Piranha Composite Propellers

[Sea Wolf]

computer-rooter

Short answer-

!.) Basic prop: OEM Solas 3 blade aluminum. 15 inch pitch, about 13.5 to 13.75" diameter.

2.) Eliminate the first step and go directly to Solas 4 blade, 15 inch pitch, 13 inch diameter aluminum Amita prop- this is the best all around prop for this engine on a C-Dory, and probably is especially true considering the flat bottom of the Classic 22.

3.) Read endless prop discussions archived here, on other boating groups, and elsewhere in the known and unknown Universe. Come to same conclusions as above. Start over with #1 and proceed to #2.

4.) Don't like your results? Don't blame me! I've got a Yamaha! Instead complain to dogon dory Dan, a Suzuki guy ! Then find a Honda guy and chew him out good for not answering your questions.

5.) Drink six more cups of coffee and return to #3. Take the reading materials to the bathroom since you'll be spending most of the evening there.

6.) Look for used props on ebay. You can find the 3 blade OEM ones for about 1/2 price. Be sure to ask if they're dinged, like this post. You won't likely find the 4 blade Solas Amita there. Too prized to sell.

7.) Now get out the wax for your new prop. It MIGHT make it FASTER, or i t MIGHT make it SLOWER. Some offshore racers actually minutely rough up the back side of their props to get more grip (!!!) Go figure. Prop theory again. Skull it though all you want to and you still have a 70% chance of being wrong somewhere. Have several more of cups of coffee. It's gonna be a long night.

Joe.

[Casey]

Joe,

Very good reply!

Like DoD and others, I wish there was a more definite answer regarding the "which-is-the-best-prop-for-my-situation" question. But there are just SO many variables, it seems to take endless experimentation.

I guess you could say it's a fluid situation. (...er, er, er)

Just when you think you've arrived at prop-nirvana the paramaters change. ...you change the load/altitude/trim, etc. You collect all your performance data in fresh water - then go on a saltwater trip. Whatever.

But all-in-all, for some of us it's the fun of being anally retentive geeks trying to maximize the performance of our little adventure machines. Years ago we used to talk about how to get the best performance out of our prized 289/327/409cid engines; seems like yesterday. ...but it's still fun eh?

Maybe we should begin a thread on how to maximize C-Dory performance using a 10-20hp outboard! With the way gas prices are going we'll be there before we know it.

Anyway - thanks again for putting the prop variables in perspective!

Casey
C-Dory Naknek[/i]

[computer-rooter]

Luckly for me, I know that there is no end to some debates, and some, like spark plugs and motor oil, shouldn't be engaged in at all. I'd been reading pitches everywhere from 12" to 18", diameters of nearly the same range, etc. My local marine shop suggested a 16-pitch. The guys at the dock got into heated arguments about whether the 13.131214 3-blade was more efficient than the 13.545 4-blade, between 2100rpm and 2600rpm, except on Saturday, when they load up on halibut. I have no illusions about attaining perfection on my first experiment, I just needed a reasonable baseline to start chucking props at, since I had nothing at all and no clues.

The consensus seems to be the aluminum, 4-blade 14 or 15-pitch on a 13" diameter. Since the pitch seems to be the "final drive gearing" part of the equation, I'm going to start with the taller gear and try the 15-pitch. I'm prepared to make adjustments up or down from there.

Also, while studying up on shaft length and such, I got a close look at my existing prop on the suzuki 100 and discovered a ding in a blade. I don't remember striking anything, but one leading edge is definitely curled. Can I pound that flat again, does it need to see the doctor, or has this prop been ruined? Is it damaging something to run it like that? I do notice a little vibration in my feet at cruise revs.

[Sea Wolf]

computer-rooter

Standard fun tools for prop repair:

Vice
Big block of soft wood
big hammer- leather, wood, or rubber
series of files of increasing fineness
sandpaper-varing from about 120-400
black or while paint to hide what's left

You might have to take some off the other three blades to keep it balanced if it's really dinged.

About the only thing you can't do is weld it, unless you have the equipment.

Have fun!

Joe.

[computer-rooter]

[Sea Wolf]

computer-rooter-

Bad news two ways:

The 2 stroke Suzi 100 has a gear ratio of 2.08:1 and the Honda 90 four stroke 2.3:1 so the ratios are different, and it's unlikely the same prop pitch will run on both engines with the same boat, and

The Suzi and Honda have different hubs, so unless you buy a prop with a replaceable hub (of which there a quite a few), you've got that problem, too.

??????? Joe.

[computer-rooter]

[Mr. Fisherman]

Now that the dog gone thing is on where is the dog gone data?
I am spinning the big 20 pitch with my Suzy 90 and I love it but I may step down a bit to conserve a little fuel.
The Suzuki 90 was the only one in it's class that would turn that 20 pitch screw and it pops my loaded for Tuna Angler with 4 adults (Supersized) a teenager (XL), 500# of ice, 400# of Tuna and all our dear up on plane without any problem at all.
I am interested in this 4 blade prop so please do share...

Is this an adjustable pitch prop?

Esplaine please...

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Mr. Fisherman]

This ain't cat food buddy.... no sir. In fact I ran out of Tuna this year and thank goodness for friends cause one of them gave me a case of shorts.

The Albacore we catch in the Pac NW is the best in the ocean.

If we should ever cross paths you will have to taste some for yourself.
Those who have tasted my torched Tuna treats always ask em to make em again, and they go faster than I can make them. The smell of hair burned off the hands of those reaching in early to grab them doesn't even put people off and I am starting to get used to it (joking).

Looking forward to the data.

By the way, 400# split 3 ways goes faster than you can imagine.
Tuna is good.... if you have never had home canned, you have been eating cat food. Not that there is anything wrong with cat food, it's just that when you figure out it is cat food you tend to feed it to cats.... or maybe your inlaws... and that is only because they were outlaws before they were inlaws... .

[computer-rooter]

My brother commercial fishes tuna, crab, and salmon out of Florence, OR. for his fish store and restaraunt. Sometimes, if I'm REALLY good, he sends me a can of his private label tuna or even better -- tuna pepperoni. I agree that anything less is really cat food, and that NW tuna is the best there is!

I didn't think a c-dory had the range to get out to the tuna though. I have a 50gal main tank and about 18gal in reserve, and with my fuel economy, I limit myself to 100 miles round trip on the main engine. How do you manage?

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Mr. Fisherman]

[dogon dory]

Sorry, Folks - Post Deleted By Author

[Mr. Fisherman]