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Best Prop for IO-540 / 300 HP?

FrogNutz

FrogNutz

Well-known member
I just bought a new (to me) airboat while I was home on leave and want to replace the wooden prop with a new composite. But I'm not really sure which one is the best for my particular set-up. I have a 13' 2" Gilileo Laser hull with slick bottom and a fuel injected 300 HP, angle valve 540. It runs the hill great the way that it is, but a buddy of mine has convinced me that a composite prop would do it with less stress on the motor. I've been out of airboating for 5 years now and it seems that a few things have changed. Any suggestions?
 
I run a 13x8 0540 for anglevalve with a 78" narrow blade. My boat is a little heavy and I run a big load in it so I like the longer prop. Either way the Sensinich is the way to go. Just out of curiosity what kind of wood prop are you turning and how hard.
 
Q series all the way. They are very light, so you will get a lot of throttle response. To me that's a good thing.

These props also push like mad, and they are remamrkably quiet.

So far, everyone on here that I recommended one of these has bought something else, but if you do get one, I promise you will not be dissapointed. It is the best thing I have added to my boat, and I was running a carbon fiber prop before.
 
The prop that I have on there now is a 76 x 34. I'm not sure what it will spin up to right now because the tach isn't working right. It seems to push it on dry ground with minimal effort. But, then again, I only got to take it out once before I left, and that was at night with dew on the ground.
 
That not a very big prop for your motor. Most 300hp 0540 runs a 72x42 up to 72x46 prop Your prop would be equal to a 72x38, You might want to check your tach and make sure that your not over spinning that prop. If not then to do a leak down on your motor, to make sure it is in good shape.
 
I thought the prop was a little small, too. I had a compression check run on the motor before I bought it and had good compression in all 6. The one time that I took it out I purposely kept my foot out of it until I have a chance to find out what it turns. It won't really matter anyway because by the time I get back home I'll have a new composite waiting for me.
 
You will be much happier with a composite prop no doubt about it. Just wondering what your prop you turn now. My suggestion is to while it is secure on the trailer see what she will turn. Could be that was a back up prop. Or that the previous owner believes in turning 3300 rpm :twisted:
 
Yeah, I really don't wanna be turning wood at 3300 RPM. I had a prop come apart on me one time years ago and tore the heck out of the right side of my boat. I really like the idea of a composite prop. Wish they'd had 'em years ago. The problem is convincing my wife why I "NEED" one now, when I ran wood for all of those years. :roll:
 
Call Bob Hoover and ask him about what WaterWalker/Powershift would be best for your setup. I'd say probably a 72" or 74" Siganture in either 3 blade or 2 blade respectively. He's would know though.

The Terminators are strong too but they aren't gonna win any low noise competitions.

Don't have any experience with the Sensenich's so I can't say anything about them.

Adam
 
I agree with BPS. Sensenich makes a very good prop. But I would call Bob Hoover (swampjet) before you make a decision. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to matching the right size prop for your motor. His ph# is 352-400-5131 Good luck to you. You will be happy with a new composite.
 
Most people that I know with an angle vavle 540 run the 74" Water Walker Signature, the 72" 3 blade H series Sensenich, or a 5 to 6 blade warp drive 68 to 72". One of them that runs the signature runs some of the toughest places around while hunting and loves the way that prop performes, swears by it and my dad's gpu runs real well with a 70" Signature as well.

Larry
 
the 76x34is about the same as 72x42. length is pitch . less length more pitch. It depends on what u want ? speed 3 blade narrow sensenich, push 2 or 3 blade Q blade. I build the sensenich props and I have a 2 blade Q on my o470 on a 14' laser.I had 3 bad cylinders ,used a case and a half of oil and still went all through the marsh at lake kissimmee. I haVE ran a 6 blade 72" warp drive , 72" Siganture and the 3 blade narrow and 3 blade Q sensenich. I love my 2 blade Q. It has crazy push and snap. U can go with one and if u don't like u can try the other one. Any question I'm here for my peps. we are always at the lake and are custumer service is top notch .u can ask anybody
 
I have an IO-540 w/ some goodies inside, it should make about 315-320 Horsepower. I havent got it going yet, waiting on the hull to be done, But I am going to try a 72" 6-blade Warp-Drive at frist, then the 74" 3-blade H-series Narrow. I hear the 3-blade is sweet!
 
ptr34":1rslkmmy said:
the 76x34is about the same as 72x42. length is pitch . less length more pitch. It depends on what u want ? speed 3 blade narrow sensenich, push 2 or 3 blade Q blade. I build the sensenich props and I have a 2 blade Q on my o470 on a 14' laser.I had 3 bad cylinders ,used a case and a half of oil and still went all through the marsh at lake kissimmee. I haVE ran a 6 blade 72" warp drive , 72" Siganture and the 3 blade narrow and 3 blade Q sensenich. I love my 2 blade Q. It has crazy push and snap. U can go with one and if u don't like u can try the other one. Any question I'm here for my peps. we are always at the lake and are custumer service is top notch .u can ask anybody
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No, (76x34) it is not about the same as (72x42). A (76x34) is about equivalent to a (72x38) Big difference.
 
What I'm looking for is maximum push on dry ground. Speed really means nothing to me. I want to be able to haul 2 of my fat huntin' buddies, with all of our gear and the biggest trophy buck to ever be harvested in the state of Florida (mine, not my buddy's :D ) outa the woods. That's what I'm looking for in a prop.
 
Well put there FrogNutz. I think that's exactly what we're all lookin' for. (except WT) :lol:
 
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