Props for 290 Tournament Master

[tomcat]

Can anybody tell me what size props the 290 w/ 454's left the factory with?
When I bought mine it was sverely over propped with 2 20  x  21 4 blades. The boat won't do over 2800 rpm and 14 kts. The prop shop here ran a program that specified 3 blade 15  x  16 but thet seem s small to me. I'm thinking 17" 3 blades, maybe 16 or 17 pitch. Does anyone have first hand knowledge.

[wingtime]

20 x 21 sounds like a BIG wheel.  What ratio transmissions do you have?

[Dan Wade]

I have the same boat with twin 454's, I could have my diver take a look next time he cleans the bottom.

Dan

[tomcat]

Thanks Dan, but not necessary. I found two 17 X 15 brass props thet looked like they have never seen the water on Craigslist for $325.00. Puit them on the other day and what a difference. The motors are rated at 4400 rpm. I stopped at 4600 rpm. The props could probably use an inch or two more pitch but I mam satisfied for now. She cruises at 15-17 kts. @ 2600 rpm with a comfortble noise level and little vibration.

Thanks anyway for the offer. tell me about your 29.

Mark

[fisheadgib]

I had no idea they came from the factory with big blocks in them also. When I bought mine, I looked at another one that had 502's in it but the owner said he had them installed because the 304's that he bought it with were sluggish. Mine has 5.7's (350's) in it and I'm still trying to get it propped right. I just put a set of 18x17's on it and haven't had a chance to run it yet. From calling all over the east coast, I learned that this was the prop that it left the factory with.

[tomcat]

It does get confusing because the boat left the factory with so many motor options. I guess each one is a little different depending on accessories and weight distribution. After running with my new props several times this past week, I think this winter I will have an inch of pitch added to finish them off @ 17 X 16.
I can relate to the owner who thought the boat was sluggish with the small blocks. I like the boat, but for a 9500 lb. boat they don't seem to move the way they should with these large engines. Not an expert, just my opinion.

[Rocketpip]

I also have the twin 350's and dont know what the best prop or pitch would be.
Had her out for the first time in Vancouver BC. On the GPS she does 35kn @ 3200 rpm. Is this good?
Had a bunch of throttle left but figured that 3200 was pleanty.
Seems like she should plane but really I have no idea.
I guess I'm used to a ski boat.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thx!

[SaltH2OHokie]

I also have the twin 350's and dont know what the best prop or pitch would be.
Had her out for the first time in Vancouver BC. On the GPS she does 35kn @ 3200 rpm. Is this good?
Had a bunch of throttle left but figured that 3200 was pleanty.
Seems like she should plane but really I have no idea.
I guess I'm used to a ski boat.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thx!

35knts at 3200rpm in a 30ft boat with twin gas small blocks? Surely there is a typo somewhere? If not, I need to know the details of your setup so I can mock it exactly.

[SaltH2OHokie]

I have no baseline numbers (boat was on one motor when I bought it) but my current props are 17x20. I'll report back with numbers as soon as I run it on 2 motors...prop guy said more pitch...but you guys numbers seem lower than mine.

Time will tell.

[Rocketpip]

Yup that was wrong.
35 km/hr not kn
Sorry.

[SaltH2OHokie]

To update: Full fuel, full load of guys (5-6 of us) headed offshore.  Props *marked* 17x20.  

Seeing 17-18kt at 3200RPM, 26kt top.

Was hoping for better.  Hoping my prop guy can work some magic and get me a little closer to a 23-25kt cruise (dreaming, I know...but I gotta have hope.)

Nets me a .7mpg average on a trip that sees 65-70nm run to fishing, trolling 20 miles or so, 65-70nm home.  

That mileage also stinks.  Overall the speed/efficiency of this boat has left me a little disappointed...but I'm hoping some prop work will improve that.  Doing that this winter, will report back.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Bought new wheels yesterday...brand new, in box, coated with Prop-speed and came with another applications worth of Prop-speed for about 1/3 the cost of new (owner bought new wheels, but sold the boat before he ever installed them...got sick of trying to sell them for 20% off of new and just kept dropping the price on craigslist...till I bit).

Hoping to put them on this weekend and see what I get, but they're 19x19, so I'm thinking I'll be over propped.  Prop shop said they're close enough to work with given the price.

Just figured I'd post it somewhere since my wife doesn't seem very excited  

[SaltH2OHokie]

Don't have any updated fuel numbers, but I'm now seeing 18-19knt at 3,000RPM and 20-21 at 3,200RPM, which is a definite improvement.

[beaker]

18x18s seem good enough with my small blocks.21knots at 3200..28knots at 4300