Propeller change (again)

[Duane Scarborough]

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. 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) 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. 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....

Thanks,

Duane

[buster]

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

[Papee]

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

[Duane Scarborough]

Papee, and Buster,

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

Thanks,

Duane

[Duane Scarborough]

Hey guys,

The 67" Whirl Wind Mini Prop showed up today.

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



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.



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.

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

Duane

[brlcla]

did you spin it up with high pitch?

[Duane Scarborough]

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.

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.

So, how's your boat going?

Thanks,

Duane

[brlcla]

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....

[buster]

Duane,

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

Dave

[brlcla]

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

[Duane Scarborough]

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

[buster]

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. (I can't afford a wall hanger)

Dave

[brlcla]

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

[Duane Scarborough]

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.

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

[brlcla]

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 Scarborough]

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. (I can't afford a wall hanger)

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.

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.

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

Duane

[buster]

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".

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.

Thanks for the info anyway.

Dave

[Duane Scarborough]

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".

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.

Thanks for the info anyway.

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

[brlcla]

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.

[buster]

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.

Dave