Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350 chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane well. I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on it. I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer which I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

Try the Prop-It-Right section at
http://www.miwheel.com

Paul
www.jcruiser.org
"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the
experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350
chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not
going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane well.
I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to
the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the
prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The
number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on it.
I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer which
I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

"John" wrote in message ...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350 chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane well. I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on it. I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer which I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

Well ... did the boat perform better with THAT prop years ago? If so
then the problem is power/motor.

If not then go one pitch down from 17 to 16 which will up the rpm by
about 400. There are dealers who let you try props until you find one
that works as long as you buy at least one and you dont damage them.

Useing more efficient props (quality SS)is a good idea if there isnt
enough power..

Matt

I don't know how the boat performed years ago since I just bought it. The
person I bought it off of said her husband changed the prop last year after
hitting something and this was his spare. She believed he got it from a
buddy but could not tell me any more than that. I did some checking around
and found out the prop that is on there is a 15 3/4" x 17" pitch. I talked
to several prop shops and they all say that a 16 x 16 would perform much
better on that heavy of a boat. So I am going to buy one tomorrow and see
how it goes. I was told not to run a stainless prop on this boat because you
want the prop to be the weakest link. We do run into some low water
conditions around lake Erie this time of year and it is not uncommon to
whack something...which is another reason I need a spare prop. Like I said I
have been out of the boats for a long time so this is a getting reacquainted
time for me, so far I am having a blast. Thanks for the help
John
"Matt Lang" wrote in message
om...
"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the
experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350
chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not
going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane
well. I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to
the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the
prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The
number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on
it. I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer
which I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should
I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

Well ... did the boat perform better with THAT prop years ago? If so
then the problem is power/motor.

If not then go one pitch down from 17 to 16 which will up the rpm by
about 400. There are dealers who let you try props until you find one
that works as long as you buy at least one and you dont damage them.

Useing more efficient props (quality SS)is a good idea if there isnt
enough power..

Matt

Hi
Spend a little money and buy Dave Gerr's book on props.
It is well worth owning.

Al


"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the
experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350
chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not
going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane well.
I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to
the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the
prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The
number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on it.
I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer which
I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

Sorru I misread, I thought you had that boat 15 years ago ...

Well in this case the guy probably put the first prop on he could
find. Go to a shop which lets you try props until you find one that
works! And start with what they recommend. Otherwise you will burn
through money real quick.

If you are expecting to hit ground then yes stick with a cheap alu
prop, however if you hit hard enough there is a good chance it will
damage your lower unit or you will hit with your lower unit
altogether.

A SS prop will vibrate less than alu thus be easier on your drive
during normal conditions. I would prefer that but you might want to
start out with a cheap prop until you know where the shallow parts are
in your lake

Matt


"John" wrote in message ...
I don't know how the boat performed years ago since I just bought it. The
person I bought it off of said her husband changed the prop last year after
hitting something and this was his spare. She believed he got it from a
buddy but could not tell me any more than that. I did some checking around
and found out the prop that is on there is a 15 3/4" x 17" pitch. I talked
to several prop shops and they all say that a 16 x 16 would perform much
better on that heavy of a boat. So I am going to buy one tomorrow and see
how it goes. I was told not to run a stainless prop on this boat because you
want the prop to be the weakest link. We do run into some low water
conditions around lake Erie this time of year and it is not uncommon to
whack something...which is another reason I need a spare prop. Like I said I
have been out of the boats for a long time so this is a getting reacquainted
time for me, so far I am having a blast. Thanks for the help
John
"Matt Lang" wrote in message
om...
"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the
experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350
chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not
going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane
well. I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to
the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the
prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The
number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on
it. I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer
which I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should
I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John

Well ... did the boat perform better with THAT prop years ago? If so
then the problem is power/motor.

If not then go one pitch down from 17 to 16 which will up the rpm by
about 400. There are dealers who let you try props until you find one
that works as long as you buy at least one and you dont damage them.

Useing more efficient props (quality SS)is a good idea if there isnt
enough power..

Matt

Let me suggest a rebuilt aluminum prop to save a few bucks (bought one
myself here in Ottawa .... Black Max 23" pitch @ $120) and a breakaway hub
kit ... I found a pic here ...
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/MWC/MWC102.html ... and a spare hub for the
toolkit.


"John" wrote in message
...
Hello group.
I just bought a boat after being out of it for about 15 years so I am a
little rusty at some of this stuff so I thought I would turn to the
experts.
I have a 26' 1978 Sea Ray sundancer express cruiser with a 260 hp 350
chevy
engine. The boat engine will only put out about 4100 rpms if it is not
going
into the wind and might get up to 22 mph and does not seem to plane well.
I
thought it felt like it was not winding up like it should. According to
the
mercruiser book for the boat the max RPM should be 4600 RPM. I took the
prop
off today and it is a 17 pitch prop but I dont know the diameter. The
number
off the prop is 48-79572-17. I don't know what prop it should have on it.
I
called several Sea RAy dealers and they could not give me an answer which
I
thought was odd. I am wondering if it is over pitched and how far should I
drop it down? Thanks for any help you can offer.
John