INBOARD PROP QUESTION

[Gary Hill]

I'm in the process of repowering my 1976 inboard from the oringal mercuriser 233 to a 310 HP 350 Marine Power and I have a prop question since the Seacraft book show's that it came with a 16 X 17 prop, and I was told the prop on the boat was a 17 x 17 which would turn 3800 (motor spec's required 38K to 42K), I was wondering if someone has the similiar set up for a starting point? I plan on using Jerry's Prop Co. to start with but would like to keep the prop changes to a minium. I hav a right hand motor for sale and trans,if anyone is interested. Motor has good compression and most new bolt on item's, trans had a rear seal leak is the reason I pulled it out and then decided to update. I would like to hear the thought's on 4 blade Vs 3 blade benefit's.

[GetReel]

There is a thread on this somewhere...My records indicate 16 x 17 3 blade, w 5* cup as original equipment. I replaced last year with a 17 x 16 4 blade, LH bronze. Hole shot is way better and cruise improved, but lost some RPM on the top end,,,plus it was "loud"...the wheel was a little "fat", so I had it cut down to a 16 x 16 and seems to be ok, but still evaluating. THe four blades dont's come smaller,,,so those of us that have done it have had to get it "cut down"...slow speed handling is very improved by the way.

[Gary Hill]

Thank's Jeff, I talk to Craig Miles "MILES OFFSHORE" all the time and he put the same prop on his I beleive, and has a little bit of noise in the tunnel, I hope to have the motor in this week. I ended up repairing the shaft log etc. with the back deck up. Did you leave the cup in?

[GetReel]

I left the 5* in as I didn't know it was there...anyway, there is some tunnel noise generated over and above the 3 blade, it was REALLY loud before I cut it down to 16...I put the PSS dripless shaft log in and it has worked well so far. Craig seems to be ahead of me on this one.

[Gary Hill]

Jeff, is your boat the old White Hawk from FL (I saw a clipping on it a few year's back)? I had to redo the shaft log for a second time-found a air pocet in it while down sizing to fit the Hose.

[GetReel]

Not me, I found my boat in 2000 in Long Island NY from the original owner and in original condition with original Ford 351...i put in new shaft, prop and dripless shaft log seal last year, repowered in 2001, repaint 2002...

[MarkR]

Jeff, was the original power mercruiser or crusader? Borg warner trans?

[Gary Hill]

Mark, I know you didn't ask me but mine was oringinal 233 HP Merc., going with GM 350, 315 HP Carb ( carb due to alot of changes required to use fuel injection), about done modifying stinger's to get the proper angle for the shaft log on this marine pwer sport pack. Borg Warner Velvet drive trans., going back with the same.