72x45 prop

[Duxunlimited]

to those who responded to my questions--I guess what I really want to know is and my biggest concern is with th set up I'm building --will the prop I have 72x45 work well with the setup. someone please explain the concern about deep water???I already know most of the do's and dont's while driving the boat.my friend had this boat and we duck hunted out of it for three years---I respect the boat and what it will do and wont do--I learned that lesson the first time he let me drive his boat.going up a creek bed and I didnt realize the turn was going to be so sharp--at that point I thought the smart thing to do(in my mind)was to get off the gas---wrong answer!!we went head on into the bank--even though my friend had already been over this time and time again, to get on the gas--i still did the opposite--so I learned.this boat was already running a 454 chevy bb and it ran well and handled well but he had a 2:1 belt drive--my set up will be direct drive---I know someone on this forum has got to be running a 13 1/2 ft boat 8 ft wide fiberglass with 454 direct drive--and all I want to know is --what prop (pitch)are they using--my friend when he had this same boat was running a 78x56 paddle propwith the 2:1--

is the 72x45 stick prop gonna work for me on my set up--before i put this all togethr just to find out I shuold of gone another route--yes I KNOW THE WAY TO GO IS THE 2:1--but because of funds i have to go direct drive for now.thanks in advance for anyones input.

 

[blackpowderscout]

What are you expecting to do with your boat?? Duck Hunting encompasses many things in my mind. Will you stay in the water, do you want or have to run long stretches of dry ground, etc., etc.

I have a 74X32 FAP but its on a 0470 and I need a little more pitch. I don't know a lot about car motor boats but I would guess for max performance you'd want more. But, if all you expect to do is scoot around on the water and not run LOTS of ground then your prop would probably work for now.

Adam

 

[blackpowderscout]

Here is a link to Tim Wagman's shop. He makes the FAP wood props. It recommends a DD 454 have a 72x40 so you'll probably be ok. Don't be scared to call him and get his opinion, he don't bite

http://www.floridaairboatpropellers.com/

Adam

 

[Duxunlimited]

blackpowder;

this boat is going to be used for duck hunting on open water in lakes and in the bay--we hunt mostly in slews on the back side of the lake --maybe two or 3 inches of water--run across a small sand bar or two and plenty of mud.

 

[rbjscott]

The 72X45 will be close. I think it has too many inches of pitch, a 40 or 42 is my guess. Blackpouderscout is correct-- call a manufacture.Is it a wide or narrow blade, just make sure?

 

[Duxunlimited]

rbjscott;

its a stick prop(skinny)hey i tried to e-mail you last nite and it cam back to me as a failure--said your mail box was full????

 

[Anonymous]

454 should turn that prop ok.

8' wide hull will help in deep water. Does it have deep sides?

Be careful when coming to a stop in deep water, the wake wants to come over the transom. Blip the throttle before it has a chance to come over.

There are some other threads on here about running deep water and general handling of an airboat. Search them out, good reading

 

[Whitebear]

Back in the day I was making airboats we used 70-44s for our 455 DD Buicks. The shorter prop gave a little less torque roll and the 44 inches of pitch let it rev at top end, seems I remember them being able to go to about 3200 RPM. Once we go them to do that we slightly detuned things to a more reasonable 2950 -3000 RPM. With that prop they had loads of snap and easy dry running ability.

Another plus of the shorter prop was when ya crunched a cage it had to crunch further to bite the prop.

 

[Anonymous]

If you find yourself in a situation in deep water where you think you've slowed down too quick, just make a hard turn and come back up over your wake. Saved this stupid man more than a couple of times. That deep hole in the water behind the transom is not your friend.

BF