XF20 what pitch 4 blade

[redfish55]

Planning on a powertech 4-blade. Got a 40hp yamaha. Any help with a starting pitch would be appreciated.

[Bayport_Bob]

Talk to Ron at Central Florida Props...

http://www.centralfloridaprops.com/

(321) 453-0017

He carries, repairs, & customizes Powertech's as well as most others. He also has decent prices, a great reputation, and expert knowledge of shallow running prop performance.

[redfish55]

Called Ron and he fixed me up with a 4-blade powertec.

[stickystuff]

First off, what size prop are you running right now? If you are runing 13" pitch go with the power tech 4 blade tripple cup. This is a hell of aprop and will get you one hell of a hole shot plus should stop your cavitation. It has a lot of meat on it and you can run through the oyster bars and keep going. The number is PFS 4R12POM 140. Get a price from Coastal and I will beat their price . They list it from power tech direct around $524. I might be off $10.00 one way or the other. I can save you around $100 off list price. Send me e-mail if interested.
oken@bellsouth.net

[redfish55]

Thanks for the information.

I have already ordered one from Ron. 4-blade powertec and he is going to put extra cup in it. Don't know the part number. I'll try it and get back to you.

Looks like everyone has the same problem with the boat cavitation. Where I am, with all the rocks, being able to get the prop up in the tunnel is worth a little aggravation with cavitation.

If it is really bad I'll probably go with a larger motor and a jet foot. It seem that Springhillsteve doesn't have these problems with his jet.

Oh well I only bought the boat as a beater boat for the rivers and creeks around the St. Marks and Aucilla rivers. It will be fine for where I want to use it and it will allow me to keep my bay boat out of these destructive environments.

[timoub007]

I don't know if you saw my reply to your other post, but you should try venting the tunnel before you go to the expense of repowering. If it doesn't work any better you can always plug it.

I'm running a little 4 blade PowerTech on my GF-16 as well.

Tim

[stickystuff]

I built the Ph15 all foam version for a customer in Jacksonville. Running a 50 HP E-Tech engine with a power tech 4 blade prop. Running straight out on flat calm water it would lose bite and cavitate. Talked to Jeff Whidden at Power Tech and explained the problem This is how the tripple cup 4 blade came into play. Ordered prop one size smaller and it did the job. Jumps out of the hole quicker and runs out without cavitation any more. Actually picked up 2 more miles per hour. Great prop and has lots of meat in it. Captain Hendersen uses this prop for his Micro Draft skiffs. We used his boat as a guide when Jacques and I designed the XF20.

[redfish55]

I'll check with Ron tomorrow and see exactly which Powertec he has ordered. If he hasn't got the right one ordered I'll try to change it. Hope he has the right one or that I have caught it in time.

What do you mean by one size smaller.

I think mine is a 10.5" dia. 13" pitch.

[stickystuff]

Usually when you run a 4 blade you have to downsize one size. You are turning a lot of wheel which causes stress on your engine. In order to keep the RPM's up you drop one size. In your case go to a 12" pitch.

10.5 X 12

[stickystuff]

When you built your Xf 20 did you keep it light as the plans show or did you add floor and extra goodies weight wise?40 will prob. work as plans drawn. Will not be fast but will keep you shallow running.What type of jack plate did you end up with. Hope not a Detwiller. they weigh in around 65#. Bobs weigh in at 35#