 7/16" fasteners just the other day. Guess what? I found 3 similar bags today. ;rasta;

Duane

Sometimes I want to throw out all the cr-p I have in my garage thinking I'll never use it anyway. But, you know, it seems every once in a while I stumble across something I need urgently but should have thrown out years ago....and am glad I didn't. I have a 30x56 pole barn that was really big when I built it but now is WAY TOO small.......... ;) ;)

Bruce

Flathead,

My pole barn is only 30 X 48, and I can't imagine how anyone could get by with anything smaller!

When I was younger I think I could have filled up a 100 X 200 barn if I had one ;rasta; ;rasta;

I have heard rumors that some members get by with only one small garage, but I don't know if I really believe those rumors :&&:

Dave

I have heard rumors that some members get by with only one small garage, but I don't know if I really believe those rumors :&&:

Dave

:&&:

You know how rumors go... I "know" a guy who's "shop" is so small that, even though it has a garage door, it could hardly be called a garage. Even if he emptied out ALL of the STUFF, he'd find it hard to park a mid-sized automobile in it. ;bawl;

But some folks have to make do with what they've got. ;stir;

I envy you guys with a big shop, but then, that's just more space to loose stuff in. :&&: :&&: :&&:

I once had a 20' x 40', and it got filled up with STUFF. STUFF that I no longer have. ;bawl;

Thanks,

Duane

No big deal,
Here's how you work out of a small garage. You just don't work inside, you work out of it!!
Heee Heee Heee
Don't get me wrong a big garage would be a HUGE Deal!!!

Bogger

Bogger,

When you work out of your shop like that, don't you sometimes have some of your stuff "walk away" when you're not there to keep an eye on it.?

Also, up here it would constantly be getting rained and snowed upon. That looks like too much stuff to put inside every night.

Dave

Buster,

Bogger's got it right. Some of us have to work outside of the shop. ;bawl;

Yep, there are some things that must stay outside, because it won't all fit inside. ;bawl;

So I at least try to put it all kinda' out of sight, and cover it to protect from the weather, behind the shop. It's a real PITA.

Part of why I've had such slow progress is having to work outside, and part of it is because it's a hassle to get things out, and then put them up afterward. I have lots of opportunities to work on the boat for a half hour, or an hour at a time, but it hardly seems worth the effort. ;bawl;

But I'll get there one day... don't give up on me. ;thumb;

Duane

Sometimes I forget what a 'luxury' it is to have an indoor shop to work in. I went for many, many years without one. Living in Minnesota, that can be real tough at times......

Take all the time you need Duane (but not a minute more) :D :D

Bruce

Hey Buster,
I always have to find a place to stash the big parts some ware out of sight. As far as the tools the all get locked up inside. Out of site, out of mind kind if thing. It also keeps me married that way. Fortunatly all the big parts are ont the boat now.
Bogger

Bogger,

I'm sure it's a big relief now that those parts are all bolted together, finally ;thumb; ;thumb;

Dave