Prop Selection

[Destroyer]

I have a 78 with a 200 Johnson on it. 43 seems a little slow. You might want to weigh your boat and compare it to the original specs. (allow for any gas in the tank) Waterlogged foam can add a considerable amount of weight and slow your boat accordingly.

As to the props, what TheFermanator said is good advice. Just remember if switching to a SS prop that SS flexes less than Alum, so normally you move down a pitch or two when switching. (So a 17P Alum becomes a 16P SS).

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

I have a 78 with a 200 Johnson on it. 43 seems a little slow. You might want to weigh your boat and compare it to the original specs. (allow for any gas in the tank) Waterlogged foam can add a considerable amount of weight and slow your boat accordingly.

As to the props, what TheFermanator said is good advice. Just remember if switching to a SS prop that SS flexes less than Alum, so normally you move down a pitch or two when switching. (So a 17P Alum becomes a 16P SS).

His current prop is an OLD MERCURY 3 blade 18 pitch aluminum, I would expect a 2-5 mph increase in speed with most any decent stainless prop over an old tech aluminum. Aluminum has gotten better through the years, but his aint one of the better ones.

[Duke01]

Thanks Destroyer and Thefermanator...the existing prop has a bent blade and a another blade with a chip in it, so that might explain the reported max speed of 43 from the previous owner. I suspect that the speed was recorded from the dash speedometer. I am curious to see what the impact of a new prop will be and will follow-up in the summer after launch. I will note GPS speed measurements.

Regarding the weight, the brochures call out a weight of 1920 lbs, with an associated max hp of 200. Not sure how accurate that is (?). In 1989 and thereafter, the brochures noted a weight of 2300, with and an increase in max hp to 235 (if I remember correctly). Any idea which is more accurate?

Thanks, Duke

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Duke01

Thanks Destroyer and Thefermanator...the existing prop has a bent blade and a another blade with a chip in it, so that might explain the reported max speed of 43 from the previous owner. I suspect that the speed was recorded from the dash speedometer. I am curious to see what the impact of a new prop will be and will follow-up in the summer after launch. I will note GPS speed measurements.

Regarding the weight, the brochures call out a weight of 1920 lbs, with an associated max hp of 200. Not sure how accurate that is (?). In 1989 and thereafter, the brochures noted a weight of 2300, with and an increase in max hp to 235 (if I remember correctly). Any idea which is more accurate?

Thanks, Duke

Use the brochure that's the closest to your boat's year. Throughout the years Wellcraft was constantly modifying the hull, stringers, materials etc. so both of those brochures are probably correct. Added thickness of the transom for the extra HP, thicker stringers, larger gas tank, etc.... all of those things can and probably did change the weight.

[Duke01]

Okay, thanks for following up...

Duke

[reelapeelin]

I was thinking the 1920lb spec referred to dry hull (no gas in the tank and no motor)...earlier hulls allowed 235 HP, but later hulls like my '95 V21 only allowed 200 which always seemed odd to me. My best prop experience was a 17x15.25x3 SS by Power Tech...on a 150 Honda topped out at 42 and easily and economically cruised at 30. Generally a 4 blade prop has stern lifting characteristics which is good cuz V20s ride a bit bow high and like Ferm sez, may drop a couple of MPH off the top end. A good friend of mine has a 250 Verado on a 24 Everglades and loves his 4 blader...

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

I was thinking the 1920lb spec referred to dry hull (no gas in the tank and no motor)...earlier hulls allowed 235 HP, but later hulls like my '95 V21 only allowed 200 which always seemed odd to me. My best prop experience was a 17x15.25x3 SS by Power Tech...on a 150 Honda topped out at 42 and easily and economically cruised at 30. Generally a 4 blade prop has stern lifting characteristics which is good cuz V20s ride a bit bow high and like Ferm sez, may drop a couple of MPH off the top end. A good friend of mine has a 250 Verado on a 24 Everglades and loves his 4 blader...

Some hulls run faster with 4 blades, each boat is different. My 19 carolina skiff picked up almost 3 mph going from a 3 blade 17 pitch solas to a 4 blade 17 pitch solas. My hydrasports liked a large diameter 3 blade. Kept the same top end, but picked up big time in the cruise area. Many people would be shocked if they got with aprop shop and tried out some different props. Many think thete boats have quirks to them that may just be the prop. Others have fallen in love with there boats again after repropping. You just don't know unless you've taken it out and trief a half dozen different props. Sometimes all you need is a pitch change of just an inch to transform there boat, and other times they need a completely different prop. 4 strokes seem to do best with props that provide extra stern lift due to there heavier weights, so they like 4 blades.

As to the drop in HP for the V-21, it had to do with the euro transom change. Boats with a flat transom were rated at 235(except early hulls before the 235 existed), but the v-21 euro transom was only 200hp. And it also had to do with the change from flywheel hp ratings to propshaft. The old 235's were flywheel rated, and became a 185hp when they went to prop shaft rating.

[Duke01]

I finally had my V-20 on the water 2 weeks ago. Wide open a ran at 41 mph (gps measured). 5 people on board, 3/4 tank of gas. Not bad. It is a fun boat, but more work to do.

Thanks Duke

[randlemanboater]

Cool deal, glad you have her out on the water!