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Q Series prop review

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8 cyl Continental gpu converted
Kylee Sue
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Anonymous

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I tried a 72" 2 blade Q series Sensenich today.

I can tell you, if you are running a direct drive engine and you don't have a Q series, you need to start saving your pennines.

I set it on 2 (where Sensenich likes to see them run) and was able to turn 2600 RPM. That might not sound like enough, but it is plenty. I never felt the need to turn it any higher.

It had at least as much snap as my 5 blade Warp Drive (probably more) and had a lot more push. I was able to run all around a cow pasture, even uphill. I could take off easliy from a stop at about 2300 RPM, which is saying a bunch with my heavy boat.

It is quite pleasant in the sound department. I was able to cruise on plane at just over 1500 in deep water. Running pretty fast through a shallow trail a few inches deep, I looked down and was amazed to be running about 1200 RPM. At these RPM's the prop is VERY quiet. It has a low growl with a pronounced whistling sound, but it is not loud. I don't think that many people could complain about the noise level.

It does have slightly more vibration just above idle and more torque roll than my Warp Drive, but not bad.

Long story short, the Q series is a winner. If you run a direct drive car engine or a/c, you will be very happy with a Q series, and the non-airboaters around you will be happier too.
 
Red, Glad to here the Q series worked for you. I Like the way mine pushes also. Are you going to come to the poker run on the 28th?

Dave
 
no Dave, I gotta save my funds so I can come to the wedding on the 18th
 
Hay Red

I just went from a two blade Q series to a three blade Q series and I was amazed at the differance I was all ready happy with the prop but the three blade set up is amazing I am going to be at the wedding on the 18th also I am going to be taking the wedding pictures for Matt and his wife to be look forward to meeting you.
 
Everything I read about that Q series prop sounds impressive. What are the advantages of the 3 blade over the two blade? I'm guessing less torque roll.

I've read good things about the H series 3 blade as well. It's a big investment, so, it's nice to know what a person should buy the first time. Especially since I live so far away. I think that 2 blade Q sounds pretty good though. I'll have to keep my eye out for one. Perhaps when everyone switches from the two blade Q to the three blade Q there will be more on the market used.
 
Des, I'm thinkin that I'm going to be under-propped with my new engine ....... I have a nearly new 72" three blade wide blade "Q", and I may be needing as much as a 76".

I run a belt drive, so it's the left hand rotation you'd need. If you're interested I'll let you know.

olf
 
They work and I love them! I'm glade your happy with it Red one thing nobody mentions and is major plus to me is I really enjoy the way they cruise their much quieter and you will save fuel. No other way to put it it's a more efficient prop! And the only way to know it is to run one! Your motor is probably stronger then most DD Small blocks and can utilize that prop better because a stock or weaker motor is about the only case where a warp Drive will run better.
 
Yes, Olf, I'd be interested as long as it's not out of my my price range. The boat I'm getting two weeks from now has a 72 x 32 wide blade wood prop now that he said would turn up to 3200 RPM but he cruises at 1500 rpm over 30 mph. The motor is a 220 GPU with a single mag. So, right now I'm not sure what prop would be best.

If I upgrade the motor later I think I'll go with the new cam and O470 jugs and a second mag. I'll just run it the way it is for awhile. I know I don't have room in my cage for the O-320 to run a 72 inch blade but maybe that would work on the 220 GPU. Any thoughts?

Red, you need to run the boat again at that area you were stuck in and see how this prop compares. It would be interesting to see the results.
 
Excellent info... Im running a 5 blade warp on my DD 454 at the moment, it is gonna need refinishing by the end of duck season this year. My question is what motor are you running. I may look in to swapping out if it is gonna mean better perfomance. right now Im getting 2900-3000 rpm. I really like the set up now but...

My main concern is if I have the horses to swing a wide blade.
 
Hay red have you seen any change in you fuel consumption since you put the Q series prop on ? it got beter for me I was wondering how it affected a boat with a direct drive
 
I'm sure he is talking about the medium blade Q series. It is the first one they came out with. We run one on a stock 455 Olds DD on the #2 and turn it 2900 rpm no problem. Whole lot more push than the 72x38 wood paddle and a bunch quieter.
 
Yes it is the medium Q series. The super wide is actually referred to by Sensenich as the "S Series"

Sniper, I haven't really run it enough to calculate the fuel consumption. My boat doesn't use much gas anyways, but I am definitely getting the same performance at less RPM with less throttle, so to me that spells better fuel economy.

Hogheaven, I have a built 383. You would be fine with a 72" Q series. What size Warp do you have now?

Des, I did go back by that spot where I got stuck to retrieve my pvc, but I was leary of trying it again. It looked even stickier than it was two days before, so I left well-enough alone.
 
Red,If like it where you have set now.When you get a chane try it one at 2750.And I dont think you will go back.
 
Yeah I thought I might....

Unfortunately, I have to give the prop back to my friend this week :cry:

I may buy one, but I really don't want to use that cash that I could save and buy a gearbox and Superwide prop with later.....

Decisions, decisions!
 
Red it depends on what you want to do with your boat and where yopu want to run it. You ran with us at KISS. and all that pullin up on the hill is quite expensive. yeah som eof us can run a lot of dry ground with a lot of passengers but that gets expensive in a hurry when you start factoring in the repairs to the hull and rigging. If you mess up and wreck or blow up well the numbers go up quick. So study on it because the next step is a big one.
 
I would imagine Sensenich would recommend either a 72 or 74" Q...like CNTRY says, give them a call and see.

My buddy had a 72" paddle prop on his stock direct 454 and it would push his 15' Rivermaster pretty good. The Q is miles ahead of a wood prop.....
 
HEY RED WHOS PROP DID YOU USE . I TOLD MY DAD ABOUT YOU TRYIN OUT THE Q SEIES AND NOW HE IS LOOKIN TO GET ONE OUR BOAT DOES GOOD WITH THAT 72X34 CANT WAIT FOR A CARBON FIBER PROP. ONE MORE YEAR LEFT IN THE NAVY THEN IM DONE.
 
A friend of mine, BR. He has one of Jimmy's wide hulls. Real nice boat.

Y'alls boat would do GREAT with a Q series on it. I saw it when it was parked on the point by the boat ramp. Your dad does real nice work 8)
 
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