Prop Advice

[Woodsy]

I have to disagree here guys....

1st... No single prop outdrive is going to match the holeshot and mid range performance of duo-prop design.

2nd... Going from an aluminum prop to a SST prop might net you 1-2 MPH top end with A LOT OF TESTING but there will be drawbacks. Think of propellers as gears... Everything is a compromise. You can gear it for max RPM and speed, but you lose holeshot. You can gear it for holeshot but you lose top end. In the end its always a compromise.

3rd... Shreddy mentioned his boat is a 94 and has an OMC drive. OMC went out of business in 98-99. They haven't been in business for 18 years. So his boat/motor combo is 23 years old. My guess is the engine probably has 800-900 hours (40 hours per year on average). The motor and outdrive are tired and not making peak HP/Torque. A mistake changing a prop could cause an outdrive or engine failure...

If I were Shreddy (and not ready to totally throw in the towel) I would figure out what prop originally came with the boat, and what do I currently have on the boat. Then I would go look for a similar pitch/rake/OD prop in SST. If you go to a four blade, drop 1" of pitch to start. Merc makes the hub kits so you can use a Merc prop on an OMC drive. This gives you tons of choices. But.... a new SST prop will run ya $450-$500 or so depending.

Woodsy

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

I have to disagree here guys....

1st... No single prop outdrive is going to match the holeshot and mid range performance of duo-prop design.

2nd... Going from an aluminum prop to a SST prop might net you 1-2 MPH top end with A LOT OF TESTING but there will be drawbacks. Think of propellers as gears... Everything is a compromise. You can gear it for max RPM and speed, but you lose holeshot. You can gear it for holeshot but you lose top end. In the end its always a compromise.

3rd... Shreddy mentioned his boat is a 94 and has an OMC drive. OMC went out of business in 98-99. They haven't been in business for 18 years. So his boat/motor combo is 23 years old. My guess is the engine probably has 800-900 hours (40 hours per year on average). The motor and outdrive are tired and not making peak HP/Torque. A mistake changing a prop could cause an outdrive or engine failure...

If I were Shreddy (and not ready to totally throw in the towel) I would figure out what prop originally came with the boat, and what do I currently have on the boat. Then I would go look for a similar pitch/rake/OD prop in SST. If you go to a four blade, drop 1" of pitch to start. Merc makes the hub kits so you can use a Merc prop on an OMC drive. This gives you tons of choices. But.... a new SST prop will run ya $450-$500 or so depending.

Woodsy

Your post a few up was the advice I was originally looking for (could a change from aluminum to SST help). I know my outdrive was not setup the same as the Volvo my brother in law has. Yes, I mistakenly said steel when I meant aluminum. I have a painted aluminum three blade and know that could be better situated with a stainless steel prop due to less flex.

I don't really care that much about top speed, I just dislike that when I get the boat going say 30+ I feel like she's working pretty hard. Boat really doesn't have issue planing out, even with the number of people I throw in there, but would be nice to have a bit more.

Yes - old school OMC. Kept it great shape. Overall the boat is a strong 8, low 9 overall on interior and exterior. The biggest benefit is that it still rides like a dream and hands wakes and chop better than most bigger boats. Like I said originally, the model year I have is apparently the largest they made the 220 horizon for some reason. Was told this by Melvin Village way back when looking to upgrade my trailer.

Engine hours are actually around 500ish. The boat was purchased about 8-10 years ago from and older couple in their 70s that didn't use it much and putted around here and there. They were family friends.

I figure $4-500 on a prop would be enough of a "face lift" to hold off on a new rig for another year or two. Unfortunately, I'm itching for the H260 or a 24-27' er.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Your post a few up was the advice I was originally looking for (could a change from aluminum to SST help). I know my outdrive was not setup the same as the Volvo my brother in law has. Yes, I mistakenly said steel when I meant aluminum. I have a painted aluminum three blade and know that could be better situated with a stainless steel prop due to less flex.

I don't really care that much about top speed, I just dislike that when I get the boat going say 30+ I feel like she's working pretty hard. Boat really doesn't have issue planing out, even with the number of people I throw in there, but would be nice to have a bit more.

Yes - old school OMC. Kept it great shape. Overall the boat is a strong 8, low 9 overall on interior and exterior. The biggest benefit is that it still rides like a dream and hands wakes and chop better than most bigger boats. Like I said originally, the model year I have is apparently the largest they made the 220 horizon for some reason. Was told this by Melvin Village way back when looking to upgrade my trailer.

Engine hours are actually around 500ish. The boat was purchased about 8-10 years ago from and older couple in their 70s that didn't use it much and putted around here and there. They were family friends.

I figure $4-500 on a prop would be enough of a "face lift" to hold off on a new rig for another year or two. Unfortunately, I'm itching for the H260 or a 24-27' er.

A 1994 OMC drive is likely a Cobra SX. Those are the same as the Volvo Penta SX of the same vintage and parts are and will continue to be readily available. If you like the boat, it's in great shape, and it runs great, a new prop may make you love the boat and save you a lot of money.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Dave R

A 1994 OMC drive is likely a Cobra SX. Those are the same as the Volvo Penta SX of the same vintage and parts are and will continue to be readily available. If you like the boat, it's in great shape, and it runs great, a new prop may make you love the boat and save you a lot of money.

Thanks - that's what I'm thinking. Would love to invest in something newer, but this boat is in great shape, very spacious (fits 10 comfortably) and handles chop and wakes extremely well, especially with the trim tabs.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Thanks - that's what I'm thinking. Would love to invest in something newer, but this boat is in great shape, very spacious (fits 10 comfortably) and handles chop and wakes extremely well, especially with the trim tabs.

Ever try putting the tabs all the way down and throttling up in chop? In typical Winni chop, my boat loves the drive trim up, trim tabs all the way down, and throttle set for a 30-35 MPH cruise. It slices through the waves better at that speed than it does at 20-25.

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

I figure $4-500 on a prop would be enough of a "face lift" to hold off on a new rig for another year or two.

I have a variety of props for my OMC you're welcome to try, including a 19" pitch 3-blade stainless steel prop and a 18" pitch 4-blade aluminum. My boat is a 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 with a 5.8L Cobra drive. PM me if you're interested.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by DBreskin

I have a variety of props for my OMC you're welcome to try, including a 19" pitch 3-blade stainless steel prop and a 18" pitch 4-blade aluminum. My boat is a 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 with a 5.8L Cobra drive. PM me if you're interested.

So I confirmed, mine is also a '92 (not a '94) and has an OMC. Until I uncrover the boat for the spring, I won't have more details but certainly a start. I'll send you a PM because this may be the stuff I am looking for! Very much appreciated!

[robmac]

one thing to remember an aluminum is far more forgiving on your outdrive than stainless if you happen to find something in the water

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by robmac

one thing to remember an aluminum is far more forgiving on your outdrive than stainless if you happen to find something in the water

Understood. Been navigating the lake for 20+ years so very familiar with the surroundings and understand the impact of hitting with SS v. aluminum

[SummerIslander]

If you're looking for better driveability under varying loads at lower cruising speeds, and NOT top speed, a 4-blade prop is a good choice. A 4-blade has more "grip" on the water and will definitely help you plane faster and stay on plane at lower speeds and under heavy loads. It improves low and middle-range acceleration. A 4-blade also helps with watersports because you can hold it on the edge of plane at lower speeds without falling back off plane, typically 2-3 mph slower than with a 3-blade prop. That can also mean a lower cruising speed on plane if you want to drive around in a leisurely fashion. The speed reduction for an equivalent 4-blade is around 3-4 mph at top end for most boats.

On my 20ft 1977 bowrider (2800 lbs displacement, 200hp v8), I went from a 19" pitch 3-blade to an 18" pitch 4-blade and got the results described above.

An equivalent 4-blade prop is one pitch size smaller than a 3-blade (for some reason the 4-blades come in even pitch size #s, 3-blade in odd pitch size #s), so for instance if you have a 19" 3-blade now, try a 18" 4-blade and see if you like it.

Aluminum is the way to go on Winni with all the rocks, at least where I am and with various family boat drivers with rocks their heads. Cheaper and repairable too.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by SummerIslander

I
Aluminum is the way to go on Winni with all the rocks, at least where I am and with various family boat drivers with rocks their heads. Cheaper and repairable too.

I hear that (love the rocks in their heads!!), but for better performance, especially with a V8, SS deflects far less.

[Shreddy]

Problem solved. Bought a new boat...has stainless

[robmac]

Congrats on your new boat! Hope you make new memories with family and friends out on the water

[Rich]

Nice! What did you buy!

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Rich

Nice! What did you buy!

Four Winns 240 Horizon (2006). Very happy with the upgrade and looking to put her in the water this weekend hopefully. I had no complaints with my earlier model, just wanted something a bit newer, more efficient, and better features.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Four Winns 240 Horizon (2006). Very happy with the upgrade and looking to put her in the water this weekend hopefully. I had no complaints with my earlier model, just wanted something a bit newer, more efficient, and better features.

Congrats! Don't expect a massive difference in efficiency. The 240 will likely use more fuel per mile than your old 220 since it's heavier.

[Shreddy]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Congrats! Don't expect a massive difference in efficiency. The 240 will likely use more fuel per mile than your old 220 since it's heavier.

Thanks, definitely not too worried about that aspect. I've always been of the mindset that if you can't afford the tank of gas, you can't afford the toy. Efficiency - I was looking for more of a cleaner drive, a bit faster, a bit smoother (although, now that I think back, the 92 is actually pretty smooth).

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Shreddy

Thanks, definitely not too worried about that aspect. I've always been of the mindset that if you can't afford the tank of gas, you can't afford the toy. Efficiency - I was looking for more of a cleaner drive, a bit faster, a bit smoother (although, now that I think back, the 92 is actually pretty smooth).

Longer and heavier should make it smoother. HP makes it faster. Did you get a lot more power?