Thread: Props??
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Wayne.B Wayne.B is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,536
Default Props??

On Wed, 26 Sep 2007 13:14:19 -0000,
wrote:

I just put a 25 horse on this boat:

http://yaimkool.com/images/brockway16-04.JPG

Now I need a prop. I know nothing about props, never had to even
change one (but I do know how). Where do I start, a dealer, online,
walmart?? Sizing, pitch, number of blades? I know nothing about them.
I do know that the boat cost 400 to build and the engine was leftover
from an old boat so I don't want to spend a lot of money for this
utility boat. The prop should cost less than the boat
Thanks in advance.


I just went through a prop sizing exercise with a 11 ft RIB dinghy and
a new Honda BF-20 4 stroke. The old engine was a Merc 15 2 stroke
which always popped the boat up a plane very quickly with 2 people,
and with a bit more time and effort, 3 people.

Initially the Honda was a big disappoinment even though it has 5 more
hp. It struggled to get 2 people on plane and totally refused with 3.
It came with a 4 bladed 10 x 10 prop. After talking to a Honda dealer
and trying several different props, I ended up with a 4 bladed 10 x 9
and with a Honda "Doel-fin" whale tale gizmo. The combination of the
two together has made all the difference in the world. It pops on
plane with two of us almost instantly. I haven't had a chance to try
it yet with 3 or 4 people yet but I'm sure it will be a big
improvement.

I've always been a bit skeptical about "Doel-fins" in general but it
seems to work well for a boat that needs help getting on plane. The
ride quality is smoother also.